A wood deck should last for many years, but it needs to be properly cared for. As the weather turns cold, you need to make sure your deck is prepared for winter. Winterizing your deck can be as simple as a thorough cleaning, but not always. The age and condition of your wood deck should be your guide when you determine exactly what your deck needs before frigid temperatures arrive.

If you have a new deck, this step is unnecessary, but for decks more than a couple years old, you need to take a close look at the surface. For painted or stained decks, make sure there is no chipping or the finish hasn't been stripped down to bare wood. For a deck built of unfinished pressure-treated or sealed wood, make sure it still repels rather than absorbs water.

If everything checks out, or if you have a new deck, you simply need to thoroughly clean your deck to prepare it for winter. The fastest way to do this is with a pressure washer. Be careful, however, pressure washers can damage wood. Even if you take a very light approach, pressure washing can shorten the life of your deck. A better--if more time-consuming--solution is to hand wash your deck using a deck-cleaning product or a solution of oxygen bleach and water.

If the surface of your deck is showing some damage, you need to take care of it before winter arrives. The first step is to clean it as described above. If the finish of your stained or painted deck is only damaged in a few spots, you can get away with simply sanding and repainting or staining those areas. If the damage is more widespread, you should strip off the existing finish (there are chemical products available that make this relatively easy) and refinish it. If you have an unfinished wood deck that is no longer effectively repelling water, you need to seal it with a water repellent finish.

Ask the Builder, How to Clean a Deck, by Tim Carter

The Natural Handyman, Fall is the Time to Winterize Your Deck!!