Why Winterizing Your Fence and Deck Matters?
It is true that winter can be harsh on outdoor structures. Snow, ice, and the freezing temperatures can lead wood to crack, warp, or rot if it’s not protected. By winterizing your fence and deck, you are making sure that they stay strong throughout the winter season and last longer. It also saves your money on repairs when your fence and deck weaken overtime.
When you winterize your deck and fence, it helps prevent damage and keep your outdoor structures protected and looking great year after year. A little care before the cold weather hits can go a long way in protecting your outdoor space.Moreover, if you properly winterize the outdoor spaces, it makes your spring cleanup easier and extends the life of your investment.
When to Start Winter Prep for Outdoor Structures
The often raised question is the time that you should winterize your deck and fence. Considering the specific time to start winter prep for your outdoor structures will help you prepare for the winter in advance. The best time to winterize your deck and fence is during the fall, before it starts to freeze. By starting winterizing during fall, it gives your wood enough time to absorb any protective treatments before winter weather arrives.
Don’t wait until it’s already snowing. If cold and moisture sneak into untreated wood, it can cause problems fast. Because of that, fence and deck maintenance before winter season is essential and preparing early will help to prevent damage from setting in during the cold months.
If you fail to protect deck and fence from winter ultimately it will lead to issues like,
Longevity problems, safety issues and aesthetic problems. When it causes extreme damage to the deck and fence. This leads to complete deck and fence replacement and it will cost you more.
Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing Your Outdoor Deck
Clear Debris
The first step you need to take when winterizing your deck to prepare it for winter is clearing away any debris that has gathered on the surface. If debris accumulates on the deck surface, it traps moisture and it leads to mold and mildew, by affecting the wood to deteriorate. If your deck remains uncovered throughout the colder months, you will need to regularly sweep away any debris that lands on the deck to keep it in good condition.
However, if you have a more traditional wooden deck, you have to pay more attention to prevent any damage.
Trimming trees and plants nearby to the deck will help you to minimize the amount of debris that lands on your deck. This will help you to extend the life of your deck as well.
Clean your deck
Once you remove the debris, you have to clean your deck thoroughly, with the proper cleaning method. Because you should follow the cleaning method that suits your decking material. Washing it with water and soap will help to keep your composite decks. When you are doing cleaning it has to be remembered to clean between deck boards, where dirt and debris might have accumulated and wash in the direction of the grain patterns to avoid damage to the deck.
Observe any damage
These damages include, rotting and loose deck boards, missing screws or fasteners, mold or mildew and structural issues. If these damages, it is important to fix these problems before the winter season. The snowy and cold weather has a high chance to worsen the existing damages and gradually decrease the life of your deck.
If the damages are irreparable, getting help from a professional decking team will help you to make the best decision.
Steal and stain
Sealing and staging is essential for wooden decks in order to protect them from extreme winter conditions and moisture.
Remove furniture
Keeping furniture outside in the winter season will cause damage from moisture and freezing temperatures. You can store them inside or cover them up with waterproof furniture covers to protect it.
Deck cover
You may want to cover your deck if you are experiencing heavy snowfall or extreme winter conditions. This helps to protect the deck surface from moisture and scratch.
How to Winterize Your Fence
Clean the fence
Before anything starts, you have to give your fence a good cleaning as the first step to protect your wooden deck and fence from snow and ice. By cleaning, you can identify any damages or problems as well. You can start this by removing plants growing in the fence and sweep debris and dirt away. Then wash your fence with soap and water. Here you have to be careful to not damage the material.
Check damages
Once your fence is clean, take a close look at each part to spot any damage or wear. Then check for loose or missing boards, rust on metal surfaces, cracks in the wood, leaning posts, or gates that don’t operate well.
After identifying any issues, fix them right away. Replace damaged or rotted boards, tighten any loose screws or nails, fix leaning posts, and seal cracks in the wood. Taking care of these problems will help your fence to withstand winter conditions and extend its life.
Add a protective layer
When you add a protective layer to your fence, it helps to block moisture and protects from ice damage. You can apply a water-resistant stain or sealant if your fence is wooden. You have to make sure you cover every side of each board thoroughly. On the other hand, for metal fences, selecting a rust-resistant paint or coating will do the work. First clean off any existing rust and apply the coating. Be sure to let everything dry completely before winter arrives.
Protect the Bottom of Your Fence
The bottom of your fence is mostly affected by snow and ice. You can clear away any soil near the base to keep the moisture away. For wooden fences, you will want to install metal flashing at the bottom of the wooden fence to keep moisture. If you have a chain-link fence, make sure the bottom wire isn’t touching the ground.
Snow removal
Planning snow removal is essential as the way you remove snow affects your fence. Do not pile the snow against your fence. You can use a shovel to clear the path sling fence to reduce snow buildup. Maintaining proper snow removal habits can help your fence to last longer.
Best Products for Winterizing Fences and Decks
Choosing the right products can make a big difference in how well your deck and fence hold through the winter season. First you can start with a good wood cleaner. This helps to remove dirt, mold, and mildew before sealing the fence. Not Only that, clean wood allows sealers and stains to soak in properly.
Next, you will want to use a high-quality water-repellent wood sealer or stain. These products stand as a barrier to stop moisture from getting deep into the wood. You can get the sealers that are labeled as waterproof, weatherproof or for winter use. Products that are oil-based, tend to soak deeper into the wood and they provide lasting protection, especially in cold or wet climates.
Non-slip deck treatment is a good option for decks that get icy. This can help to make your deck safer to walk in freezing weather without damaging the surface. If you need to melt the ice, you can use pet-safe or wood-safe ice melts, which are more gentler on the wood than traditional rock salt.
Finally, if you are covering your deck or fence with a tarp, make sure it’s breathable and UV-resistant. Because, this prevents moisture from getting trapped under the wood and causing mold or mildew.
Using the right protective products will help your deck and fence stand strong through snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.
Winter Maintenance Checklist for Decks and Fences
Doing regular maintenance during the winter is as important as preparing before it. This simple Deck and fence winter pre checklist can help you stay on top of things and protect your fence and deck throughout all the seasons.
- Inspect and repair damage
- Clean wood surfaces
- Apply waterproof sealer or stain
- Clear off furniture and decorations
- Protect with covers or tarps
- Keep snow and ice from piling up
Conclusion
Winter can be tough on outdoor spaces. This is why you need to prepare beforehand to avoid the damages and potential troubles that you may face in the spring. By following this checklist, you can prevent your decks from snow and ice damages. The right preparation will help you save your energy, time and the money that you might have to spend additionally.