Should You Repair or Replace Your Deck?

Have you noticed that your deck is looking worn, shabby or altogether delapitatied? If this is the case, it may be time to repair or replace the deck entirely. A good way to determine what the best option might be for you (repair or replace), is to determine how significant the damage is to the deck. A good rule of thumb is that if the cost to repair your deck is going to be more than half the cost to replace your deck then replacement might be the best option.

Below I have listed several signs that your deck may need to be repaired or replaced:

Ledger Board

The ledger board is the long beam of wood that connects the deck to your house and holds the deck in place. If this board is rotting, has loose fitting, deteriorating or has become compromised in any way, then your deck may be at risk. Ledger boards can be repaired. However, if the ledger board has rotted significantly and is compromising the deck stability, then it might be time to replace the deck entirely.

Flashing

You should also check out the flashing - corrosion-resistant material that is used to create a barrier that prevents moisture from entering into your home in the openings created when attaching the ledger board. Make sure the flashing is securely in place and that it is doing its job, which is preventing rot and water damage from ruining the ledger board. If the flashing is not doing its job then it should be replaced right away.

Posts

The posts are important to the composition and stability of the deck as they are what holds up your deck. As they carry a lot of weight supporting the deck, it is imperative that their integrity is not compromised. Rot damage and large cracks in the posts can be a very serious problem to the integrity of your deck - if you see any corrosion to the posts, it may be time to repair the posts or the entire deck, depending on the damage to the rest of the deck.

Fittings and Hardware

The fittings and hardware, which you will find mostly on the underside of the deck should not be loose, covered in rust, deteriorating or completely missing altogether. If you notice hardware and fittings that are showing signs of ageing, it may be time to change and update them.

Railings

If your railing is loose, you may not need to replace your entire deck, however, you should get the railing fixed and secured or a new one put on your deck right away.

Rotting Wood

If you notice that the wood on your deck is rotting - damp, discolored or soft to the touch - then it may be time to replace your deck. Rotting wood is a serious issue and can cause your deck’s integrity to be severely compromised. Rotting wood can spread from one area to another and weakens the structure. If the rotting wood is localised and has not spread immensely, you may be able to just remove the rotting pieces and replace with new ones. If you are able to replace part of the deck with new wood, after you install the new wood you will need to do a thorough clean of the deck and seal the deck with a high-quality wood deck sealer.

Bowing Boards and Joists

If boards have become unsecured, wobbly, or have lifted, it may be time to replace those boards or the deck entirely, depending on how many boards are compromised. If joists are detached from the ledger board or unsecured then it may be time to replace them.

Mold

Some mold on your deck can be cleaned away. However, if your deck is covered in mold, it might be time to replace the deck entirely. Mold can lead to wood rot and it can also eat away at the deck stain that is used to protect the deck surface, which may lead to structural damage.

Termites

Depending on how widespread the termite damage is, a deck may need to be repaired. If termites are caught early, you may be able to isolate the damaged area and repair that area. If termite damage is widespread, this may mean that you need to replace your deck entirely.

Age

How old is the deck? Decks are not built to last forever and depending on the type of deck you have (wood, composite decking etc.) and the age of the deck it might be time to replace it. Composite decks tend to last 20 to 30 years, whereas wood decks last approximately 10 to 15 years. If your deck is nearing the end of its lifespan, it might be better to rebuild the deck entirely than just repairing it.

Whatever you decide, Bear Carpentry Ltd. can help you with your deck woes. If you are interested in repairing or replacing your deck, contact us for a free estimate.