Preparing Your Cedar Decking
If you don't already have one, it's a good idea to invest in purchasing or even temporarily renting a patio cover, as winter weather can be unpredictable. For protection against the wind, you can install plastic curtains that roll up and down along the cover.
Performing basic maintenance procedures, such as picking up fallen leaves and debris or wiping down your outside furniture, will make your decking materials look more inviting. For tasks such as removing dirt from your deck in this freezing weather, make sure to sweep instead of spraying it with a hose to prevent ice from forming in your decking. Finally, place deck heaters around your cedar deck in order to warm up your guests and encourage them to stay out longer.
Decorating Your Cedar Deck
Now that your deck looks presentable, it's time to add a little something extra to enhance the holiday spirit. Here are some fun ideas:
- Hang wreaths or garlands and LED light strings on your deck railing.
- If you have plants on your deck, adorn some of them with lights and holiday ornaments.
- Fill two hurricane vases with shiny round ornaments and place one at each end of a table. Use battery-operated candles to illuminate them.
- For an outdoor table centerpiece that will compliment your decking, decorate a small live coniferous tree with tiny ornaments and a little strand of LED lights.
Saving Your Decking Materials from Spills
During a party, there is always the risk that something will get spilled. Red wine, the enemy to all carpets, poses a threat to your decking materials as well. If you are serving red wine or other colorful beverages, you can clean up the spills on your decking with ingredients you can find in your pantry. Here are some basic steps for cleaning up these spills and saving your deck from stains:
- Soak up the beverage with paper towels.
- Remove broken glass if there is any.
- Pour a layer of table salt over the area and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Remove the salt and cover the area with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of powdered pumice, 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Apply with a soft cloth in the same direction as the grain of your cedar deck. Let this sit for 10 minutes.
- Remove this pumice mixture with a cloth that has been soaked in linseed oil.
- Repeat until the stain is gone.
Your cedar deck should be appreciated all year long, not just in the summer. Spruce it up and show it off by utilizing it for your winter festivities.
Investing in a patio cover is just one way to make your cedar deck usable during the winter while also protecting your cedar decking materials. Learn more about cedar decking winterization and maintenance at http://www.ricksfencing.com/, the experts in decking Portland, Oregon residents trust.