Created on:
October 18, 2022
It's fall and winter time, which means that you'll have to start thinking of ways to maintain your wood deck and your decking boards. All the dirt, snow, water, and debris on wooden decks can really deteriorate your decks if left unchecked. The last thing you want is moldy decks and other wood problems that will lead up to more costly repairs. With our extensive experience in wooden decks, here are some of our tips and points on how to prevent damage to your deck during the coming winter. If you've done any research on how to properly maintain a wood deck, then this article will be very familiar.
If you don't power wash your deck in the winter, there's a chance that all of the dirt, snow and debris that accumulated during the summer can start to deteriorate your deck. A power wash is an ideal way to remove these stains from your wood and keep it looking fresh for years to come. If you prefer not to work with a power washer, then at least make sure you sweep off any loose debris before it gets too cold outside so as not to ruin all of your hard work!
Mold is a problem for most homeowners, because it's not only unsightly but also very expensive to remove. It can also lead to more serious problems like rot and decay if left untreated. So how can you prevent mold from damaging your deck?
While some people might like to think that cleaning their decks is a spring-only job, there are many reasons why it's best to get the job done before winter sets in. First of all, if you wait until after snow has fallen and you've got ice on the deck, you're going to have a much harder time getting into those hard-to-reach places. Second of all, if there's already snow on your deck when you clean it (and especially if there's ice), then any water used will freeze as soon as it hits the surface and create more work for you later down the line when it comes time for a thorough cleanup. If possible, try not to put off this essential task until after Christmas or New Years Eve celebrations have passed because by then temperatures may be too cold for effective cleaning. Finally—and most importantly—you should never wait until springtime before doing any work on your deck!
Before you get started with your maintenance plan, perform an inspection of the deck to ensure that it is in good condition. Check for loose or damaged boards and cracks or splits in the wood. Look for signs of rot or decay, termite damage, water damage and insect damage. Inspect the entire surface of the deck for signs of mildew as well as any additional stains caused by pets or furniture rubbing against it during last summer’s barbecue parties.
You can use a screwdriver to push the board back into place, then secure it with screws.
You will need:
When did you last power wash your deck? A good power washing is needed every year or so to remove stains or dirt that may have accumulated on the surface of your deck. Stains such as ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, and other materials can be particularly troublesome if not cleaned up immediately. We recommend a thorough cleaning of your deck at least once a year, which can help prevent mildew from growing. Otherwise, you'll need mold remediation services which cost upwards of thousands of dollars.
If you're looking to seal, stain or paint your deck this winter, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Many people try to treat their decks by staining them with paint or sealant after they're built. While this is an option worth considering if you want certain colors for your backyard space (like redwood), it's important to keep in mind that these treatments will only last for about two years before needing another coat again! When deciding whether this is something worth doing for yourself or hiring professionals instead (which can get pricey), remember that these coatings will only last up unless otherwise specified by manufacturers--and even then there's no guarantee that any item would actually remain intact after several months' worth wear-and-tear exposure during those times when ultraviolet rays hit hardest during summer months while also damaging wood fibers directly through exposure time spent outdoors without protection over its surface area.
There's no doubt that it's important to take care of your wood deck during the year, but when winter comes around it becomes even more crucial. If you want your wood deck to stay in good shape for years to come, here are some things you can do:
With these tips, you should be able to get your deck ready for winter weather. If you're still unsure of what needs to be done or have any questions, contact us and we'll help you out!
