Every homeowner in any part of the U.S. that experiences freezing winters prepares for the season in several ways. Holiday decors and colorful lights start to adorn houses, with a tree in the best part of the house as the focal point of the season’s decorations. It’s also a time to protect the home with new vinyl siding installation services and the like.

As for outdoor living spaces like decks, the way they’re used changes. The furniture meant for summer fun and relaxation on the deck is stored somewhere it will be safe from snow and ice. A fire pit or an all-season outdoor grill is fired up, and homeowners enjoy the deck garbed in sweaters and boots instead of shorts and slippers.

A deck, like any other component of your home’s exterior, can be prepared to face winter so you can minimize the possibility of damage. Here are some tips you can follow:

Step 1: Perform an Inspection

The end of fall is a good time to give your deck a thorough inspection because it helps you prepare it for winter. However, it’s also a good idea to inspect it more than once a year.

You might find loose screws or handrails, boards that need to be repaired or replaced, and other products of use and wear. This is your chance to make some adjustments or to call professional providers of deck installation services, especially if the repairs are huge or if you’re planning to replace your deck.

Step 2: Clean Your Deck

For most homeowners, this is as simple as sweeping the dead leaves, dust, and other debris off the deck and wiping it down with water and a clean piece of microfiber cloth. That will work if your deck is fairly new or if you clean it often.

If your deck has stains, use a mild detergent and some warm water with a microfiber cloth. You can remove stubborn stains with a brush. A regular hose is enough for rinsing the soap off your deck.

There are deck brighteners or cleaners that contain mold killers, but make sure to check if the cleaner is not too harsh for your deck materials.

Step 3: Apply Protection

Let your deck dry before applying a water repellent finish. Make sure to apply it on every part of your deck, particularly the wood boards. You don’t want snow, ice, and rainwater to cause water damage.  When you shovel ice, do it carefully and parallel to the boards to avoid scratching them.

Get in touch with Harmony Home Improvement. We install decks and offer other home improvements, including replacement window services. Call us at (860) 645-8899 or leave us a message here. We are a local CT roofer and we look forward to working with you in Connecticut.