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Fall Is The Time To Winterize Your Deck!!
Our appreciation to Wolman Wood Care Products for providing this article, with slight editing
If the summer has taken a toll on your deck (see graphic at right for the gory details) or if you've just invested in a new one, now is the time to clean, restore and protect the wood from possible moisture damage during the winter months ahead. Here are some tips for winterizing your deck from the experts at Wolman Wood Care Products:
Clean the deck thoroughly to remove dirt, fungus growth and
gray surface wood with a formulated deck cleaner like Wolman© Deck & Fence
Brightener. Weathered gray wood, rust spots and stains from mildew, moss, algae
and tannin bleed can ruin the look of your deck. Even newly built decks can
require cleaning to remove invisible surface barriers that prevent the adhesion
of stains and sealers. Wolman® Deck & Fence Brightener,
Strip any deteriorating or unwanted finish. If the colored stain on your deck has seen better days, now is the time to strip your deck's finish. Products like Wolman DeckStrip® Stain & Finish Remover remove both oil and latex solid or semi-transparent stains and clear finishes and prepare the wood for the reapplication of protective finishes and stains. For really stubborn, hard-to-strip acrylic or latex stains and paints, Wolman makes a product called DeckStrip® A&L, which can strip multiple layers in as little as 15 minutes.
Seal your deck with a water repellent finish before the onslaught of winter. Water repellents stop rain, sleet, snow and ice from penetrating the wood surface, which can cause warping and cracking. Look for products like Wolman RainCoat© or F&P©, which offer a guarantee on water-repellent longevity, as they will provide longer lasting protection so you won't have to apply a new coat every year.
“Winterizing” your deck will protect it from the elements, while protecting your investment in it. For more information on Wolman wood cleaners, strippers and water repellent finishes as well as more helpful deck care tips, visit the Wolman web site!