3 Great Tips for Protecting Your Hardwood Deck During Winter

Hardwood decks are durable, using quality lumber that is more resistant to wear and tear, but nonetheless winter can take its toll on the wood. So here are some ways to ensure your hardwood deck stays pristine throughout the season. 

Check the Stain on the Hardwood Deck

Hardwood decks are durable, using quality lumber that is more resistant to wear and tear, but nonetheless winter can take its toll on the wood. So here are some ways to ensure your hardwood deck stays pristine throughout the season. 

This should be done before the weather gets too cold and it gets too snowy. Older decks can have some peeling, which is normal, but can compromise the wood and allow mold to grow. If you catch this early enough, you can re-stain the deck. You can see if it is time to re-stain by putting a few drops of water on the wood. If the drops stay on the surface for longer than five seconds, then it is alright.

Should the water get absorbed by the wood in less than five seconds, then re-staining is in order before it gets too cold and wet. Check out Rustic Lumber’s products, which includes high grade stains that will protect your wood and make its qualities truly stand out. 

Reduce the Weight on the Wood Deck

Hardwood outdoor decks are hardy and can withstand a lot of weight, but heavy snowfall can compound the burden greatly. So it helps to reduce the load on the deck and thus decrease the wear and tear on it by removing items from it, particularly those that won’t be used during the season.

Grills, deck chairs and the like can be transferred or put into storage since it’s not exactly barbecue season. With the load lessened, the deck will be better able to bear the snow when it starts piling on. On that note, snow should be regularly cleared before it accumulates and gets too heavy for the hardwood deck. 

Avoid Mold by Keeping the Hardwood Deck Clear

Hardwood decks are durable, using quality lumber that is more resistant to wear and tear, but nonetheless winter can take its toll on the wood. So here are some ways to ensure your hardwood deck stays pristine throughout the season. 

Similarly, removing furniture and planters that aren’t needed can also reduce the likeliness of mold or rot. This is because the moisture from the snow can cause mold to develop underneath. So the deck ought to have a good cleaning before the weather gets too snowy. Removing all debris between the wood panels is also important for avoiding mold as bits of leaves and twigs that accumulate naturally can contain unnecessary moisture. 

Snow has to be cleared off the deck quickly to help protect the wood. But rock salt shouldn’t be used as it is too coarse and will damage the wood. Similarly, rubber-tipped or plastic shovels with rounded corners should be used to scoop snow off the deck. Go with the grain of the wood while shoveling and when most of it has been removed, the remaining snow can be swept off the deck to keep it as dry as possible. 

Takeaway

Rustic Lumber offers a variety of high quality lumber perfect for any outdoor deck. Still, while the wood may be hardy, they will still experience wear and tear, so they will require adequate care. Be sure to maintain your wood deck well. We have a variety of stains and finishes that will help preserve your decks, as well as lumber products for any repairs or refurbishment. 

Need the right kind of lumber for your hardwood deck or other projects? or inquiries, feel free to reach out to us, we have all you need for your projects. As your lumber supplier in the Utah, Idaho and Colorado area, Rustic Lumber has definitely got the wood you are looking for.

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