A beautiful hardwood deck helps you enjoy outdoor living, mere steps outside your back door. And in the evening, it connects the warm comfort inside your home to the cool serenity of your backyard.
Eventually, deck repair will be required, from cosmetic to structural. Fortunately, most deck problems are not structural because the underlying frame is usually built of pressure treated lumber that has chemicals to help it combat water, weather and even termites.
Some homeowners try to repair their own decks, if they have carpentry experience and the time to do it. If not, you will save time and money by hiring a qualified deck contractor. They will ensure it meets important safety requirements and will last for years to come.
Weather-beaten?
The harsh Canadian climate is very hard on your outdoor deck. Sun, rain, wind, heat, humidity and extreme cold all conspire to shorten the lifespan of your beautiful deck.
Wind and rain beat on the wood and the sun dries it out. This ongoing wet-dry cycle may cause the boards to warp and crack. When wood cracks open, water seeps into the heart of the board, where it does the most damage. When deck railings become weakened or rotten they pose a safety risk as children often climb on them and adults may lean on them. Rotten rails can break without warning, and could cause serious injury.
Repair or Replace?
When your deck starts to show signs of wear, the first question to ask is, “Should I repair or replace it?” First, examine the deck framework that is usually below the surface deck boards, not visible and in contact with the ground. Most often, the framework is built of pressure treated lumber, because it resists rot and damage from termites.
If the deck footings, posts and joists are structurally sound, but the surface boards are cracked, splintered and tired-looking, chances are you can save money by only replacing some or all of the surface deck boards and railings and attaching them to the existing framework.
If you decide to repair …
If the frame is in good shape, then you must decide whether to replace all of the deck boards and railings or just a few of the most worn-out ones. If you combine new and old deck boards it will create a noticeable patchwork effect, but this will be less visible in two or three years as the new wood fades to match the old.
If you decide to rebuild …
If the underlying deck frame has rotted, you should determine the root cause of the problem (which could be drainage, plumbing or even termites) and fix it before rebuilding begins, or your new deck repair will succumb to the same problems.
Source: https://blog.homestars.com/deck-repair-versus-deck-replacement/
