Winter Moving Things Indoors? How To Protect Your Wrought Iron From Cold Weather Damage
Now that summer is officially over and the cold weather is settling in, you'll be using your patio less often. If you have ornamental wrought iron railing around your yard, you'll want to make sure that it's ready for winter. While wrought iron is more durable than wood or vinyl railing, it can still suffer damage during exposure to winter weather. To make sure your wrought iron railing survives the winter, here are some simple care instructions you'll need to follow.
Clean Off the Summer Debris
Now that winter is approaching, it's time to clean away the summer debris that might be covering your wrought iron railing. Not only is your railing covered in dust and debris, it could also be covered with body oil and food particles from the hands that touched it all summer long. A thorough cleaning will remove the grease, grime, dirt and debris that can ruin your wrought iron during the winter.
Get Rid of the Rust
If your wrought iron railing has rust, you'll need to get rid of it before winter arrives. Many people believe that a few patches of rust won't hurt their wrought iron. Unfortunately, that's not correct. Even a small spot of rust can wreak havoc on your wrought iron. To remove the rust, and prevent additional damage, use a fine sand paper to remove the rust and then wash the area. Once the area dries, cover it with a rust-resistant primer.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
If it's been a few years since you applied a fresh coat of paint to your wrought iron railing, now's a good time to take care of that maintenance. Fresh paint makes it easier for your railing to withstand the cold weather. Not only that, but it will ensure that your railing is ready for spring. If your railing was recently painted, you can simply apply a fresh coat to the areas that you removed rust from. It's important to note that if you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures, it's a good idea to apply a fresh coat of paint every year.
Remove Winter Mud Quickly
If you live in an area that experiences heavy rains each winter, you'll need to clean your railing once a month. That's because mud and dirt can accumulate along the lower edges of your railing. If too much mud accumulates, you'll have a difficult time getting your railing clean once spring arrives.
Contact a company, like MISSCO, for more help.
