It can be after any season, renewal, wear and tear when you should think about replacing or repairing your deck. But when it comes to maintenance of the appearance of your deck, decorating essentials always comes first in mind. Patios which look beautiful are a must go, but they may hide some disturbing facts that affect safety. This is why it’s so important to inspect your deck regularly. So, here are we with some common deck repairs which include from replacing loose rails or broken floorboards, removing rusted nails, and to retightening screws.
What are the Signals of Deteriorating Decks
Rotting of Wood Support Post & Beams
Wood rot is never a good sign, no matter what part of the house it affects. Rot can cause enough damage to impact the structural integrity of your home if left unchecked.
As per the building code regulations it is must that contractors should build decks on concrete footings. However, if your deck is older, its support posts may rest directly on the ground. Soil is rarely completely dry, and raw wood—including some pressure-treated varieties—will absorb any moisture in the ground. Which leads to rotting over time, so take a close look at your deck’s posts every once in while.
Dropping of Footings
Concrete footings are recommended for long term integrity while building your deck, but under certain circumstances, even they are not perfect. There are chance of concrete crack or drop If the original deck footings were poured on soil that has either shifted significantly over time or that was unstable to begin with.
Many cold weather and freeze/thaw cycles can also take their toll on concrete deck footings. Especially in case of colder climates, where the freezing and thawing can cause the concrete to heave and drop if the footings weren’t poured deep enough.
Erosion Around Posts
It is know that both wooden and concrete deck footings are prone to erosion. When rainwater and snowmelt wash away the soil supporting the deck posts and footings results in soil erosion, and when the lower level of the post becomes exposed it destabilized the deck.
Drainage issues around your property always seemingly out of nowhere. But the reality is that the slope of your yard will change naturally over the years, and small landscaping changes, such as addition or removal of planting beds, can hasten those changes.
If water pooling in your yard or a small river running underneath your deck after a storm is noticed, you should call a drainage system specialist and a deck contractor to help repair any damage.
Deck Boards Splinters and Cracks
A cracked or splintered deck board here and there usually isn’t an immediate cause for concern—a deck repair contractor can replace a board or two without much trouble. But if every board is showing signs of significant deterioration, it’s probably time for a brand-new deck.
Wood doesn’t last forever. Regular staining, painting, and sealing go a long way toward extending the lifespan of a wood deck, but the elements eventually take their toll.
Some other factors are loosening and deteriorating of rails or simply ill maintenance of the decks. This things if left unchecked might cause problems sooner or later. Home maintenance never ends, and it doesn’t take long for the list of tasks to multiply and get out of hand. Decks that aren’t maintained consistently won’t last long.
