Working to winterize a deck or patio is crucial for both the safety of your outdoor space and its longevity. Winterizing decks and patios might seem like a time-consuming process, but it takes only a few simple steps to ensure that your outdoor space is properly prepared and protected against the elements. In this blog post, we’ll show you everything you need to know about winterizing your deck or patio so it stays intact throughout the harsh conditions of winter and looks gorgeous come spring.
How to Winterize Patio Furniture
To prep your outdoor space for winter, you must first winterize any patio furniture, umbrellas, etc before you can move on to winterize your deck or patio. Start by giving your furniture a thorough cleaning with a power washer or a simple hose and soap to remove any dirt and debris. Once clean, make sure the furniture is completely dry before moving on. If you have wooden furniture, now would be a good time to add an extra layer of paint or sealant to keep it protected from water damage over the winter. After the furniture has completely dried, stack chairs and other similar items together if possible, and cover with a tarp and secure. Next, move the covered furniture to a secure area like a storage shed or garage. Even if you don’t have a secure storage area, simply covering deck and patio furniture with a tarp can provide some much-needed protection against the wind, rain, and snow.
How to Protect Decking in Winter
After you’ve handled the outdoor furniture, it’s time to move on to the actual winterization of your deck or patio. The process is relatively the same—thoroughly clean and powerwash your deck or patio area to remove any built-up dirt or debris. Since Blackrock Decks uses only the highest quality materials when building patios and decks in Utah, you won’t have to worry about repainting or staining the area to prep for winter, simply cleaning the space will do just fine!
If you’re wondering how to make trex decking less slippery in winter, we recommend using a broom to remove the accumulation of light snow. For heavier storms, you can use a snow shovel to remove snow and ice, but you should be careful, as certain materials such as metal shovels can damage composite decking. It’s also recommended by Trex to shovel in the same direction the direction of the board to minimize the risk of accidental damage. Additionally, dusting the area with rock salt or calcium chloride is recommended by Trex to prevent any slips caused by ice, though it should be rinsed off as soon as possible. You can cover your deck with a tarp for added protection in the winter months, though it is not required. For more tips and tricks about snow removal, check out this article from the manufacturer.
Should I Stain My Deck In The Fall or Spring?
With Trex decking, you’ll never have to worry about sealing or staining your deck to prepare for winter. In fact, it’s generally not recommended to apply ANY kind of sealant or stain to Trex composite decking, at any point during the year. However, if you have a traditional wooden deck, one that is not made of composite material, it’s generally a good idea to reseal or restain the wood every fall in order to prevent damage throughout the winter and keep your deck looking its best in spring.
Contact Blackrock Decks for Help With Custom Decks in Utah
If you need help to winterize your deck or want to begin building a new one before the snow sets in, contact the Blackrock Decks team. With a combined 40+ years of experience and knowledge, no project is too big or small for our team of Trex Pro Certified professionals. Our team is dedicated to creating beautiful custom decks in Utah that will last you for years to come. Don’t delay your outdoor project—contact our team today for a quote on custom decks, patios, roofs, and pergolas in Utah.
