Your Home

Protect Your Deck For The Winter

Posted: 12/8/2011

A few deck survival steps can help you keep it looking beautiful longer.

(NAPSI)—Foot traffic, food spills and weather can take their toll on any deck, but you can clean and protect your deck to prepare it for the winter with a few simple steps.

• Clean Thoroughly: Ground-in dirt and barbecue stains can ruin your deck’s appearance and ultimately degrade the wood. Exposure to sun can cause wood to gray and weather and exposure to moisture can encourage the growth of mold, mildew, moss and algae.

Use a bleach-free cleaner specifically formulated for wood to restore your deck to its natural beauty without bleaching or yellowing as chlorine bleach can. Cleaners such as Jomax Deck Wash loosen and lift dirt from gray weathered wood and remove stains caused by mold and mildew to prepare the deck for a new protective coating. A convenient hose mount applicator makes it easy to use; just attach to an ordinary garden hose and spray.

If your stained or painted deck has seen better days, consider stripping any faded or deteriorating finish prior to applying a water-repellent sealer or stain.

• Apply a Protective Finish: After cleaning, it’s important to apply a water-repellent finish to protect your deck against the damaging effects of winter. Moisture from ice, snow, sleet and rain can penetrate the surface if it’s not protected and can cause splitting, cracking and warping. Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of premium exterior wood finishes that offer protection against the elements, while giving you the opportunity to achieve just about any look you like.

For example, if you’re looking for a clear water repellent to protect against water damage without changing the color of the wood, you can choose Rust-Oleum Premium Water Sealer. It can protect your deck against the elements for three years.

For maximum protection against water absorption and maximum durability, there’s Rust-Oleum Premium Deck and Fence Stain. It’s available in both solid and semi-transparent formulas in 22 different colors. What’s more, it’s backed by a 10-year satisfaction guarantee so it can keep your deck protected and looking beautiful for years.

The stain also features breakthrough Cool Touch Technology, which reflects solar rays to keep surfaces cooler to the touch.

For more information and helpful wood care tips, visit www.rustoleum.com.

About The Messenger | Copyright Notice
American River Messenger | Paul V. Scholl, Publisher
7405 Greenback Lane, #129 | Citrus Heights, CA 95610-5603 | Telephone: 916-773-1111 | Fax Line 916-773-2999
Email: publisher@AmericanRiverMessenger.com | Site Designed and Hosted by TheSiteBarn.com
ISSN#: 1948-1969