As the colder months start approaching, it’s essential to take steps to protect your outdoor spaces, especially your decking. Winter weather can be brutal on wood and composite materials, which leads to cracking, warping, and even structural damage if you don’t check it carefully. Let’s take a look at a step by step guide to help you to secure your decking and prepare it for the colder months.
- Inspect the surfaces. Start by thoroughly inspecting your deck for any signs of damage or wear. Look for loose or raised boards, protruding screws or nails that could have backed out over time. It’s these issues that can become worse as moisture seeps in and freezes, which causes the wood to expand and contract. Pay close attention to the areas where people walk frequently too, as well as the outer edges and steps. Replace any damaged boards and re-secure the loose ones using weather resistant decking screws for maximum hold and durability.
- Fix or replace the fasteners. Over time, decking screws can loosen or corrode, particularly if they weren’t designed for outdoor use. Go over your entire deck with a drill or screwdriver and tighten any loose screws. If you notice rusters or broken screws, remove and replace them with high quality corrosion resistant decking screws made from stainless steel or coated materials. These are specifically designed.To withstand harsh weather and provide long term stability.
- Clean down the deck thoroughly. You would have given it a clean anyway, getting it ready for the winter months to prepare it to stay less active than the summer months. But once everything is securely fastened, a deep clean is a must. A deck cleaner or a mix of warm water and mild soap will remove any dirt, algae and mildew. For the tougher spots, use a pressure washer, but be careful with this one, because you don’t want to damage the wood, clearing away debris like leaves and pine needles is also important because they trap moisture and speed up the rotting process. You should also make sure that you clean thoroughly between the deck boards to promote proper drainage.
- Seal or stain the surface. After the deck is clean and completely dry, apply a quality wood sealant or weatherproof stain. This step is critical for protecting the wood against moisture infiltration during rain, snow, and freeze thaw cycles. Choose a product that’s rated for your region’s climate and follow the manufacturers instructions for best results.
- Remove the furniture and cover it when you can. While the deck structure may be secure, leaving outdoor furniture planters and grills exposed to winter weather can put unnecessary strain on the decking itself. Heavy snow can compress these items into the wood, causing dense or discolouration that you could be avoiding. Move what you can into storage and cover the rest with waterproof tarps.
Winter can be tough on your deck, but with the right preparation you’ll be able to prevent most weather related damage. By combining everything on the list, you’ll be able to extend the life of the deck and be ready to enjoy it again when spring arrives.
