If your outdoor area in Sydney is adorned by a pergola, you have possibly spent countless hours relishing the shade and privacy a pergola provides during the scorching summer season. A pergola effectively adds definition and character to your outdoor space, also creating a comfy nook for you, your loved ones as well as your outdoor plants.

If you have a pergola installed in your home, you must have noticed that it is subjected to varied kinds of weather conditions throughout the year – hot summer days, wintry nights, and rainy days. Over a period of time, mildew and mould attack the structure of a pergola, thus changing its overall appearance. Who would want such a magnificent structure being destroyed in front of their eyes? Irrespective of whether the pergola is constructed from wood or vinyl, it demands proper maintenance once in a year to retain its look and also increase the lifespan.

When the bad weather takes over Sydney, it is crucial that you prepare your pergola for the same, in advance. In case the pergola is created using timber, then it is advisable to maintain it regularly to ensure it remains in the best condition. In case the pergola is constructed using steel or aluminium, then minimal to no maintenance is required.

Irrespective of the material used, any time terrible weather hits in, there are a few things you must do to ensure the safety of your pergola:

Preparing Your Pergola for the Winters:

A roofed pergola keeps you dry during the cold rainy season. A clear pergola roof allows the sunlight to enter, so you do not have to suffer from the gloomy mood that usually sets in during the winters. And when the sun sets, it is a great time to enjoy some time out in the pergola with your loved ones by building a fire pit or a fireplace. In case they aren’t available, you can also use a portable electric heater. Here are a few ways in which you can protect the pergola during the winter season:

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Waterproofing the deck: If you have a timber deck, make sure to treat it with a coat of suitable waterproofing sealant to protect it from heavy rains that drain your pergola. Prior to applying the sealant, make it a point to sweep off the deck to get rid of any kind of unwanted debris and dirt that might have settled between the boards.

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Sealing all the gaps: If there are windows in your pergola, make sure there aren’t any gaps that could cause the cold winds to sink in. If your pergola is an open-air structure, seal all the doors and windows that open into it from the house. Sealants come in a number of brands, so it is best to seek consultation from a good dealer that would advise you a sealant you should buy to suit your particular pergola in order to keep in in a pristine condition.

Cleaning the Gutters and Downpipes: In case your pergola is attached to the roof of your house, make sure that you clear up all the gutters and downpipes. They can be rusted easily, so it is important to clean them. Overflowing of the blocked drains during the winter season can cause a lot of damage to both your home as well as the pergola.

Preparing Your Pergola for the Storm:

Storms are quite prevalent in the Sydney area, and thus it is crucial to take more drastic steps to protect your pergola and increase its life. Some of these steps are listed below:

• Clean the entire backyard, making sure to get rid of any loose items that could fly here and there during the storm, causing damage to the pergola and its furnishings.
• It is best to move your backyard furniture and store it in the shed. By doing so, it won’t cause any damage or become airborne during the stormy weather. Don’t forget to cover the furniture with a waterproof covering.
• Trim down the overhanging branches of the trees near your pergola. And it is vital to do so before a forecasted storm hits your area.
• In case your pergola contains glass, make it a point to tape it using duct tape to prevent the glass from splintering into the pergola.

By adopting the measures mentioned above and maintaining your pergola from time to time, you can rest assured that your pergola will remain a prized possession in your yard for years to come. For those of you that don’t have your pergola built yet and would like the speak with a local decking and pergola specialist builder that you can trust click here.

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