Don’t Let the Winter Wear Down Your Deck! It’s Time to Prep Your Composite Deck for Utah’s Winter Weather

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of Christmas music defrosting. That means it’s almost time for the first snow fall in the Utah area.

Even though you might have a few more holiday parties* to host, it’s time to start thinking ahead to protecting your deck for winter! 

*Check out our previous blog on Decking Out Your Deck For The Holidays!

If you don’t plan on utilizing your deck during the winter, we have some helpful tips and best practices to keep your composite deck protected through the blustery, snowy winter season! 

Before the First Snow

Clear the Deck 

The first thing to do is remove or cover all your furniture and appliances that aren’t going to weather the winter! 

Take off all the covers and cushions, give them a good clean and wash off your furniture before storing. Your future self will thank you for that when you see how nice they look when you bring them back out! 

Place all the cushions or material-based items inside totes or big bags to keep them from getting wet and molding. 

If you don’t have a place to store the larger furniture, cover them with a waterproof cover and stack them in one corner of the deck.  

The same goes for appliances! If you can’t store them, just give them a good clean, cover them and move them to the side. 

Sweep & Scrub the Deck

Now it’s time to embrace your pirate spirit and swab the deck! 

But really, it’s time to give your deck a good scrub.  Even though composite decking like Trex and Timbertech are very low maintenance, you can’t escape human error and environmental factors! 

Spills from summer parties and the last of the fall leaves might have left behind grime, sticky spots, or debris. It’s best to brush and sweep off the loose stuff and then give it a light scrub with some hot soapy water (check your decking material information if you want to use a deck cleaning solution).  

You can also power wash on a LOW setting if you want to enjoy the satisfaction that power washing brings. 

Make sure you get this done before the first freeze because you want your deck to be clean and completely dried. 

Lay Down Some Traction

If you are going to use your deck to enter and exit your home, lay down some carpet and runners on your deck and stairs to create traction, decrease slippery areas, and soak up moisture from shoes. DO NOT use a rubber backed carpet or mat because it can trap moisture, causing mold and discoloration on your composite deck boards. As resistant as TimberTech and Trex decking materials are to staining and wearing, do not create a higher chance for it to happen! 

After the Snow Falls

Get Rid of the Snow

Now that the first Utah snow has fallen, assess the state of your deck. If the snow is light, simply sweep it off the deck. If you have had a significant amount of snow fall onto your deck, use a PLASTIC shovel to scoop it up. Do not use a metal shovel, because it can cause scratches and dings in the composite boards. 

It is also highly recommended to shovel the snow in the same way that your deck boards are laid. Push the snow along the length of the boards instead of against them to prevent any damage to the boards. 

Knock Down the Icicles

They’re lovely to look at, but a falling icicle can cause a dent or scratch to your composite deck! It doesn’t happen often, but it’s best to knock them off as a preventative measure. This will also help to eliminate patches of water that could refreeze if there is a warm day during the winter season. 

Melt the Snow & Prevent Icy Areas

If you want to throw down some salt and melt the snow, it is recommended to use regular ROCK Salt or Calcium Chloride on your composite decking. Don’t use snow melt, chemical mixes, or homemade snow melt, and definitely avoid any snow melt products that are colored! This can stain and discolor the deck. For more information check out the Trex Decking website

Think Ahead For Next Winter

If you miss using your deck during the winter, think ahead to next year and let our team at Blackrock Decks create a custom deck roof, or add a patio cover to help protect your deck and extend its use! We can build partial or full deck coverage to suit your lifestyle and needs! We use high-performance materials that stand up to the Utah winters and any type of weather that comes our way.  

Contact our team today to discuss your ideas and get a custom quote! We pride ourselves on being the premier deck builder in Utah and are ready to help you create the perfect outdoor extension to your home!