It’s so hard to believe that Summer is over, and Winter will be here before you know it. One of the things you should be thinking about is winterizing your deck. Whether it is a wooden one, a composite deck, or concrete, getting it ready for the hard winter months should be on your Fall cleaning list.
I hate that when you put all the patio furniture away, it means that Winter is close at hand. I love Summer and sunshine and the beach, so this is always a task that I put off until the last possible minute. But in any case, here are some of the easy ways to get your deck ready for the Winter months.
Winterizing Your Deck Starts With A Clean Slate
This is probably the easiest of all the steps. Start by gently removing all your patio furniture and place it in the grass. Take any decorations and carpets you may have off your deck and set them aside. Now you have a blank workspace to start with.
Examine Your Patio Furniture First
Check for loose parts or tears. Then gently scrub everything down with a mixture of warm water and Dawn detergent. Rinse thoroughly and let dry before putting it away. If you need to store it on your deck after it is clean, check your furniture covers and replace damaged ones.
Next, look at all your outdoor space decorations. Are they still in good shape? Do you still like them on your deck? If the answer is no to both questions, take the time to dispose of those items.
If you like them, take a moment to clean them off, shake dirt off carpets, and store in a safe place. If you don’t have a shed, purchase a locked deck box to put them in.
Do A Thorough Inspection Of Your Materials When Winterizing Your Deck
Look for loose nails or fasteners. Make sure railings are safe. Check post caps and steps. If you do find anything, get it fixed right away. We had some problems with the deck after s harsh winter. Luckily, it was still under warranty at the time. By fixing these things right away, you can avoid costly maintenance later.
Start Winterizing Your Deck With A Thorough Cleaning
The first thing you need to do is gently sweep off the deck to remove rocks and debris that could damage your deck area when you start scrubbing. The last thing you want to do is ruin your deck for future Summer seasons.
We have composite decking, we used specialized cleaner for it, since we could void our warranty by using something not recommended, we are careful to use the right product. I found that warm water and Dawn detergent works just as good(if not better) and is a fraction of the cost.
Take Time To Cover Your Outdoor Faucets & Electrical Boxes
One thing people often neglect to think about is outdoor faucets and electrical boxes. They can be a source of places where cold air can enter your home and cause an increased heating bill. Take the time to seal any air leaks around your outlets, and cover them if they don’t have a cover.
At the same time, cover your outdoor water faucet to help prevent freezing and breaking. A hard faucet cover is inexpensive and does a great job of protecting your water faucet.
So there are some easy ways for winterizing your deck to protect it for the next Summer season. You can relax and get through Winter knowing your investment is protected.
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