How to Prepare Your Deck for Winter

Autumn is here, and winter is on its way, which means it's time to start thinking about winterizing your cedar deck. The winter rain, snow and cold can deal a lot of damage to even the hardiest cedar deck. Fortunately, by making some simple preparations for winter you can help prevent your deck from appearing old and gray when spring arrives.

Take these steps to prepare your cedar or composite deck for winter:

Scrub the Surface

Many homeowners overlook this important step in their fall home maintenance routine. If left on your deck, dirt, leaves and other debris from your yard can decompose and damage the decking material. Use a hose and scrub-broom to give your deck a good washing and cut down on the amount of decaying matter in your deck fibers. This will also help allow air to circulate between the boards, which will make your deck more resilient against rain.

Get Rid of Mold and Mildew

Mildew and mold are two of your cedar deck's worst enemies. They can grow in small cracks in the wood and cause significant problems unless they're nipped in the bud. There are plenty of products on the market that will remove mold and mildew, but it's always a good idea to check the manufacturer's recommendations first.

Clean and Move Planters

When planters are left on your deck throughout the winter, moisture can pool underneath, resulting in mold and mildew growth as well as leaving unsightly stains on the decking material. If possible, move your planters into a garage, shed or beneath the deck for winter.

Restain if Necessary

The stain on your cedar deck acts as a shield against moisture, but if you haven't restained in a while, a harsh winter can break through and damage the wood. Staining can be a big chore, but it's easier than dealing with the eventual consequences of leaving your deck unprotected.

Cover

For areas with particularly harsh winters, covering your deck with a durable plastic tarp or insulation material is one way of protecting it from the elements. However, it's important to exercise caution when covering your deck. If the wood isn't completely covered, water can pool on the wood and lead to mold and mildew growth. When done properly, however, a cover can help your cedar deck withstand the worst winter has to offer.

Getting your cedar or composite deck ready for winter can seem like a major task, but by taking these simple preventative steps now, you can avoid a lot of maintenance issues in the spring and prevent the weather from doing permanent damage to your deck. A carefully winterized deck can can look just as good in the spring as it did the fall before, but only if you're willing to make the effort.

~Ben Nystrom, 2010

Find more cedar deck maintenance information at the Rick's Fencing website, a Northwest resource for cedar and composite decking materials and installation.

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