Our decks are some of our most treasured features of our houses and yards. We love to use them in the warmer weather, but when it comes to the winter months, sometimes our decks can go mostly unused and unloved. However, even in the winter, it’s important to take care of your deck, especially after a storm. Post-snow deck maintenance is a necessary activity to ensure your deck weathers the storm. Snow is a tricky type of precipitation. When it settles on your deck, it’s soft and fluffy, but as it melts into water during the day, it can seep into the wood of your deck. Then overnight when it refreezes, it will expand, which can create cracks and splinters in your deck! That’s why it’s important to perform maintenance on your deck right after it snows.
How to Maintain Your Deck Post-Snow
Snow can be a dangerous weather event for your deck if untreated, but the good news is that post-snow deck maintenance is easy!
- Shovel your deck shortly after it snows. Make sure to be gentle with your shovel, as you don’t want to gauge your deck. You can leave a thin layer of snow on top to avoid rough contact with the wood.
- Next, sweep your deck. This will remove the last later of snow, as well as any debris, from your deck. That way the snow won’t melt and seep into the wood.
- Finally, double check your deck has been stained. Stain is like a film that sits on the wood to protect it from the elements. If you think it’s been stained in the last three years, your deck is in great shape. If not, it’s time to get your deck the extra protection it needs. Check out our post on basic deck maintenance and staining/sealing for more information!
Protect Your Deck with Harmony Decking
Your deck is likely a great investment you’ve made that increases the value of your house, not to mention a place you love to spend time in the summer. Make sure it’s protected by doing basic post-snow deck maintenance after a storm. This is one of the easiest and quickest solutions to keep your deck in great shape. For more information on protecting and maintaining your deck, contact Harmony Decking at 215-290-7727 or fill out our online form. We are deck experts with years of experience in all things decking! Give us a call!
