Why It’s Important to Repair Your Deck
Luckily, there are plenty of simple and affordable DIY solutions for most common deck issues. For more serious issues, you might need to call a professional.
Rotted Posts
Rotted deck posts is a common problem homeowners face when attempting to repair or replace their wooden deck. This problem should not be ignored, regardless of whether it is caused by wood rot or termite infestation.
It`s best to repair a rotten post as soon as possible before it causes any additional issues to your deck. Sometimes, you might be able even to save damaged posts from being replaced.
You can repair a rotten deck post by attaching a new piece of wood to the old one. This process is called lamination, and it can be done with a variety of materials, including wood filler, hardener, and epoxy.
You will usually need to attach the wood piece to the existing wood post using marine epoxy. This epoxy is specifically designed for harsh environments. Then, you`ll have to sand the two pieces together to make them flush with each other.
Loose Boards
The whole structure can shake if a decking board is loose. This is a serious problem that needs to be repaired quickly to prevent structural damage.
Loose boards can also be caused by rot. Dry rot is a fungus that attacks wood that has been exposed to moisture. To test for dry rot, you can poke a screwdriver into the end of the board to see if it sinks easily.
The best way to repair this problem is to screw a piece of timber below the floorboards either side. This will push the nails down and straighten them without causing damage to the wood.
Next, cut a new section of board to replace the damaged area. The new section should be sized to span at least two joist spaces and have end joints that do not align with the joints of adjacent boards on the deck.
Mold or Mildew
Mold and mildew are fungi that are a common cause of discoloration, decay, and structural problems on decks. These fungi can also lead to a variety of health problems, such as allergies, coughing, nasal irritation, itchy throat, and swollen or painful eyes.
A soft-bristled toothbrush and a mildew or mold removal solution are needed for wood decks. A water-based soapy water blend or white vinegar diluted with water will work well to get rid of the problem.
A solution with oxygen bleach is recommended for more severe cases of mildew. This will help to remove any stains and kill any moldspores from your deck. Use the cleaner to clean the area. After that, scrub the deck with a broom and a brush. Rinse with a garden hose after you`re done. You may need to repeat the process a few times. If the problem persists you might need to replace your deck boards.
Scratches
Scratches are a natural part of outdoor decking materials, especially if you entertain outdoors a lot. There are many things that can scratch composite decking, including furniture and shoes.
Repairing scratches on composite decking requires little expertise and is easy to do. However, it`s important to be careful when repairing these blemishes.
You can use a heat gun to hold the heat gun 8-12 inches from the scratch. This will allow you to blend the scratched areas and the non-scratched ones together.
You can also use a wire brush to lightly scrape off scratches from the boards. Make sure you work in the direction of grain. The composite will become lighter but it will return to its original form in 8-10 weeks