Wood is one of the most common deck building materials. The variety of woods available are so numerous that there is a look to satisfy nearly everyone. Wood is also strong and lasts longer than many other materials. It is not indestructible, however, and you may find your beautiful wood deck is beginning to succumb to rot. It is time to take care of the problem before you find yourself with a major problem, like a broken leg if your step creates a hole or the entire structure collapsing during a storm.
WHY WOOD DECKS ROT
Even if you take all the proper steps of keeping your deck clean, including cleaning between the boards, you may find yourself facing deterioration. Some types of wood last longer, and pressure-treated wood holds off rot longer, but rot tends to slowly creep up on you. Some of the most common reasons include:
Untreated wood – If you started with untreated wood, it is more susceptible to the ravages of weather. The rains of spring and autumn keep it wet longer than it should be, winter finds snow freezing it and then creating excessive moisture when the snow melts, and the Sun beats down on it all summer long. Slowly, the elements whittle away at the wood.
Debris gathering between boards – Leaves and other debris can become trapped between boards. As this debris rots over time, the fungus and bacteria grow and start to eat away at the wood.
Standing water – If your deck is slightly slanted, water can pool in one spot. The longer the water remains, the higher the chances of rot occurring. The same goes for places where the wood may dip and create a small “crater” to form.
Termites – These are the biggest enemies of wood. While you can treat wood to be resistant to termites, nothing has yet been created that can guarantee complete elimination. All it takes is one fertile pair and you soon have an army of these insects making your deck their buffet.
Weather – Ohio is one of the many places in this country that subjects building material to what is known as the freeze-thaw cycle. Wood expands when it gets cold. When the weather warms up, it goes back to its original size. Over time, this cycle causes cracks in any coatings and weakens the basic structure of the wood. Melted snow enters the cracked coating and when the wood returns to normal size, the moisture becomes trapped and rot begins.
HOW TO REPAIR A ROTTING WOOD DECK
It is much easier to prevent rot than it is to repair the damage once rot has set in. When it is caught early, it may be possible to repair the damage without having to replace your whole deck.
Remove any rotted boards and replace them with new, pressure-treated ones.
Apply a water-resistant coating over the entire deck, including the support pieces.
Even out any spots that create water pooling.
CONTACT APCO FOR WOOD DECK ROT REPAIR
The secret to being able to successfully treat rot damage is catching it early. That is where the biggest problem occurs. By the time you see signs of rot, it has been silently working away at the wood. Professionals like APCO are trained to know the signs of an invisible rot problem. They are also trained to know what works best on the type of wood you have to make it stronger and less resistant to rot.
Give APCO a call today and have one of our professionals come out to perform an inspection of your wood deck. If we find you have an issue, we can repair your deck to prevent further damage. If you have no rot, we can help you put in place measures that will prevent needing rot repair in the near future.
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