If you are one of those lucky pergola owners, you understand what an amazing living space it is. It is the perfect place to relax and entertain in the warmer months of the year.

However, when bad weather comes around, it is important to prepare your pergola for the elements. If your pergola is built with timber, then you would no doubt already perform regular maintenance to ensure it’s in top condition. If your pergola is made with aluminium or steel (which many are nowadays), then little to no maintenance is necessary.

Regardless of your pergola’s material, when bad weather comes rolling around there are certain things that need to be done to ensure the pergola’s ongoing safety.

Preparing the Pergola for Winter

Your location will determine the intensity of your winters, but if you’re used experiencing wet and cold winter months, you want to protect your pergola in the following ways:

  • Waterproof the Deck: if your deck consists of timber, treat it with some coats of waterproofing sealant to aid its protection from any rain that blows into your pergola. Before you apply the sealant, ensure you sweet your deck and remove any unwanted debris such as leaves and dirt that might have built up between boards.
  • Seal Any Gaps: if your pergola contains windows, ensure there are no gaps where wind and drafts can creep in. If your pergola is open air, seal the windows and doors opening onto it from the house with weather strips or caulking.
  • Clean Downpipes and Gutters: If your pergola is attached to the roof of your home, ensure your downpipes and gutters are clear and free of rust. Overflow from congested gutters in heavy winter downpours can potentially cause extensive damage to both your pergola and your home.

Preparing the Pergola for Storms

If the weather you experience in your location is more severe, you will want to take more drastic measures to ensure your pergola’s safety. This includes:

  • Clean your whole backyard, removing any loose items that could become flying missiles in the event of a storm.
  • Remove backyard furniture, storing it in a shed. This way it can’t cause damage or become airborne during a storm. Place waterproof covering over large heavy items.
  • Take plants and pots indoors or store them in the shed. Plants often don’t survive in heavy winds, so it is important to keep them protected from the elements.
  • Cut back overhanging tree branches located near your pergola, ensuring you do this well before a forecasted storm rolls around, as right before will be too late.
  • If your pergola has glass, tape it with masking tape or duct tape to prevent glass from shattering into the pergola.

Hopefully these measures are unnecessary for your home’s location, but it is never a bad idea to be prepared. By following the above simple methods, your pergola should remain safe from the elements, ready to be enjoyed for years to come.