Winter Maintenance for Decks and Concrete Patios

 

Winter maintenance for decks and concrete patios is essential. The harsh elements can take a large toll on your wood deck and concrete patio, especially with freezing and melting moisture consistently happening throughout the winter. Keep reading below for steps to take for proper winter maintenance for your deck and concrete patio or driveway.

Deck Winter Maintenance

• If you do not plan on using your deck in the winter, covering it with a tarp is a great option to protect it from the harsh winter elements.
• Removing any dirt, leaves, or debris will help prevent winter snow and ice from locking in moisture. Moisture on a wooden deck can cause the wood to rot and cause other structural or integral damages.
• After snow cover, a blower is preferred to remove snow from your deck. If you use a shovel, make sure to not shovel the snow with a metal shovel on your deck that can cause scratches. If shoveling a wooden deck, shovel along the length of the deck boards with the grain of the wood.
• Do not use salt or deicer on your deck during winter. Chemicals in the salt and deicers can harm the deck finish and cause damage to the wood.
• Routine cleaning and sealing your deck during the warmer months is the best way to maintain your deck and extend the life of your deck. Pinpoint Maintenance is the leading professional in deck maintenance in Naperville and surrounding Chicagoland suburbs.

Outdoor Concrete Patio Winter Maintenance

• Removing any debris from your concrete patio will prevent moisture from getting locked in. Moisture will cause cracking and pitting in your concrete. Removing debris will also prevent staining on your concrete from leaves and dirt.
• Make sure to remove snow and ice as quickly as possible to prevent any damage. Moisture that gets into a concrete slab during winter can freeze when the temperature dips cause cracking and damage in the concrete once the weather warms up.
• Do not use salt or ice melt on your concrete when there is winter ice or snow. To help with slippery ice, use sand or gravel for traction if necessary. The chemicals in deicing agents can make it easier for water to seep into the concrete which will cause damage to the concrete.
• Use a protective sealant before winter if possible. A high-quality sealer, like the ones frequently used by Pinpoint Maintenance, will help block moisture from penetrating the concrete. Routine cleaning and sealing will help prevent damage and extend the life of your concrete.

Winter maintenance for decks and concrete patios is essential during these cold and dreary months. Following the steps above will help prevent damage to your deck and concrete during the winter. Routine power washing and sealing in the warmer months is also very essential for both decks and concrete. Pinpoint Maintenance is the leading patio cleaning and sealing professional in Naperville, IL and the surrounding Chicagoland suburbs. Pinpoint Maintenance would be happy to give you a free consultation for your deck and patio maintenance needs. Give us a call (630.437.1181) or send us a message on our contact page. A Pinpoint Maintenance professional will be happy to talk with you to discuss your maintenance needs.