HOW TO PROTECTING YOUR OUTDOOR Deck FOR DURING WINTER MONTHS
Ok, folks, winter is here for some people and just around the corner for most. Some areas of the country get rain others to get snow
or both rain and snow. Don’t panic as it’s never too late to protect your deck. Of course protecting your outdoor deck
before the cold, rainy, and snowy grips of winter is always the best solution. But we don’t always have time or are too lazy until it’s too late.
So here are some solutions and tips that can help save your outdoor deck/patio just before and during those cold winters months.

How Winter Weather Affects Wood:
If you’ve ever wondered why winter is so tough on wood, it’s the moisture and cold temperatures. Wood is a very porous material and when left unprotected, these porous areas can easily get filled with particles such as water, fungi, and bacteria. As temperatures lower, the water inside the wood contracts, then freezes and expands, and causes the wood to bend and eventually crack or break. Not only that, but fungi (mold) that thrive in damp environments like mold and mildew can spread and cause rot.

PROTECT YOUR OUTDOOR DECK/PATIO JUST BEFORE THE RAIN AND SNOW
Clean your Deck Thoroughly:
Exposure to moisture and snow can create the perfect conditions for the growth of mold, mildew, moss, and algae. All these conditions make it important to clean your deck thoroughly before winters grip.

If you still have time – begin the sealing process:
Don’t seal a deck below 50 degrees. You don’t want to begin the sealing process until you can safely guarantee that the temperature will remain above 50 degrees for at least 48 hours… A 65-degree day may easily become 40-degree at night or lower, and your seal will become a deck nightmare.
if you’re looking for a clear water repellent to protect against water damage without changing the color of the wood, choose a Premium Water Sealer. It will protect your deck against the elements for two to three years. Don’t go cheap here folks, I said the best “Premium Water Sealer” money can buy. In this specific case, you do get what you you pay for.

Ran Out Of Time and Winter is Here? Don’t Panic!
Remove Snow From the Deck Surface:
Any time you notice snow any accumulation on your deck, shovel the snow off the deck. While you can cover portions of your deck in a tarp, you’ve probably left stairs, railings, and other areas uncovered. Use a broom or shovel to keep snow accumulation to a minimum on the deck. Avoid salt or other commercial products to do the job for you, as these products will discolor and damage the finish. Snow removal is one job you want to do the old-fashioned way.

“Town Tips” by Chris Town
Use a plastic shovel, which does not have harsh on the wood as a metal shovel.
Shovel parallel to the boards rather than perpendicular so that the shovel does catch and gouge the planks.
“Town Tip 2” by Chris Town
One of the best ways to protect your deck from snow and Ice as I mentioned above, is a clear plastic Tarp.
Spread a Tarp Over the Deck:
No matter how well you’ve prepared your deck, your deck can still suffer underneath layers of snow and ice all winter. Keep your wood looking great by covering the deck with a tarp in the harsh winter months. This covering provides an added barrier between the wood and moisture. Too much-melting snow can cause the boards to warp, and ice will worsen cracks in your deck.
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In conclusion, don’t leave your deck to battle the elements alone. A few weekends of work and some regular attention (again use a clear thick torp) throughout the winter will protect the wood and finish so you have a beautiful outdoor space to return to when the weather warms up again.

All solutions for home -living have some advantages and disadvantages…
“There are no perfect solutions out there, only the ones that are perfect for you.”
Chris Town/