Check Your Deck for These 7 Repair Issues
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Welcome! We Show You a Handy Checklist for Annual Deck Inspection
Regular inspection, maintenance, and repair of a wooden deck are necessary to keep it safe, functional, and looking good. If you are lucky enough to own one, a deck should be a source of pride and pleasure. Make it an annual event, in spring or fall, to check for wood damage, rot, loose nails, and other types of deck wear. Address problems before they become bigger problems. Small repairs can save time and money before they become large rebuilding projects.
Inspect Wood
Wood needs frequent maintenance, including cleaning, sanding, polishing, or painting. Here's how to inspect:
Make Home Repairs a Breeze with These Reliable Tools!
- Look for evidence of rot. With a knife or other sharp object, lightly poke or dig in areas that appear soft and fluffy; repair or replace wood as soon as possible.
- Check the wood for chips or suction cups.
- Look at the ends of the wooden boards. Did they start to bend?
- Check several different sections of the deck to make sure the wood is still firm and solid. This includes ledger boards, support posts, under-deck beams, deck boards, handrails, and ladders. These areas will be covered in more detail later.
- Look for small holes in the wood, which can indicate damage from insects, especially termites.
Look for Nail Pop
One of the most common problems with aged decking is something called a "snapping" of a nail. Wood planks or older deck planks are often attached with nails, which tend to show up year-round. This is caused by the expansion and contraction of the wood during temperature changes. Contraction and expansion force the nail to squeeze or push itself up and out of the wood. Of course, you have to nail them or, better yet, replace them with screws, which will make things more stable.
Check Stairs and Steps
Before inspecting stairs or steps, contact your city or county website for information on current residential building codes. The big question: do your stairs or steps meet? If not, what are you going to do about it?
Mold and mildew are more likely to form during the cooler months. Are the stair treads slippery and potentially dangerous?
Is the wood on the steps rotten or cracked? Look carefully at the stringers, steps, and rungs of the stairs.
Inspect Posts
The deck posts are the "members" of the vertical structure that support the rafters. Like other parts of the deck, the posts should be checked for rot and cracks. Pay particular attention to the tips of the posts, where rot and cracks are most likely to develop.
Time to tighten fasteners like nuts, bolts, screws, and nails? If the fastener appears to be loose after trying to tighten it, check that the wood is not rotten. Moisture in the environment is the main cause of dry or wet rot. If it's black and fluffy or has dark brown strands, it's likely wet rot. Dry rot is lighter in color, but it is also soft. Don't be fooled by the name - dry rot thrives in wet conditions.
After the rot issues are resolved, take a step back and peruse the posts. Are they level or perfectly vertical?
Inspect the Railings
Like stairs, you may want to check your city or community website for information on current residential building codes to see if railings are compatible. Unlike horizontal decking, the surface that you walk on and the furniture sits on, vertical railings are not as "rough." However, they can warp, twist, or break.
Here's how to check the grids:
- If it's made of wood, look for signs of rot or cracks.
- Are the railing posts securely attached to the platform?
- Lean on the handrail or grab it and try to shake it. Does it shake easily or does it seem shaky or unstable?
- Inspect other handrail connections and fasteners, such as balusters or handrails. Attach and tighten or loosen unstable rails.
Look for Weathered or Discolored Boards
If your wooden deck planks are discolored, usually gray, it's probably time to do a good cleaning. Experts recommend washing a wooden deck at least twice a year, preferably in spring and fall. If it is more worn, the plates may need to be replaced.
Reseal or Paint
In addition to cleaning the deck thoroughly, it may be time to paint or seal it again. This will keep you looking good for the near future!
We hope you enjoy watching this video about to maintain it properly your deck wood
Source: Luke Youtuber
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Last update on 2025-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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