Winter is coming and it’s time to start thinking about how to winterize your deck before the cold & wet weather sets in.
The harsh winter season can take a toll on your deck, so if you want your investment to last, winterizing your deck is a must. Winterizing your deck can be as simple as clearing and cleaning it; however if your deck is more than a few years old, it may require more attention.
Remove Planters and Furniture
Wash outdoor furniture and, if possible, store indoors to avoid leaving marks on the decking from rust or weathering.
If you can, remove all planters, pots, and containers. Moisture trapped between the deck and plastic, wood, or ceramic containers can encourage mildew, discoloration, or decay.
However, if that isn’t an option, rotate the pots on a regular basis and put them on “risers” of some sort. You can stop by the TnT office and pick up scraps of composite decking that works great for this purpose. These risers keep water from collecting under the planter and potentially damaging your decking as well as increasing air circulation around the base of the pot & the roots of any remaining plants.
Clear Debris
Sweep off leaves as soon as possible. Leaves can trap a lot of moisture on your deck and if left to decompose can leave stains or even start to rot your deck.
While sweeping, make sure you dislodge any debris in-between the boards. When boards are too close together or are packed with debris, you can end up with standing water which eventually leads to mold and rot damage.
Clear board gaps also promotes proper air circulation to make sure excess moisture isn’t trapped underneath your deck, helping keep mold and rot at bay.
Clean All Surfaces
Next, thoroughly clean the deck to remove slippery dirt, moss, and mildew and prevent potential staining.
Power washing can restore the beauty of a well-used deck, but should be done with care. Pressure set too high can remove the finish or even scar wood.
The best thing to do is give your deck a good wash. Any kind of outdoor cleaner will do (we recommend Oxyclean or 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner). Spray it on, give it time to work its magic, give it a little scrub with a soft brush and rinse it off.
Inspect and Repair
Now that your deck is cleared and clean, this is a good time to inspect your deck and make sure you don’t have any sagging boards, loose railings, or rotting areas. It can be detrimental and hazardous to procrastinate repairing your deck. Make any necessary repairs before cold and wet conditions make your deck problems worse.
If you need deck repairs or replacement we’d be happy to help you out! Feel free to give us a call at 541-926-3117 or email us at info@tntbuildersinc.com.