Deck & Exterior Prep Checklist Before Winter Arrives

When the colder months are approaching, it’s always smart to make sure you’re taking the right measures to properly prepare your home. That can mean having tasks all over your property, and it can be quite the hassle. However, it’s always worthwhile to make sure your home is prepared and protected before winter arrives. After all, a little bit of maintenance and preparation can go a long way in preventing costly repairs in the future. That’s especially true of your deck and your home’s outdoor area, which is why this deck and exterior prep checklist is a must-read before winter arrives.

Start With a Full Inspection of Your Deck & the Surrounding Area of Your Home’s Exterior

Before you truly get started with anything, it would be wise to conduct a thorough inspection of your deck. Doing a walkthrough of the outdoor living area can give you a chance to look for loose or damaged boards, protruding nails, soft spots in the surface, or signs of rot. And if you’re seeing any areas where water is collecting or draining slowly, make note of them, as standing moisture can cause major problems once the winter arrives and temperatures drop. Checking underneath your deck is smart, too, as that will give you a chance to identify any potential problems with its structural integrity. All the while, it makes sense to inspect your home’s siding, trim, and fascia—especially around your deck—for cracks, gaps, or deterioration,

Thoroughly Clean Your Deck’s Surface & Clear Your Outdoor Living Area

Once you’ve completed an inspection of your deck, you’ll want to clean it fully. A clean deck will be better protected against mold, mildew, and rot, which can develop as a result of the moisture that wintertime in Chicagoland will bring. Sweep away any leaves, dirt, and debris from your deck’s surface and between the boards, as wet leaves in the winter can trap water and make your deck more vulnerable to damage when snow and ice begin to accumulate. Washing your deck at this time is also sensible, whether with a deck cleaner or a pressure washer—always at a low setting—to remove grime, mildew, and stubborn stains. During this process, you’ll want to remove, clean, and store any outdoor furniture that might be vulnerable to wear and tear throughout the cold winter months.

Protect Your Deck With a Sealant or Stain

We’ve discussed the damage that moisture can do to your deck during the wintertime. It can seep into unprotected wood and cause it to crack, warp, or deteriorate, leaving you with costly repairs to invest in when the spring rolls around. As a preventative measure, you can apply a fresh coat of waterproof stain or clear sealer before the temperatures start to drop. Make sure you’re doing this on a dry day so that it can properly cure and set as a protective barrier for your deck.

Prep Your Deck’s Railings, Stairs, & Hardware

You surely know what icy conditions can do to the safety of your deck as well as any aspect of your home’s exterior, including the walkway up to your door. With that in mind, make sure your railings are secure, posts are sturdy, and stairs are stable so that you can lower the risk of a slip and fall during the winter.

Other Smart Measures to Take As You Prep Your Deck & Exterior Before Winter Arrives

There’s plenty more you can do to prepare your deck and the rest of your home’s exterior before winter temperatures and conditions arrive. Protecting and storing any other outdoor items like grills or décor to keep them out of the cold and snow is smart, as is clearing your gutters and downspouts to protect against trapped moisture. Trimming nearby trees and shrubs around your deck and the exterior of your home can also reduce the risk of branches being weighed down by snow or ice, snapping, and falling onto your deck or any other aspect of your home. And lastly, make sure you disconnect and drain your garden hoses and shut off your outdoor faucets to keep your pipes from freezing and potentially bursting.

Reach Out Today to Learn More

If you have any further questions about prepping your deck and exterior before winter arrives or you want to partner with a team of experts to improve your home ahead of the colder months of the year, contact Craftsmen Revival today. We’d love to answer any questions you may have and explain how we can assist you with your Chicagoland home.