Decking Maintenance – How to Winterize a Deck

Preparing A Deck for the Winter

As the leaves turn then fall, rot and decay. As we watch this short process every autumn its easy to realize what your deck is designed to do naturally if left unprotected.

Here are some tips for best way to keep your deck healthy during winter.

1. Keep Gaps Clear of Debris

Leaving your deck dirty and covered with debris over the winter months is a recipe for disaster. If you allow the gap spacing between your deck boards to get plugged up with debris, you won’t just have a lot to clean up come springtime. You might also be looking at a warped deck due to excess moisture being trapped underneath your deck. Proper ventilation will also ensure that mold and decay don’t rear their ugly head. Keep your deck boards looking good by sweeping away dirt, leaves, pine needles or any branches.

2. Got mold? Use these tips to eliminate mold from your deck before winter.

Just ask any homeowner who owns a deck how hard it is to get rid their deck of mold and watch their face get red with frustration. Mold (aka mildew, aka the bane of composite deck owners everywhere) needs to be dealt with as soon as you see it. Mold can grow and prosper during the months when your deck is being used the least. Mold feasts on moisture so snow and melting ice might as well be a t-bone steak with all the fixin’s to mold.

3, What about Flower Pots & Planters?

Regardless of the time of year, having stationary flower pots or planters that rest on top of your deck is always a bad idea. Always.

For the best results, remove the planters and pots during the winter (Especially if all that’s going to sit in them is dirt). If you’re absolutely certain you want to keep your planters on the deck, it’s a good idea to either reposition them every few days. You might also consider placing an object something between the planter and your deck’s surface. Many professionals recommend placing pots onto a single square, or round piece of cedar. I wouldn’t recommend using those cheap plastic trays during the winter because they can freeze, crack, and leak water…which pretty much defeats the purpose.