It’s officially hot outside which only means one thing: You’ll make use of your deck and spend the chilly and breezy evenings outdoors. But what if your deck looks a little worse for wear? Does it need a bit of sprucing up or is it a lost cause and you should replace it with the help of a deck builder? Here is everything you need to know about it.
Should I Repair or Replace My Deck?
Is There Rot On The Deck?
Is that something black? Or is it something green? Well, besides the color you need to figure out how long it has been there and how are you looking at it just now. Rot on the deck is a major alarming sign and it will lead to a lot of problems if you leave it be.
This is why it’s so important to maintain your deck regularly which includes cleaning, staining, and sealing. This keeps the deck in check and you can easily determine if the wood is rotting away or is it just a bad faded spot on the deck.
Rot and fungus are common in wood decks so, you need to inspect it for that and if the rot has reached all the way into the foundation of the deck, then it’s time to replace the deck.
Is It Badly Damaged?
Have you gotten a really bad rainstorm or even a thunderstorm recently? Has it damaged the deck? How bad is the damage? Well, the only way to assess the damage is by looking at it and examining the deck.
If the wood has gaping holes in the foundation and the deck is no longer safe, then it is better to replace it. If the deck is just faded a bit and there is no considerable damage to the material or the foundation, then a bit of repair will lead it to look brand new again.
Does It Just Look Bad?
Sometimes, you can look at the deck and determine whether it needs replacement or just a lick of polish and varnish. This is common with wooden decks and even other materials, but if you see that the deck just looks faded and the rest of the material and integrity is golden, then you don’t need to replace the entire deck.
You can just get away with a new coat of paint, stain, or seal and you’ll be good to go. For wooden decks, a coat of stain will do wonders and you will turn your deck from faded to fabulous in minutes.
Are There Loose Screws?
Sometimes, weather or just regular use of the deck can make the screws loose. In some cases, it can also be the hardware, and the rust on the hardware can cause the screws to break or get loose. Well, you want to see what the case is with your deck.
If the screws are loose, then all you need is a screwdriver and 5 minutes to put everything back into place and your deck will be good as new. However, sometimes, the material can deteriorate and it can no longer hold the screws in place. That is a different scenario in itself and you need to inspect the deck more to figure out what’s wrong with it.
Is The Wood Peeling?
This is for people who have wooden decks. Wood is an amazing and durable material, but it’s not the best when it comes to withstanding outdoor elements, especially if it’s not treated. So, you want to see the peeling of the wood on the deck.
It can be on the sides of the deck or it can also be on random parts of the deck. If your wooden deck is peeling, you should evaluate whether this is just because of lack of maintenance or is there something wrong with the material itself and it needs to be replaced.
Is The Deck Giving Away?
When you step on your deck, you shouldn’t hear any weird squeaky noises, besides the obvious ones when you move too much. If the deck moves and make unusual noises, that is when things can get alarming.
You don’t want to keep the deck standing like this for any longer because it can break anytime. So, the best thing to do in this case is to get a deck building expert in right away and they will see why the deck is loose and making so much noise. They will suggest if you should repair or replace the deck.
Is The Foundation Wobbly?
Well, there’s your answer to the previous question. Sometimes, when a deck is making too much noise and it is also wobbling, then it means that the foundation of the deck is wobbly and it can’t support itself or anything on top of it anymore.
This is dangerous because it’s only a matter of time before the deck collapses and you don’t want to be on the receiving end of any damage. So, it’s always better to have your deck checked and if it’s time to replace it, then you should bite the bullet and replace it.
Check The Ledger Board
The ledger board is basically the part where the deck meets your house. It is the single, strongest part of the deck and if something happens to this board, then you better believe that there’s nothing you can do besides replacing the deck entirely.
The ledger board usually lasts for a long time, but there can be some things that can loosen the ledger board or even damage it. Mold, water, weight, and just no regular maintenance are some of the reasons why a ledger board can get wobbly and this is the time when replacement becomes necessary.
Check The Hardware
The deck is installed using a ton of hardware. There are fasteners, screws, and nails that secure the planks together and make the deck come together. Well, the hardware can also get rusty over time and this can be dangerous if you don’t do something about it.
It doesn’t mean that you need to change the deck, but you have to change the fasteners and hardware if you don’t want the rust to ruin the material either. So, always keep an eye out for rusty hardware or even fasteners that are on the verge of breaking. Replace them ASAP and you won’t have to replace your deck, which is a huge expense.
The Overall Age Of The Deck
If your deck is really old, like 15 to 20 years old, then it will show you signs that you need to ultimately replace it. So, now you know that a deck will not last forever. This is why you want to replace your deck when the time is up.
Usually, after a decade and a half, you should replace your deck and give your outdoor area a refresh. It will look amazing and it will be safe too.
Conclusion
Decks are amazing for the summertime or even as additional space to host backyard parties, so you want to know when it is time to repair or replace the deck. Whether you can’t decide and want an expert to inspect the deck or you’re sure you want a new deck, get in touch with deck contractors Port Jefferson for help.
