Winter Is on the Way! Here Are Some Tips to Prep Your Patio

One of the perks of living in southeast Texas is the weather. On average, high temperatures don’t drop below 60°F all year, and average lows don’t dip below 40°F. Despite the temperate weather, there are still some steps you can take for patio prep in the winter season.

Conducting regular general maintenance on your backyard patio can not only keep it looking nice but can extend its lifespan too.

This article will offer some helpful tips to prep your patio for winter.

Remove debris

In Houston, you might not be dealing with snow, but there are still usually a handful of days with below-freezing temperatures. You’ll also have to deal with a minimal amount of rain. With the possibility of freezing temperatures and rain, you don’t want to run the risk of any leaves, dirt, twigs or other debris getting rained on and frozen, as this could cause staining to your patio.

Update your lighting

If you’d like, you’ll probably be able to use your patio in Houston this winter, as the temperatures shouldn’t be too frigid. You will have to deal with shorter daylight hours because of the time of year, however. This offers a great opportunity to either replace your patio’s current lighting setup or implement some new and different types of lighting, like overhead string lights, that could offer a different type of vibe this winter.

Make necessary repairs

One of the key tenets of patio prep for winter season is repairing any cracks or gaps in your patio’s hardscape surface. How you do this will vary depending on what material your patio’s hardscape is made of (brick, cement, pavers, etc.). Taking care of this before winter is beneficial because the cold weather and its accompanying freeze-thaw cycles can make any gaps in your patio’s base material larger and more pronounced—and that’s the last thing you need if you intend on using your patio this winter.

Protect your furniture

One of the more essential tips to prep for winter with your patio is to take the time to protect your patio furniture. For wood furniture, this means applying a waterproof sealant. Any wrought iron furniture that you may own should receive a rust-resistant primer in addition to a fresh coat of exterior-grade enamel paint. Wicker furniture can be protected by a clear marine varnish, and you can use Scotchgard on any fabric cushions or furniture to shield them from water stains.

Add some heat

If you don’t already have a fire pit near your outdoor patio, you could consider building one. It would not only provide a heat source that could make your patio usable year-round, but it would be a unique way to cook food as well.

If you don’t want to build a new fire pit, you could try a portable fire pit made of steel or iron, which you can find reasonably priced at most retail stores. If you already have a fire pit, you could look into a portable outdoor heater or two to allow you and your loved ones to sit outside when the temperature drops.

Call for your patio cover today

Another valuable tip to prep your patio for winter is investing in a cover. That’s where we at ABC Awning Company come in. We have over 50 years of experience constructing metal patio covers in Houston, TX, and we’d be happy to discuss one with you today.

Categorised in: Patio Company