I just moved into a house. The deck appears to be in good shape,
except that the latest coat of oil based stain is peeling quite a
bit. I'm guessing its from snow sitting on it in the winter, as I am
located in the Chicago area. At this point, its too cold for me to
strip and re-stain.

I'd like to protect the wood this winter. Would putting a tarp over
it be reasonable? I read that this may not be a good idea, as it
would cause rot from lack of ventilation. So what's worse - bare wood
with snow sitting on it, or bare wood with a tarp covering the top of
it? Obviously air would still be able to travel to some extent thru
the bottom of the deck.

I guess a third option would be to just be vigilant about scooping
snow from it, but I'm not sure how practical that would be.

Thanks!

"someDude37" wrote in message

I'd like to protect the wood this winter. Would putting a tarp over
it be reasonable? I read that this may not be a good idea, as it
would cause rot from lack of ventilation. So what's worse - bare wood
with snow sitting on it, or bare wood with a tarp covering the top of
it? Obviously air would still be able to travel to some extent thru
the bottom of the deck.

If it is PT wood, the snow won't bother it. The peeling is probably from
being baked in the sun or poor prep. I'd just let it go until next spring.

On Oct 13, 9:36 pm, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:
"someDude37" wrote in message

I'd like to protect the wood this winter. Would putting a tarp over
it be reasonable? I read that this may not be a good idea, as it
would cause rot from lack of ventilation. So what's worse - bare wood
with snow sitting on it, or bare wood with a tarp covering the top of
it? Obviously air would still be able to travel to some extent thru
the bottom of the deck.

If it is PT wood, the snow won't bother it. The peeling is probably from
being baked in the sun or poor prep. I'd just let it go until next spring.

I agree, sounds like someone put a poor stain/ paint on, which causes
peeling. It will be OK for this winter, the snow and rain will not
damage it. Wait till next year.

not a bad idea to clean snow from deck.
snow can be very heavy , many decks collapse every year here in Maine each
winter
"Mikepier" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Oct 13, 9:36 pm, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:
"someDude37" wrote in message

I'd like to protect the wood this winter. Would putting a tarp over
it be reasonable? I read that this may not be a good idea, as it
would cause rot from lack of ventilation. So what's worse - bare wood
with snow sitting on it, or bare wood with a tarp covering the top of
it? Obviously air would still be able to travel to some extent thru
the bottom of the deck.

If it is PT wood, the snow won't bother it. The peeling is probably from
being baked in the sun or poor prep. I'd just let it go until next
spring.

I agree, sounds like someone put a poor stain/ paint on, which causes
peeling. It will be OK for this winter, the snow and rain will not
damage it. Wait till next year.

"someDude37" wrote in message
oups.com...
I just moved into a house. The deck appears to be in good shape,
except that the latest coat of oil based stain is peeling quite a
bit. I'm guessing its from snow sitting on it in the winter, as I am
located in the Chicago area. At this point, its too cold for me to
strip and re-stain.

I'd like to protect the wood this winter. Would putting a tarp over
it be reasonable? I read that this may not be a good idea, as it
would cause rot from lack of ventilation. So what's worse - bare wood
with snow sitting on it, or bare wood with a tarp covering the top of
it? Obviously air would still be able to travel to some extent thru
the bottom of the deck.

I guess a third option would be to just be vigilant about scooping
snow from it, but I'm not sure how practical that would be.

The tarp would be just about the worst thing you could do. Snow on the wood in
cold weather is not going to soak into the wood much. I'd just wait till next
year to worry about it.

Bob

someDude37 wrote in news:1192319510.128177.157860
@i38g2000prf.googlegroups.com:

I just moved into a house. The deck appears to be in good shape,
except that the latest coat of oil based stain is peeling quite a
bit. I'm guessing its from snow sitting on it in the winter, as I am
located in the Chicago area. At this point, its too cold for me to
strip and re-stain.

I'd like to protect the wood this winter. Would putting a tarp over
it be reasonable? I read that this may not be a good idea, as it
would cause rot from lack of ventilation. So what's worse - bare wood
with snow sitting on it, or bare wood with a tarp covering the top of
it? Obviously air would still be able to travel to some extent thru
the bottom of the deck.

I guess a third option would be to just be vigilant about scooping
snow from it, but I'm not sure how practical that would be.

Thanks!



be vigilant about scooping
snow from it, but I'm not sure how practical that would be.

I use my leaf blower year round. Snow from decks & walk is removed easily
providing it hasn't been trampled and packed down. Can do a whole deck in
a few minutes.

Great for blowing off vehicles as well.

latest coat of oil based stain is peeling quite a bit.

Wonder how wet it was when put on...the deck I mean.

"Mike S." wrote in
:

Your snow must be a lot lighter than our snow, I don't think a blower
would make a dent in the wet 18" deep snowfalls we tend to get in NJ.
A heavy duty pushbroom gets it right off the deck as long as the deck
has a nice coat of stain/sealer on it, unless it falls wet then
freezes overnight into a solid layer before you move it. In that case
your in for a lot more work with a shovel, and risk scraping the
boards if your not real careful. It's important to keep that deck
clear though so we can use the barbeque, nothing beats a nice grilled
steak in the middle of winter :-)



I've done Jersey snow, NY snow, CT snow, VT snow, and more. Yea there is a
difference for sure. Slush always comes to mind for the tri-state area.

Best snow I ever saw was in the 3 yrs I was in NC (almost SC). It snowed
once for like 3 minutes. It melted in 3 min.

Thanks to all who responded. This really helps ease my mind. I will
plan on completely stripping and restaining it in the spring.

Thanks!