In winter, when snowstorms, freezes, and frost rage outside the window, a warm home is definitely the nicest place. Except from the necessary clearing the paths of snow, we spend little time in other outdoor spaces – for example, terraces. And this is a big mistake because a ceramic or clinker cladding on the outside requires a little bit of attention from us during the coldest months. In this article, we will suggest on what things we should focus and care about in the winter, so that we will enjoy our terrace from spring to autumn for the long, long years.
1. Choose frost and slip-resistant
If you are only considering a terrace cladding for your home, you need to remember about the most important parameters, guaranteeing you a durable and safe use of the tiles: frost and slip resistance. The quality of frost-resistance when selecting tiles for outdoor use is obvious. However, we happen to underestimate the anti-slip parameter. And in this respect, the error in the choice can be painful – in the literal sense. The selection of the following things is equally important: the appropriate, frost-resistant, and elastic adhesives and joints, as well as entrusting assembly work to a professional and reliable executive team.
Slip-resistant tiles will protect us against painful surprises in the winter.
2. Get ready before winter comes…
Of course, it is worth thinking about the terrace before winter makes itself comfortable for good. Until the snow is falling, and the temperature during the day and at night stays significantly above zero, it is worth to do a thorough review of the technical condition of the terrace and protect it from the winter. How to do it? We have already written a lot about it on our blog. And in a telegraphic shortcut: it is necessary to diagnose in time and repair possible leaks in the joints and mechanical damage in the tiles because these are the sensitive points, which largely depend on the longevity and good technical condition of the terrace
Ceramic tiles manufactured by Ceramika Paradyż should not be covered with any additional impregnants. However, if we have clinker tiles on the terrace, it is worth protecting them before winter with oily preparations applied in layers.
Clinker tiles can be protected with oily impregnating preparations in the autumn.
In the grip of frost
Cold fog, adorning the trees and shrubs with unique, frosted decoration, leaves a thin, slippery layer on our terrace. Because sometimes fog is invisible, we have to remember about it especially when we did not evaluate the anti-slip parameter when choosing ceramic tiles.
Frost usually evaporates during the day, without significantly affecting the technical condition of the terrace, so – apart from cautious stepping on the tiles in the morning, we do not have to worry about it too much.
3. Remember about regular clearing
The white and fluffy quilt of snow pleases the eye, however it can be a threat for our terrace. Heavy layers of settling snow are an unnecessary burden for the ceramic cladding.
In addition, the substantial temperature differences during the day, especially during the sunny ones, cause partial melting of snow. Repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, with a natural change in the volume of water, can harm our terrace in case of even small gaps in the joints. Therefore, we have to regularly remove the snow from the terrace.
Remnants of snow evaporate quickly from the snow-cleared surfaces, thanks to which our place of summer rest will not suffer during frosts.
4. Use exclusively the soft and delicate tools for clearing the terrace
To remove the snow from the terrace, it is worth choosing soft rubber tools which will not cause mechanical damage to the joints, surfaces or edges of the tiles. Ordinary shovels for removing snow from concrete pavements are usually made of hard plastic and these are definitely too hard for ceramic and clinker claddings.
In this picture, the summer is still in full swing. When the winter comes, the umbrellas will disappear and the terrace space will require regular snow removal.
5. Keep the terrace clean also in winter
For all that is well, we have to do the right thing.
The dirt does no good for the terrace, regardless of the season. Mud, sand, and coal dust bite the hardest in winter. That is why – apart from regular snow removal – it is worth sweeping the terrace of these pollutants, irrespective of the temperature. If, however, we plan to wet wash the cladding of the terrace, it will be safe to do it during the thaw, when the thermometer shows a few bars above zero. Let’s also remember to use chemical preparations for cleaning ceramic or clinker tiles.
In winter, it is also worth sweeping the surface of the terrace regularly so that particles of sand, mud, and dust do not settle on the surface of the tiles and do not penetrate into the joints.
Terrace stairs laid with clinker are not difficult to care for at any time of the year.
TO SUMMARISE:
- It is worth to prepare the terrace for the winter season, removing any technical defects in time.
- It is a good idea to clean the terrace regularly and thoroughly, using chemicals suitable for ceramic or clinker surfaces.
- The terrace should be regularly cleared of snow.
- For snow removal and mechanical cleaning of the terrace, use delicate tools (e.g. rubber) which will not damage the cladding.
- The surface of the terrace should be subjected to a thorough technical inspection at least twice a year and, if necessary, renovation works should be carried out properly.
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