Have you ever wondered why ducks’ feet do not freeze when temperatures drop? We at UglyDeck.com have, so we checked into it. Turns out, overwintering birds have a sort of heat exchange system in their bodies. The heated blood that leaves the heart passes by cold blood returning to the heart from the feet. That colder blood cools down the warm blood and minimizes heat loss while supplying just enough warmth to prevent frostbite and to provide oxygen and nutrients to the tissues in the legs and feet.
Though ducks have an ingenious, built-in system for handling cold temperatures, your outdoor deck does not. That is why proper winter preparations are so important, especially if you have a wooden deck.
Clean Your Composite Decking for Winter
For wooden decks, clean surfaces thoroughly with a specially formulated, non-bleach cleaner. Next, apply a water-repellent finish to prevent moisture from penetrating the surface and causing warping and cracking. For composite decking products like those from UglyDeck.com, simply give them a good rinse and a gentle brushing to remove debris and spots (like grill drippings).
When that first snow arrives, as it inevitably will, UglyDeck.com’s Minnesota deck builders suggest keeping in mind how to remove snow properly. Chemically based ice-melt products, sand, and metal shovels can damage decks, especially composite decking. It is better to simply use calcium-chloride based products that say they are safe for concrete, blue flag stone, and grass.
If you have questions about prepping your deck for winter, or if you are considering a deck replacement project, contact us today. We are happy to discuss outdoor deck materials and deck solutions for winter. You are also welcome to stop by our UglyDeck.com showroom in Shakopee to see the best maintenance free decking products available and chat with our team of experienced deck builders.
