We all love Michigan winters! If not for anything else, it serves as a reminder of our joy for the warmth. Spring is the start of deck and grilling season, after all!
But what should you do ahead of time to prepare your deck for winter? Once the cold weather arrives and rain turns to snow, what must you do to keep it looking great and in good shape? And let’s not forget about the beginning of spring; what kind of care does your deck need then?
To answer these questions, we’ll be covering our top Trex decking winter care tips. Including what to do before, during, and after winter to keep your deck in top shape!
Let’s get started.
Preparing for Winter
The good news is there’s essentially nothing you need to do to prep your decking or your deck’s structure for winter!
If you have any furniture with fabric not designed for winter use, now is a good time to throw a tarp or furniture cover over them. Or better yet, keep them in a patio storage unit or bring them inside to your basement for the winter.
Winter Use
Are you an outdoor fanatic who loves spending time outside regardless of the weather? Maybe you even plan to grill all year long? That’s fantastic! So the real question becomes, how can you use your deck safely throughout the winter?
Fortunately, that’s easy! You just need to keep a plastic-tipped shovel handy. And we must emphasize using a plastic tip, not metal. Because constant scraping of a jagged metal-tipped shovel could scratch your deck, leaving visible damage.
Also, we recommend avoiding salt and salt alternatives for removing ice. These products, a common one being calcium chloride, are safe for most composite decking materials, including Trex. However, they are NOT safe for many of the fasteners and connectors used to build a deck.
The salt may cause corrosion and lead to costly repairs or a catastrophic failure of your deck. All you need to enjoy your deck in the winter is a plastic-tipped shovel and a bit of work.
After Winter Care
Spring is here! The Goldfinches have turned bright yellow, the snow has melted, and the robins are looking for worms. Your deck should be ready to go!
However, we recommend giving it an occasional cleaning. Nothing on the maintenance side, just general care for your deck. Usually, this just entails sweeping or hosing it down. If any spots give you a hard time, try using a mild dish soap with a soft- or stiff-bristled brush. That should do the trick!
Also, while usually not necessary each spring, you can use a power washer for cleaning. It should be safe for Trex decks as long as you’re following these guidelines:
- Use a PSI lower than 3100
- Hold the gun 12 inches away from the deck’s surface
- Use with the fan blade attachment
If you’d like to learn more about general care for your Trex deck, check out our post: How to Care For and Clean a Trex Deck (And What Not to Do)
Conclusion
There you have it, our top Trex decking winter care tips. All you really need is a plastic-tipped shovel and a bit of time to clear off your deck. And for the rest of the year, a quick sweep or hose down is all it takes to keep your deck at its finest.
It can’t get much easier than that!
What Next?
Are you thinking about building a brand new deck? Let’s talk!
At Custom Deck Creations, we build composite decks for clients across SE Michigan. Our builds are all custom-made, so we can take what you love about your current deck and make all the improvements you need!
If that sounds appealing to you, please get in touch! We’ll chat about your project and give you a free over-the-phone estimate. Also, feel free to look through our most recent projects for inspiration.
Did you enjoy this post? Please share it with a friend in the area who’s considering building a deck. Want to keep reading? Check out these posts next:
