We don’t pay too much attention to some things regarding our homes, renovations, and maintenance. People often focus on the interior of their homes and completely forget about the outside. When it comes to the exterior, the center of attention for many is the front yard, the back yard, and the greenery.
But what about your deck? It’s an essential part of your house, and it represents the transition between the outside and the inside. And what most people do about it? Nothing, they leave it until it falls apart. And when it does fall apart, most people can’t believe that it happened because they’ve thought that wood decks are somehow indestructible.
You are lucky if your wood deck is done correctly, built durably, and waterproofed. But even with all of that, there will a time when you will need to replace it. The wood decks suffer from a lot of abuse daily, both from weather conditions and human influence. The good thing is that it can pass almost a decade until you need to renovate it or replace it. But you need to know when is the right time to do it. If you are observing, you will notice when it’s about to do a couple of minor fixes and notice when it’s the due time. Do you want to learn how to spot the right signals your wood deck is showing you? We are here to make situations more peaceful for you and show you the key bits to pay attention to so that you have a nice wood deck. If you follow our instructions, you will know when it is safe to prolong the renovation and entirely out of the question.
Source: proremodeler.com
When it comes to fixing your wood deck, it can be easy or reasonably tricky. If you don’t have experience with fixing things, or even if you have, but you don’t know how to fix a sure thing, you can find the help you need here deckbuildersandysprings.com.
We will share with you how to know if you need to fix a few minor details and know that it is time to replace it entirely.
Once you learn these easy ways to notice critical parts of your wood deck, you will have the knowledge you will share with others. So, let’s launch into this educational journey.
First, here are some elements that you can spot easily:
- Evident damage to the wood of your deck
- Loose railings
- Mold and mildew
The first thing you can notice is damage to the wood of your deck. It can be from age or even from some mechanical accident. Other potential causes are, of course, the weather, but also animals and insects. If your wood deck has cracks in it, if the boards are broken, you should replace it as soon as possible. In some cases, if you notice the damage soon enough, it is possible only to replace the following damaged boards. In other cases, if you are particularly unlucky, you can have a problem with termites. If that’s what happened, it could be that you will need to replace your whole deck. Every good wood deck is sturdy, and it doesn’t wobble. If it does, and it feels weak when you walk on it, it’s ready to be replaced.
Source: woodproducts.fi
The second thing you can notice quickly is the loose railings, and the good thing about them is that you can quickly fix them. But if you don’t do it, they can represent a huge safety issue, and someone could get harmed. As soon as you notice a loose railing, you need to call someone to fix it. The most dangerous part of the deck, where you don’t want to have loose railings, is next to the entrance.
And finally, mold and mildew. It’s normal for your wood deck to have both because, after all, it is placed outside. Depending on where you live, your wood deck can often be exposed to rain or snow, if not daily. If you spot something that looks a little bit green, everything is still okay, and you don’t have to do anything. But the moment you start noticing black mold, or if you see mushrooms growing, there is a possibility for you to have a severe problem.
In most cases, the good part of it is you don’t have to replace your deck. You just need to clean it thoroughly and stain it. The vital part of the whole process is to use a fungicide to stop any future issues.
Source: nqsurvey.com.au
Next, we will talk about some things that are not that easily noticed:
- Rotten wood
- Rusted fittings and fixtures
Sometimes rotten wood is easy to see, and if you notice it, you need to scrutinize the whole wood deck. Only after you are sure where are the issues, and fixing them can you continue using your deck. And why is that? It’s because rotten wood can be a significant safety issue, and you or someone else can easily harm themselves. And even if you think that it’s not that serious and that it can last for a long time, it can fool you. Something rotten can collapse quickly. But it’s always important to check those other places where you can’t notice it because sometimes rotten wood is not right in front of your nose. And the fixing portions of it can be accessible if you do it on time. You need to replace the wood that is rotten with a new and healthy one, and always use a wood sealant that is good quality. That way, you will prevent similar issues and extend the life of your wood.
When it comes to rust, you can’t notice it just by using your wood deck. You need to check underneath your deck and inspect all of the fixtures and fittings. If you have an old deck, it could be best to replace the fixtures and fittings because they will undoubtedly be rusted. And the reason why you need to do it is that you want a solid and safe deck.
