What To Consider If Your Wood Deck Needs Repairs
One of the greatest ways to enjoy both your home and the outdoors is by having a deck. But decks are usually large, require structural integrity to be useful, and are made of materials that wear out. How do you know you’ve got a good deck? First, it needs to not have any holes in it. If you’re able to walk on it barefoot and when you put a ball down it doesn’t roll away you’re in great shape.
But a lot of decks are well past this point and need a little work. So, while winter is upon us, this is a great time to get a sense of what it will take to get our decks ready for some summer fun.
First, What Condition is Your Deck In? Key Points to inspect:
Wood rot: Check for soft, spongy wood on posts, joists, and deck boards, indicating rot and potential structural weakness.
Loose fasteners: Examine screws and nails for rust or looseness, which could lead to instability.
Railing condition: Ensure all railings are secure and not wobbly, especially around stairs.
Joist integrity: Inspect the joists underneath the deck for signs of rot or damage.
Sagging or shifting: Look for any areas where the deck is uneven or appears to be sagging.
Ledger board connection: Check if the ledger board attaching the deck to the house is properly fastened and secured.
What Type of Repair Do You Need?
Material replacement:
If replacing wood, choose the appropriate type of treated lumber based on your climate and desired durability. Or maybe you go with another material all together, like composite wood or PVC?
Wondering what kind of decking material works best where you live? Here’s a great guide from Home & Texture.
Cleaning and sealing:
Thoroughly clean the deck before repairs and apply a protective sealant afterwards to prevent future damage. If your deck’s not clean then sealing it will not work very well. It’s a multi-step process that involves lots of water and cleaning solution. Though, if you’re worried about your plants you can make a simple, plant safe deck cleaner yourself.
You can get a step by step guide and that cleaner recipe from this great article by Ready Seal.
What kind of sealer should you use? Of course, this depends on both the climate you live in, what type of wood your deck is made of, and if it’s new wood, old wood, or mixed.
Home depot actually has a very comprehensive guide to picking wood stain.
Safety precautions:
Always use proper safety gear like gloves, goggles, and a stable work platform when repairing a deck.
And of course, if you are in California’s Ventura or Northwest Los Angeles County Edwards Enterprises is here to help you out with deck repairs if you like. Give us a call today.