Deck Repair: Why Deck Repair is Important

Your deck is the most prominent part of your home. It should look great and function properly.

It can, however, be damaged or deteriorated just like any other structure in your home. It doesn`t matter if it is a one-time problem or the effects that age and sun exposure have on your deck, it`s crucial to have it inspected and repaired promptly.

Decking that is damaged

Although the decking under your home serves as a support for the roof, it is susceptible to water damage. If left untreated, rotted wood can cause serious structural problems.

It is better to replace decking that has been damaged than to attempt to repair it. This is because repairing pieces one at a time can cause the weakened wood to bend, twist or warp.

Make sure that any decking is properly fastened before moving it. Also, ensure there are no broken or rotting joists underneath it. If you`re unsure, have a professional take a look at it.

You will need to first remove any decking that is damaged and then measure the replacement boards. Make cuts to size, then screw the new ones into place with galvanized nails or stainless steel screws. You`ll need a cordless drill for this purpose as well as a sander for smoothing down the new boards.

Loose Stairs

A loose joint is likely to cause a squeak when you use stairs. Over time, wooden stair parts will tend to become less tight than they used to be, and this can result in squeaks as the joints rub against each other and the nails and screws that hold them together.

The easiest solution to this problem is to refasten the treads and risers back to their stringers, where they are attached at the point of the squeak. You can do this by driving nails into the squeaking tread at 45 degrees (one at each tread end) and then into a stringer.

To provide stability and to suppress squeaks, triangular glue blocks may be used at the junction of the tread & riser. These blocks are made of two-inch cubes that are cut across the diagonal and then pressed into the right angle at both ends of the tread.

Rotted Spots

Rotted spots might seem like a minor problem but they can spread to the entire deck and require extensive deck repair. It is important to inspect the entire area and evaluate if insect damage is also causing the rot, so it can be treated appropriately.

Dry rot is caused by fungus which eats the wood`s cellulose, weakening it and making it more susceptible to moisture and insects. It can cause a deck to discolor, become spongy, and flake apart when wet.

When checking a deck for rot, try looking for long sheets of grayish mold or darker wood that appear on the surface or around posts. These areas will be softer than the rest if you push them with a screwdriver.

If rot has affected the surface of your deck boards, you can use a wood filler to fix the damage. If the boards are also rotting around their frames, it is time to replace them.

Damaged Substructure

When a deck`s substructure is damaged, it needs to be repaired. It is easy and inexpensive to repair the deck`s substructure by simply removing it and replacing it with new wood.

The substructure is made up of posts, beams, and joists. The posts are vertical pieces that support the decking boards and rest on the footer. Beams are large framing members that run perpendicular to the posts and support the joists.

They are usually 3“ wide and 8“ or 10“ deep, sitting on top of the posts. The joists, which are smaller, run between the beams.

These parts don`t receive a lot of UV light, but they do collect moisture. This can cause the base of the post where it rests on the footer to rot, as well as the area where the beams attach to the posts. Keeping an eye on these areas can help you avoid costly repairs and ensure that your deck remains in good condition for years to come.