While winter is still a month or two away, this chilly autumn weather is bringing it to mind more and more often! With winter approaching, it is a good idea to become armed with knowledge about how to prepare for the winter months, as well as how to care for your deck in freezing, snowy weather.
Firstly, let’s briefly discuss how winter weather can affect your deck.
Winter and Wood
If you have a traditional wood deck, your deck is more susceptible to damage during the winter. As you likely know, moisture is a wooden structure’s arch enemy. A wood deck that is not protected will succumb to buckling, warping, and cracking as it expands and contracts due to moisture content. Rot from moisture can persist even in freezing temperatures! Mold and mildew grow in wet conditions and are most prevalent when snow and ice melt.
You certainly do not want your wood deck to fall prey to these conditions. What can you do to prevent damage from moisture?
The first step to take is to make sure your wood deck is clean and has an effective sealant on it. If your wood deck has been cleaned and sealed within the last couple of years, it is most likely still in good condition. If it has been longer than a couple of years since your deck’s last routine maintenance, you will want to ensure that maintenance is done before winter.
Cleaning your deck is a relatively simple process. You will want to purchase a deck wash solution (such as SuperDeck Deck Wash by Sherwin Williams) and follow the instructions carefully to remove any mold and mildew. Using a power washer or a hose, rinse off the deck wash solution. Let your deck dry for 24 to 48 hours before sealing. If you are unfamiliar with how to seal your deck, you can check out our article titled “How do I Stain and Seal my Deck?”.
If your deck is ready to go with a good sealant on it, you will be able to take these simple steps throughout the winter to ensure your deck stays in beautiful condition for spring!
Tips for winter care:
- Periodically remove debris that builds up on your deck, such as twigs, leaves, and mud. This will keep the gaps between deck boards open to prevent moisture building up and sitting on the wood.
- Periodically remove snow to minimize moisture sitting on your deck boards.
- Remove ice from your deck. DO NOT under any circumstances use rock salt on your wood deck to melt ice. Rock salt will cause damage to your deck boards and premature deterioration.
- When removing snow and ice, do not use a metal shovel or ice pick. Metal will scratch and gouge your deck boards. If using a plastic shovel, shovel parallel to your deck boards and avoid shoveling perpendicular to your boards. Shoveling in a perpendicular way may cause you to catch and damage the edges of your deck boards.
Winter and Composite
If you have a composite deck, you are sitting in great condition for winter weather! Composite boards are protected with a special capping that prevents moisture from damaging them. Even so, it is a good idea to follow these easy steps to care for your composite deck in winter:
- Keep your deck clear of debris (leaves, twigs, mud etc.). Leaves and other debris can sometimes leave stains as water sits on them and “seeps”. The seeping will leave a stain that you will later need to remove with soap and water.
- Periodically remove snow from your deck. No need to worry about moisture damaging your boards however! Keeping your deck clear of snow will prevent ice buildup, as well as ensure a safe pathway when walking.
- When shoveling, use only a plastic shovel and avoid metal. Metal will scratch or otherwise damage your composite boards.
- If necessary to remove ice, do not use rock salt. Rock salt will damage your composite boards. Instead, use an ice melt that is made of calcium chloride which is safe for composite boards.
As always, if you have other questions regarding winter deck care, our team at Wymore Deck and Fence is only a phone call or email away!
