Decks are one of the best parts of any home. As a place to gather with friends and family, gaze out at the night sky or sip some morning coffee while reading the news, decks are a place of peace, gathering, and a way for us to enjoy the great outdoors.
But like with any piece of home equipment, eventually, your deck will need certain repairs to keep it aesthetically pleasing. Not only that, but decks often break down and have structural damage if not correctly taken care of. Many factors contribute to deck wear and tear, from termite damage to wood rot, so you must make routine repairs to ensure that your deck is safe.
If you notice your deck is a little worn for wear, check out these guidelines below to determine the best course of action and how.
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What to Know Before Starting
Before you begin your deck repair journey, it’s imperative that you understand the problem with your deck. Does your deck have structural issues? Have you noticed a bug infestation like termites? Or maybe you just have some wood that needs basic retouching. Once you gain deeper insights into what’s causing the problem, you’ll better understand what it will take to fix it.
Another element to consider is the furniture on your deck. Pieces of furniture like rugs, outdoor planters, and other heavy pieces trap moisture underneath and deteriorate your deck. If you notice your deck beginning to decline, move your furniture to see if extra air can remedy the issue.
Also, before you start, you should be prepared to spend a considerable amount of money on the repairs. If you don’t have carpentry experience, you may have to hire a contractor, which will quickly add costs.
Do You Need to Replace or Repair?
When you’re just starting, it can be challenging to ascertain whether or not you can fix the problems with your deck or if you need to replace the deck entirely.
Luckily, there are signs that indicate whether or not you need to replace or repair. For example, minor stains on the boards from spills suggest that the wood needs touch-ups and can be fixed with simple repairs. On the other hand, if you notice widespread discoloration, this usually indicates larger structural problems.
Similarly, if you notice splinters or cracks here and there, this usually means you don’t need to do a complete deck replacement, and you can probably get away with fixing the individual boards.
However, it is imperative that you repair these issues now while they’re still minor, or else you risk the problem spreading to a bigger problem where you may need more extensive repairs or even replacement.
Repairing Your Deck
From pool deck repair to wood deck repair, fixing a deck can be an overwhelming process. Below are some common types of repairs and solutions that are the most common amongst deck repairs.
Types of Repairs
Discolored Deck
One of the most prevalent types of deck problems, sometimes your deck just needs a touchup to get the wood looking fresh, new, and vibrant again. You can refinish your deck on your own by following these simple steps, or you can call a deck repair professional to help.
Broken Wood or Boards
Over time, moisture, usage, and the elements can make your deck boards weak, and as a result, they crack and break. While getting this deck repair is easy, it’s not something you’ll want to delay repairing. A broken deck board can be dangerous and can expand to a bigger problem if left untreated.
Termite Damage
As wood decks are outside of the home, this leaves them vulnerable to termites and termite damage. You can tell if you have termites because the boards will feel hollow and soft. If you suspect you have termites, you must call a pest company right away as leaving them for too long will weaken the structure of your deck, and the termites can even spread to your home.
Once the termites are gone, you’ll want to fix the damaged areas of the deck by replacing boards and beams.
Slippage
Excess of mold and mildew means it’s time to give the wood a good cleaning. This is easy enough to do on your own as you just need to clean hard enough to remove the mildew from the boards.
Cost of Repairs
It’s no secret that deck repair costs can add up. According to Home Advisor, deck repair costs an average of $1,841, with most homeowners spending between $765 and $2,917.
Of course, the cost depends greatly on the type of material, your location, and the extent of the damage. Even though deck repair costs can add up (not to mention cause quite the headache), repairs still cost much less than a total replacement, which can cost anywhere between $4,000 and $11,000.
Expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $500 for labor, depending on your location and the issue they’re addressing. Sometimes when contractors replace a board, they can run into more problems that will cost more money to fix. Because of this, it’s essential to get several quotes before you begin your project and find the contractor with the most reasonable rate per hour.
DIY or Contractor?
DIY
DIY is an excellent economic reason to do deck repair on your own. Cleaning and surface maintenance are easy to do on your own, but anything that requires carpentry or stability issues should contact a contractor for their deck repair.
You should look into DIY solutions if you’re trying to save money and if the problems are surface-level. If you have little or no carpentry experience, though, you may have to call a contractor if the repairs are too in-depth.
Contractor
Even though they’re more expensive, a contractor will better understand how to repair a deck with your issues. It can be tempting to fix your deck yourself, but if your deck structure has been compromised, if you suspect you have termites, or you have any other significant deck problem, it might be safer (and less expensive in the long run) to start looking for deck repair near me.
Here are some common questions to ask the contractor before you hire them:
- Ask to buy the materials yourself (as this may save your costs in the long run)
- Be sure to get quotes from at least three companies or contractors to ensure a well-informed decision.
- Ask them to itemize their bid.
- Is your bid an estimate or a fixed price.
- What type of insurance do they carry.
It’s essential to have confidence in your contractor before they begin to ensure the deck repair process runs smoothly and without error.
Final Thoughts
Repairing your deck, whether it be your pool deck, your wood deck, or any other type of deck in your home, can be an overwhelming process. The first step is to make sure you fully understand what is wrong and if it is a structural problem.
Always make sure to fix the problem sooner rather than later, and make sure to call an experienced contractor if you feel the project is out of your skillset. At Legacy Roofing and Restoration, we can repair your deck so that you can enjoy it for years to come.
