How to Prep Your Deck for Fall

You love your deck, right? You’ve spent the better part of spring and summer out there, enjoying everything your deck has to offer with your friends and family. And while there’s still plenty of summer left to go, it’s not a bad idea to start thinking ahead to the fall. You can’t just leave your deck unprotected when it gets cold outside. Without proper preparation, the harsh weather of autumn and winter can damage your deck to the point where it will take serious time and money to get it back to a usable condition again.

Here’s how you can prep your deck for the Fall:

Inspect

The first thing you want to do is inspect your deck for any problems. Loose boards, rotting planks or any other type of damage will only get worse once summer is over and the deck is allowed to sit untouched during the rain and snow. Thoroughly go over every board, and bring a tool like a screwdriver along. You can use this tool to poke at any imperfections you might find. If the screwdriver sinks into the wood, that’s a sign of rot or damage that needs to be repaired.

Repair

Once you have identified any damage, repair it by replacing the wood. This is a fairly straight-forward operation if you are dealing with the planks on the deck or railing, but can be a lot trickier if the damage is in the supports underneath. At that point, you definitely want to seek professional help to make sure your deck remains sturdy and strong.

Seal

You want to make sure the wood is protected during the winter. Once the damaged boards have been replaced, then it’s time to protect the whole deck by applying a sealant. This will help keep the moisture out and prevent any future water damage or rot.

Clean

Before officially shutting your deck down for the season, give it a thorough cleaning. Remove all leaves and other organic material, and then spray it down to remove anything you might have missed. As the fall sets in and your trees drop their leaves, make sure to add cleaning the deck to your regular list of household duties, as leaves that are allowed to set for a long period of time can actually cause damage.

If you would like to know more about preparing your deck for the fall, or you need help with inspections and repairs, please contact us at Hunterdon Siding and Window today!