A rotting deck can be an eyesore as well as a safety hazard. If you notice any signs of rot, it’s important to have a professional Deck Repair Charleston SC to inspect and treat the damage. Repairing structural damage to a deck can be quite expensive. For example, repairing wood rot in weight-bearing posts and beams will cost more than surface rot on a few planks.
Water damage to a deck is one of the most common causes of repair issues. This can occur from flooding or the simple act of rain soaking into the wood and causing it to expand and contract over time. This movement creates a weak spot in the board that can lead to rot. Depending on how extensive the damage is, it may be necessary to replace the entire board. If you are unsure about the extent of the damage, it is best to have it checked by a professional.
Regular inspections can also help to avoid serious problems like sagging or unstable decks. The sagging of a deck can be dangerous for anyone who uses it, and the looseness of railings can pose a risk to children or pets. Loose ledgers can cause the deck to fall to the ground, and deterioration of the material can cause it to collapse altogether.
Another common problem is damage caused by insects, particularly termites. Infestations often result in holes in the boards, and if these aren’t repaired they can eventually lead to structural failure. It is important to have an annual inspection done to check for insect damage. Taking the time to do this will help prevent major repairs and potential injury.
Other signs of insect or termite damage include piles of 1-2-inch termite wings and frass (termite droppings that look like sawdust). In some cases, a deck may be structurally sound but have some areas where the wood has become soft or crumbly. This is usually caused by repeated seasons of moisture that weaken the wood, especially pressure-treated wood.
You can test the softness of a deck board by pressing on it. If it feels spongy or squishy, this is a good sign that it needs to be replaced. If you do need to replace a deck board, make sure you disinfect the area before you start working. This will help to ensure that mold spores don’t linger, which can be a serious health hazard. A tape measure is also a good tool to have on hand, as you will likely need it for measuring replacement planks.
Pest or Termite Damage
Termites are responsible for billions in damage to homes and buildings each year, and they’re a huge threat to wood decks. Their cryptic nature allows them to go undetected for years, leading to serious and costly structural damage. The swarming insects consume wood from the inside out, destroying its structure and integrity over time.
As they feast, they create tunnels through the interior of the wood that can compromise the structure and weaken load-bearing elements. The process can also leave behind a spongy or stringy appearance. Unlike wood rot, termite damage is internal and doesn’t show up on the surface. However, the paint on your home’s trim may blister and bubble as it gets weakened from the tunneling.
Subterranean termites are the most common and most widespread type of termite, causing more than 95% of all termite damage in the United States. These pests can chew through nearly any type of cellulose material, including paper, cotton, and drywall. If they get into your house, they’ll eat away at joists and beams, creating weak spots in the structure that can cause collapse.
Because of their burrowing habits, these termites need moisture in order to survive. Flooding can create an environment that attracts them, especially when the water combines with the moisture-rich wood they need to thrive. The pests can enter your house through openings that combine moisture and timber, such as gaps in walls or the gaps around drainpipes.
Drywood termites are smaller and less common than subterranean species, but they can still do major damage to wood structures. They can attack and eat joists, flooring, decking, and even your roof if they’re not stopped in time. Like subterranean termites, they can eat through virtually any type of wood and can also destroy drywall and particleboard.
Both types of termites can be identified by tapping a piece of infested wood with a hard object. If you hear a hollow or papery sound, the wood’s interior has been consumed by termites. You can also look for mud tubes, which the pests construct to provide moisture and protection as they travel between their colony and their food sources. Finally, you can look for pellet-like droppings known as frass, which the insects leave behind as they work.
Wood Rot
Wood rot is caused by the breakdown of wooden fibers that provide structure and rigidity to the material. Over time, microbes digest the cellulose fibers in the wood, and when this occurs, the wood becomes soft and rotten. Wood rot often combines with pest damage and is a serious problem that should be addressed immediately.
Checking for rot should be part of every homeowner’s routine maintenance tasks, particularly when the weather is turning colder and wet. The most common type of wood rot is wet rot, also known as cellar fungus (Coniophora puteana). Wet rot develops when wood is exposed to moisture for extended periods of time and is at its most dangerous when the temperature is between 4degC and 38degC.
Wet rot can cause structural damage to your deck and can lead to the deterioration of support posts, beams, and floor and ceiling joists. If left unchecked, wet rot can also ruin roof decking and the lumber used to frame your attic.
Detecting wet rot can be more difficult than finding dry rot, but there are some clues to look for. Check the wood for soft or spongy areas that are dark in color. You can also try a simple test by poking an ice pick or long-shaft flat head screwdriver into the wood to see if it is rotten. If the tip of your screwdriver is able to penetrate easily into the wood, it is probably rotting and should be replaced immediately.
The best way to prevent a deck from developing wet rot is to eliminate any moisture leakage issues. This could include a plumbing leak, poor gutter alignment, or sprinkler system problems that allow water to get trapped in the wood. It’s also a good idea to clean the deck regularly and stain it with a waterproof sealer or wood hardener.
Once you have removed and replaced any rotted wood, it’s important to treat the new area with a borate treatment. Products like BoraCare are easily applied to the surface of the wood and migrate deep into the material, making it unappetizing to insects and uninhabitable to fungi. This will help to prevent future recurrences of wood rot and ensure that the new deck is structurally sound and safe for use.
Loose or Damaged Railings
Loose or damaged railings are a serious safety hazard for anyone using your deck. Your railing is supposed to provide stability when you grab onto it, so if it feels loose or wobbly that is a sign that it is time to have a professional take a look and make some repairs.
When a wood deck railing becomes loose it is usually due to a weak connection between the post and the underlying structure. Nails are never a good choice to connect posts and should be replaced with bolts or lag screws. The railing itself should also be secured to the posts with construction glue. This is especially important in areas of the deck that are exposed to the elements like corners and edges.
Metal railings are prone to corrosion, but this is nothing that can’t be fixed with some time and effort. If the bolt holes that hold your railings in place become loose, remove any rust with a wire brush and drill out the old bolt holes until they are wide enough for new bolts. This can be done by hand or with a power drill and metal epoxy.
If the wood that makes up your railing is damaged, it may be time to replace it completely. This is particularly true if any of the spindles that run vertically through your railing are broken or missing. Even a single spindle can cause a fall, so having this damage repaired is definitely something you should prioritize.
While a deck replacement is more expensive than simply repairing the existing railing, it will be much safer for everyone who uses your deck. A professional can help you determine whether your deck is ready for a full replacement or if repairs are a more cost-effective solution.
No matter what kind of railing you have on your deck, it is crucial to keep up with maintenance and inspections. This will help you spot problems before they turn into major issues that could endanger the safety of your family and friends. Be sure to keep up with regular cleaning, too, to prevent dirt and other debris from building up over time and contributing to loose or damaged parts of your railings.