Excel Custom Decks Now Offering Pre-Winter Pool Deck Inspections in Sherman
SHERMAN, WI — Excel Custom Decks, a family-owned outdoor construction company with more than 25 years of experience serving the Sherman area, is now scheduling pre-winter pool deck inspections for residential property owners before freezing temperatures set in and surface damage becomes significantly more expensive to address.
Wisconsin Winters Are Hard on Pool Decks
Sherman’s winters combine freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snowfall, and prolonged sub-zero temperatures in ways that most building materials aren’t designed to handle without preparation. Water that works its way into surface cracks expands as it freezes, widening those cracks with each successive cycle and weakening the connections between deck boards, fasteners, and framing members below the surface. Property owners who address these vulnerabilities before the first hard freeze stop this cycle before it becomes a structural problem.
Wood and composite surfaces face different but equally real risks. Wood decking absorbs moisture readily and benefits from a fresh application of water-repellent sealer before temperatures drop consistently below freezing. Composite surfaces resist moisture absorption but still develop cracks and loose fasteners over time, both of which cold temperatures will worsen if left unaddressed heading into winter.
Drainage Management Prevents Ice Damage
Standing water on a pool deck freezes into ice sheets that damage surfaces and create safety hazards, particularly around expansion joints and fastener points where water collects naturally. Clearing drainage gaps, removing debris from between boards, and confirming the deck surface still slopes away from the home all reduce water accumulation risk during winter precipitation events.
Surface cleaning before winter removes organic material that holds moisture against deck boards through the cold months. Leaves, algae residue, and dirt that build up through summer and fall create ideal conditions for mold growth and wood fiber breakdown if left in place. A thorough cleaning followed by a sealant inspection closes off moisture entry points and gives property owners a clear picture of the deck’s current condition.
Hardware and Structural Connections Need Attention Too
Temperature fluctuations cause metal to expand and contract, gradually loosening fastener connections, railing posts, and bracket assemblies that were secure during warmer months. Inspecting and tightening these connections before winter keeps deck structures stable and safe through the season.
Pool decks with lighting systems, electrical outlets, or water features require additional steps. Draining water lines connected to the deck, verifying the weather ratings of installed fixtures, and sealing electrical conduit entry points all protect these systems from sustained cold. Completing this work before the ground freezes avoids the access complications that arise once winter conditions fully take hold.
Snow Removal Approach Matters
Metal shovels and sharp-edged ice scrapers damage deck board surfaces and should be swapped for plastic snow shovels or rubber-edged tools before the first significant snowfall arrives. For ice management, calcium chloride is the better choice over rock salt, which accelerates fastener corrosion and degrades both wood and composite materials with repeated seasonal use. Removing snow in layers rather than all at once also reduces sudden load stress on framing members that may already carry some moisture-related weakening from the warmer months.
About Excel Custom Decks
Excel Custom Decks is a family-owned outdoor construction company serving Sherman and the surrounding region with more than 25 years of experience and over 5,000 completed projects. The company builds and installs residential decking, deck railing, deck lighting, pergolas, porches, gazebos, pavers, and comprehensive outdoor living spaces. Excel Custom Decks backs all work with a lifetime labor warranty and material warranties of up to 50 years on qualifying products.
Property owners in Sherman can schedule a free pre-winter deck inspection or surface assessment by calling Excel Custom Decks at (608) 712-8935.