Mar 14, 2023
Why it’s important to repair your deck
It`s essential to repair any minor damage to your deck to ensure it looks beautiful and functions well. Otherwise, it can rot or attract wood-loving insects.
Luckily, there are plenty of simple and affordable DIY solutions for most common deck issues. But for more serious problems, you may need to hire a professional.
Rotted Posts
Rotted deck posts is a common problem homeowners face when attempting to repair or replace their wooden deck. Whether it`s because of wood rot or termite damage, this problem is not something you want to ignore.
It`s best to repair a rotten post as soon as possible before it causes any additional issues to your deck. Sometimes, you might be able even to save damaged posts from being replaced.
You can repair a rotten deck post by attaching a new piece of wood to the old one. This is known as lamination and can be done using a variety materials such as wood filler, hardener and epoxy.
Usually, you`ll need to attach the new wood piece to the old wood post with marine epoxy, which is designed for extreme aquatic environments. Then, you`ll have to sand the two pieces together to make them flush with each other.
Loose Boards
When a decking board becomes loose, it can cause the whole structure to shake. This is a serious problem that needs to be repaired quickly to prevent structural damage.
Rot can also cause loose boards. Dry rot is a fungus which attacks wood that has been subjected to moisture. You can test for rot by poking a screwdriver in the end of the board and see if it sinks in easily.
The best way to repair this problem is to screw a piece of timber below the floorboards either side. This will push the nails down and straighten them without causing damage to the wood.
The next step is to cut a replacement section of board that spans the damaged area. The new section should span at least 2 joist spaces. It should also have no end joints that align with adjacent boards.
Mold or Mildew
Mold and mildew can cause discoloration, decay, or structural problems on decks. These fungi can also lead to a variety of health problems, such as allergies, coughing, nasal irritation, itchy throat, and swollen or painful eyes.
To remove mold or mildew from a wood deck, you`ll need a soft-bristled brush and cleaning solution. A water-based soapy water blend or white vinegar diluted with water will work well to get rid of the problem.
A solution with oxygen bleach is recommended for more severe cases of mildew. This will help to remove any stains and kill any moldspores from your deck. Apply the cleaner to the affected area, and then scrub with a broom or a brush. Rinse with a garden hose after you`re done. This process may need to be repeated several times. If the problem persists, you may need to replace some of your deck boards.
Scratches
Scratches are an inevitable part of any outdoor decking material, especially if you spend a lot of time entertaining outdoors. From shoe scuffs to furniture dragging across the surface, there are a number of things that can cause scratches on composite decking.
Repairing scratches on composite decking requires little expertise and is easy to do. These blemishes can be repaired, but it is important to be cautious.
You can use a heat gun to hold the heat gun 8-12 inches from the scratch. This will allow you to blend the scratched areas and the non-scratched ones together.
Alternatively, you can use a wire brush to gently scrape the scratches off of the boards, working in the direction of the grain. The composite will become lighter but it will return to its original form in 8-10 weeks.