The days are shorter, the trees are bare, BBQ weather is a distant memory, and it's time to get ready for winter hibernation adventures. It may not need new snow boots or a cozy parka, but there are a few steps that will make winter more pleasant for your deck. Taking a bit of time to prepare prior to Mother Nature's onslaught will be well worth the effort. Read on for some simple ways to get your deck ready for whatever the winter has in store.
Preparation
• First, bring in the furniture and grill, and don't forget any flower pots or planters.
• Make sure to remove any debris from the deck surface, and give it a thorough scrub using Penofin Pro-Tech Cleaner
and a stiff bristle brush.
• If the deck was previously treated with Penofin stain, check the dry deck for areas that may have experienced wear
and tear. If needed, apply a light coat of Penofin to those areas, being sure to wipe the wood after 15-30 minutes.
Lighting
• The longer nights don't need to be dark and dreary! Use an automatic timer to effortlessly keep your low-voltage
lighting shining bright when you need it. The heavy-duty Outdoor Timer by Woods can weather all conditions
and automatically calculates dawn and dusk in your area for every day of the year.
Maintenance
• Rainy climate? Try not to let water pool on the deck. Sweep or blow off the surface as necessary.
• Snowy climate? Be sure to use a plastic shovel, and always clear snow in the same direction as the boards rather
than across them.
• Ice accumulation? Use an ice melting product that is safe for pets—traditional rock salt is too damaging for the deck
you've worked to protect!