Helpful Tips for Protecting Your Deck From the Winter Weather!

Now that we are approaching the winter months, it means that there will be a lot of rain and in some places, heavy snow fall. So, what does this mean for your deck? How can you best protect your deck from damage during the winter? Here are some things that you should keep in mind when it comes to maintaining your deck.

Winter will most likely bring heavy rain, so it is extremely important to prepare your deck so that it does not get water damage. Water can be the most damaging thing to wooden decks because water weakens the wood’s property by stripping off the edges of the wood, which then leads to rot and mold. By turning to an expert of deck waterproofing in Orange County and near you, you can seal your deck, coat it and waterproof it so that no water damage can come to your deck. Sealing your deck should be done once every year, so if it has been a few years, you will definitely want to get your deck resealed before the rains come.

If you live in an area that will experience snow, you have a little more to worry about. The added moisture creates more stress on the wood, which can even lead to warping and cracking in the wood. Sometimes, the nails can even become unstable if the wood moves and this can cause boards to shift or even collapse. One way to prevent the extra moisture is to shovel the snow away from your deck. If it is light coat, you can simply sweep it away with a broom. If it is more than 4 inches though, you should use a shovel with a plastic blade, as a metal blade will easily scratch or even gauge your deck – especially if it is moist from the snow. Even more than just shoveling the snow off though, what helps the most is making sure your deck has the right sealer on it. Some sealers are more heavy duty than others and depending on how much snow you are likely to get, you will want to consider which strength to get. It may be best to hire an expert to see what the best sealer for your deck will be.