How to Get Your Deck Ready for a Michigan Winter
The leaves are almost down, the patio furniture is heading into storage, and in Michigan, we know what’s coming next. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures and plenty of freeze-and-thaw days.
Before your deck disappears under its first blanket of snow, a little attention now can make winter maintenance easier.
The good news, especially for homeowners with composite decking, is that preparing for winter doesn’t need to become another major fall project. Trex recommends doing your winter prep after most of the leaves have fallen but before snow and sub-freezing temperatures settle in. [trex.com]
1. Start by Clearing Off Leaves and Debris
Those piles of leaves hiding in the corners probably don’t seem like a big deal. Once they’re wet, frozen and sitting there for months, you’ll wish you’d moved them.
Start by sweeping away leaves, dirt, sticks and other debris. Pay attention to areas underneath furniture and around railings where debris tends to collect.
For Trex Transcend®, Enhance® and Select® decking, Trex recommends warm, soapy water and a soft-bristle brush for routine dirt and debris. [trex.com]
You don’t need to turn this into a Saturday-long production. Think of it as one good cleanup before the deck takes its winter vacation.
2. Put Away or Protect Your Furniture
If your outdoor furniture is heading indoors, now is the time.
If you’re leaving furniture outside, cover it appropriately and make sure the deck underneath is clean before settling everything in for winter.
Trex specifically recommends covering outdoor furniture that will remain on the deck through the winter and sweeping away fall debris before snow arrives. [trex.com]
It’s much easier to start with a clean surface now than discover a season’s worth of trapped leaves and grime in March.
3. Know How to Handle Snow
Here’s one winter rule worth remembering: your shovel matters.
For Trex Transcend®, Enhance® and Select® decking, Trex recommends using a plastic shovel to remove snow. Metal shovels can potentially scratch composite deck boards. [images.trex.com]
Trex also recommends shoveling in the direction of the boards to help reduce the chance of accidental damage. For a light dusting, a broom may be all you need. [trex.com]
That doesn’t mean you have to run outside every time three snowflakes land on the deck. But when snow does need to be removed, using the right tools can save you from an unpleasant surprise in spring.
4. Be Smart About Ice
Icy deck steps aren’t something to ignore, especially around entrances and frequently used walkways.
Trex says calcium chloride or rock salt can be used for snow and ice on Trex decking. Product-specific maintenance instructions still matter, particularly if you have an older-generation deck, so check the manufacturer’s instructions for the decking installed at your home. [trex.com], [images.trex.com]
If you aren’t sure what product you have, don’t guess. Find out first.
5. Use Fall to Give the Whole Deck a Look
Cleaning is also a good excuse to inspect the rest of the space.
Look over railings, stairs and the areas where people regularly walk. If something doesn’t look or feel right, it’s better to notice it before snow starts covering everything.
And if you’re already thinking, “This deck needs more than a cleanup,” late fall and winter can be a good time to start thinking through next year’s outdoor space instead of waiting until the first warm Saturday of spring.
MANS works with composite decking, including Trex, along with cedar and treated lumber, and can help homeowners plan decking materials and connect with installers. [manslumber.com]
One Last Tip
Don’t wait for the first snowfall to think about your deck. Give it one good cleanup now, put the metal shovel somewhere else, and keep the manufacturer’s care instructions handy for winter.
Your future springtime self will thank you.
