Do you want to step outside next spring and have your patio just like you left it?
Most homeowners don't. They pull the tarp back in April and find:
Cracked pavers
Rotting deck boards
A sagging freestanding pergola cover
Here's the problem:
Winter doesn't snap things in two overnight. It creeps up on them. Water leaks in, freezes, and pushes them apart little by little every week.
Skip the prep now, and you pay for the repairs later.
The best news? Most spring repair bills can be completely avoided. An afternoon of work in late fall will keep your outdoor space in pristine condition.
Time to dive in!
Inside this guide:
Why Winter Is So Hard On Outdoor Spaces
Start With Your Freestanding Pergola Cover
Clean, Seal & Store Everything Else
Don't Forget The Plumbing
Watch Out For Gutters & Drainage
Why Winter Is So Hard On Outdoor Spaces
Winter is rough on everything that lives outdoors. And costs just keep mounting.
Swiss Re says that winter storms have driven more than $7 billion of insured losses per year on average in the US since 2021. This exceeds three times the annual average seen during the previous decade.
Most of that damage comes from three things:
Freezing water
Heavy snow and ice
Strong winter winds
Think about it:
Your patio, deck and pergola live outdoors day and night. They receive whatever punishment Mother Nature dishes out. Your home has insulation and heat to keep it safe. Your outdoor living area has nothing...unless you give it some protection.
Start With Your Freestanding Pergola Cover
The pergola is typically the largest structure in your backyard. That is why it should be inspected first.
Freestanding pergola covers get more abuse than attached pergola covers. Why, you ask? Because they don't have your house to help support them. All of the posts, beams and panels have to individually support the snow load. If you are researching your patio cover options before winter sets in, search for a freestanding pergola cover that is built to shed water and bear snow weight -- rather than simply block the summer sun.
Here's what to check before the first frost:
Loose screws and brackets
Tears or sagging in fabric canopies
Gaps where water can sit and freeze
Rust spots on metal posts
Pull back and store retractable fabric covers when snow is expected. Fabric is not meant to support heavy weight. One wet snow storm will stretch it out of shape.
Permanent covers are a different story. Aluminum and polycarbonate panels are meant to last through the entire winter season. However, you should still brush off snow after major storms.
Simple, right?
Clean, Seal & Store Everything Else
Leaves & dirt aren't harmless. Leaves and debris left on your deck all winter trap moisture against the boards. Moisture equals mold, stains & rot.
So before winter hits, give everything a proper clean.
Decks and Patios
Brush off all leaves and debris. Wash the surface with a mild cleaner and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Wood decks should be resealed every 1-2 years. Do the "water test" -- pour a few drops of water on the boards. If it absorbs into the wood rather than bead up... seal away!
Stone and concrete pavers should be sealed as well. If they are not sealed they absorb water. When this water freezes it expands and cracks the stone from within.
Outdoor Furniture
Cushions should come inside. Full stop.
"Waterproof" fabric is still damp underneath a layer of snow for weeks. Frames can be left outside if they're aluminum or resin. Simply cover with breathable furniture covers. Plastic tarps hold moisture in and do more damage than they prevent.
You'll care more about this than you think. Seventy-seven percent of folks surveyed by ICFA admitted to underutilizing their outdoor space. Returning to moldy, broken furniture this spring only gives them another reason to avoid it.
Don't Forget The Plumbing
This is the big one...
The most costly thing to overlook is outdoor water lines. When water freezes inside a pipe, it causes the pipe to split open. No one usually notices until springtime when they go to turn on the faucet.
The costs are astronomical. According to State Farm figures, the average claim topped $30,000 for frozen pipe and freeze-related water damage.
Ouch.
Protect your plumbing with these steps:
Disconnect and drain all garden hoses
Shut off the indoor valve that feeds your outdoor taps
Open the outdoor taps to drain any leftover water
Blow out irrigation lines (or hire a pro to do it)
Drain fountains, birdbaths and water features
It takes about an hour. And it can save you thousands.
Watch Out For Gutters & Drainage
Here's something most homeowners forget about...
Water has to go somewhere. If your house, shed or patio cover's gutters are clogged with leaves, water runs off the edge. It pools around posts, pavers and foundations -- places you don't want water.
Clogged gutters also cause ice dams. HazardHub by Guidewire found that water damage claims caused by ice dams average $11,100.
Why spend all that money when a ladder and some gloves could have prevented it?
Clean your gutters once the leaves have stopped falling. Afterward, make sure all downspouts are draining at least 3 feet away from your home or other buildings.
The One-Weekend Checklist
Short on time? Work through this list in a single weekend:
Inspect your pergola and tighten loose parts
Remove or retract fabric canopies
Clean and seal decks and pavers
Bring cushions and soft furnishings inside
Drain hoses, taps and irrigation lines
Clear gutters and downspouts
Trim branches that hang over your patio
The last thing can be easy to forget. Deep snow and ice can snap branches and send them crashing through your cover or furniture overnight.
Before The First Frost Hits
Winterization prep is no fun. But it is the least expensive way to protect your outdoor living area.
Approximately 85% of homes have some form of outdoor living area. Each one of them deals with winter hazards. The only question is if the homeowner takes care of it now... or spends money later.
To quickly recap:
Check your freestanding pergola cover and other structures first
Clean and seal every surface
Protect your outdoor plumbing
Keep water flowing away from your space
Do this every fall and your patio will be good to go the instant spring arrives. No unexpected repair bills. No weekends wasted fixing preventable problems.
Just more time outside.
