Prepare Like a Bear

I think there is a lot to be learned from nature; as the great Albert Einstein said “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Fall is now upon us, with a change in colors, light, and air. In my opinion, this is one of the best times of the year for outdoor living.

What do animals do during autumn? If you notice, they’re all busy preparing for winter. Many of them have distinct routines, but the one thing they all have in common is preparation. Squirrels come to mind, gathering and storing as much food as they can to last through winter. Other animals, like bears, eat extra food in order to store the energy as fat and then find or build a warm shelter to hibernate through the winter. Even the birds prepare by migrating as a flock to warmer climates where it’s easier for them to find food to survive.

We humans have a different set of situations to prepare for and problems to solve. Just like our animal friends, a little preparation will go a long way and pay dividends for years to come. We want to give you a few tips to protect and preserve your deck’s beauty as best as possible.

Some reports say that this will be an “El Nino” year, but I don’t know if that means there will be heavy snow or light snow. In Colorado, winter can come at any time and no one knows how long it will last. Fortunately there are a lot of nice, mild days throughout winter to enjoy the outdoors.

Make sure you take every opportunity you have to utilize your outdoor living space and don’t worry about over preparing. I know this is a busy time of year; however, consider planning some gatherings to celebrate the change of season before we get walloped with snow. Enjoy at least one last barbecue for a Broncos or college football game. If you are fortunate enough to have a fire pit, make an event of it and invite your friends and family over! Most folks don’t mind putting on a comfortable sweater to sit around and share stories while experiencing the inviting ambiance of a cozy fire. Make sure to be a great host and supply warm drinks like hot cider, tea, coffee, or my favorite, hot chocolate with a generous splash of peppermint schnapps to warm your guests from the inside.

On a practical note, there are a few things you should be aware of before the winter season begins when it comes to proper deck care. Many homeowners prefer to have their deck finished in the spring for optimum appearance during the summer, which is great; but it’s actually the fall and pre-winter protective coats that are most important to protect your deck from moisture and the freeze-thaw cycle of winter.

In the winter, moisture is constantly going through a cycle of freezing and thawing. This leads to expansion and contraction of nearly all things, potentially creating problems like uneven roads and driveways, or damage to your deck if it is not properly sealed and protected.

Snow removal is another important aspect to consider in winter deck care. When the snow is light, we recommend using a push broom which is much friendlier to the surface of your deck than a shovel. When the snow is heavier, we strongly recommend using a plastic shovel without a metal blade. Using a shovel with a metal edge can, and often will, lead to inadvertently causing deep scratches in your beautiful deck.

We advise picking up an all plastic shovel ahead of time to avoid the rush that comes after the first big snow. It’s often wise to dedicate and label one shovel specifically for clearing your deck so you can have a heavier duty shovel for the driveway and walkways. Be careful while shoveling stairways to avoid slipping. Clearing your deck of plant pots and extra furnishings will save you time and make clearing the deck easier when it comes time to shovel. However, you’ll still want to leave some pieces of furniture as we all know there is typically a fair share of warm and beautiful days throughout the winter in Colorado.