5 Signs That a Backyard Deck Needs to Be Replaced

Replacing a deck is no easy task. But what is easy is spotting issues that ultimately impact the quality of your backyard deck.

Many households consider the deck to be the main social place. It is the place where all the entertainment happens, where all the barbecues are done, and the place to get rest and relaxation whilst enjoying the sound of nature.

But decks aren’t everlasting. Quite the opposite, the type of material used determines how often it needs to be replaced.

Considering that every material is different, we will talk about the 5 signs that point that your deck needs replacing. With all that said, let’s start.

1.  Look Around the Posts

The posts are what every deck is based on. They go deep in the ground or get placed into concrete to hold the thing in one piece. Naturally, this is the first place you should check upon from time to time, as any signs of damage or erosion can quickly make things uncomfortable.

The posts are very much prone to movement from incoming water. This is especially the case if the posts are buried deep in the ground. The main culprit for this is erosion, and erosion can destabilize the whole thing.

The last thing you want is for the whole dick to wobble or a post to snap. Any one of these can make it tumble or completely fall apart.

That’s why looking around the posts for erosion from time to time is a great way to prevent this from happening.

2.  Surface Damage

Probably the most common sign out there, surface damage can happen to any decking material. The thing to note with this one is that some decks experience surface damage to a few boards, while others can affect the whole thing.

If the damage is localized, then all you need to do is replace a few boards. But if the damage is spread out throughout the deck, then sadly you will need to replace the whole deck.

There are a fair few reasons why this happens. Contrary to what you might hear, surface damage is very common and can happen at any time. The main culprits for surface damage include rot, mold, from water, etc.

Spotting surface damage is very easy as the boards will most likely be of a different color compared to the rest of the boards. You will also notice creeks and cracks as you walk through the deck, and notice visible splinters.

3.  Gap Between the Deck and House

This one is a real doozy, albeit not in a good way. When it comes to maintaining a deck, there are so many things that need looking after. The ledgers that hold the deck attached to the house are one of these things and do know that they are very much susceptible to damage.

But this issue can be rather complicated to take care of. Damaged ledgers can risk crumbling down the entire structure, so you will need to act fast. Unfortunately, this issue requires a professional to come in and make the necessary repairs. In some cases, you will need to completely replace the ledgers.

If you don’t solve this issue, you not only risk the whole thing crumbling down, but you can also cause damage to your house due to the weight of the structure pulling away from it. The created gap between the house and deck is also susceptible to water damage. The boards can get soaked into water and the whole framework would end up needing repairs.

So don’t risk it with this one and call in a professional, such as deckbuildersanjose.com, that will come in and make the necessary repairs.

4. Loose Railings

This is probably the easiest damage to replace as the railings are easily attached and detached from the structure.

Thus, loose railings are easily replaced by unscrewing a couple of screws. However, don’t let it fool you from the fact that loose railings can be a major safety hazard.

You can imagine how dangerous it can be to fall off a deck due to the railings giving up whilst leaning on them. When it comes to spotting this issue, simply inspect the railings as you go along the stairs. If any seem to be quite loose, then you can either make the necessary repairs or do a complete replacement.

5. Mold

We did talk about mold in a previous section, but we have to do it again as it can cause serious damage on its own. Apart from causing surface damage, mold can be a major health hazard for you and your family.

Luckily, spotting mold is very easy as it gives out a darkish and greenish color. The amount of mold damage depends on the quality of the material and the amount of water exposure.

Apart from being disgusting to look at, it can cause major stains that would be difficult to remove.

Tips For Deck Maintenance

Now we’ll give you a few tips that will help you prevent these issues from ever becoming a problem.

· Remove Debris

You might not believe it but debris between the boards can cause serious damage. Any sort of thing that gets in between the boards can create space on its own through time. To prevent this problem, simply use a putty knife and get in between the boards to remove the debris.

· Clean the Deck

Frequent cleaning is the best thing to do to prevent any unwanted damages to your deck. And there are a few ways to do it. You can use a paint roller and a garden spray when dealing with a wooden deck. For composite decking simply use a soft toothbrush or any other kind of brush to really get the stain out.

· Do Regular Inspections

And lastly, and quite possibly the best way to prevent any unwanted damages is to simply do regular inspections. It’s better to uncover the problem and deal with it early on than to replace parts of the deck because you’ve left it far too late.