Fall deck winterization

A few simple steps before winter that pay off come spring.

Clear the deck. Take off the planters, furniture, grill mats, and anything else that has been sitting in the same spot all summer. Sun bleaches around them and trapped moisture rots underneath.

Sweep thoroughly. Get every leaf and twig off the boards. Wet leaves freezing and thawing all winter is the worst thing for a deck finish.

Check the gaps. Boards expand and contract with temperature. If you have debris stuck in the gaps between boards, dig it out. Trapped moisture there causes rot faster than anywhere else.

Look for cracks and splits. Small splits in November are big splits in April after a few freeze-thaw cycles. If you see anything concerning, get an opinion before winter sets in.

Cover what you cannot move. Permanent fixtures like fire pits and built-in benches need a breathable cover, not plastic that traps moisture.