By If you want your deck repair to keep looking its best and stay safe for use, it needs a proper maintenance routine to be followed. This includes periodic inspections and repair of any damaged boards, railings, or joists that aren’t strong. Rot, cracks, rust, and water damage are very often the culprits of disrepair. Sometimes, your deck repair might need to be replaced entirely.
Inspect the Deck
Decks are a beautiful addition to your home, and they help you to enjoy outdoor living in the winter and summer. However, due to a lack of maintenance, they can become dangerous and even collapse. This can be avoided by inspecting your deck every year for problems that could lead to failure. These problems are cracks in the wood, warping, and rot.
Start by checking the ledger board that holds the deck against the house and attaches it to the footings. Ensure that it is securely fastened with lag screws or bolts, that’re hard-wearing and structurally sturdy.
In addition, if the stair treads are worn or squeaking, it indicates that they need to be replaced. Over time, the wedges that hold the treads in place start to get loose resulting in the stairs starting to slide down.
Inspect the Railings or Stairs
Inspecting the railings or stairs is a necessary part of a deck repair. They are usually the main source of injury and deck collapses. Hence, be sure to check them for anything that is loose or broken.
Whether you are a homeowner or a professional inspector, always follow all building codes when checking your stairs and railings. If your stairs or railings are not complying with the code, you could be putting yourself and your family in danger. The stairs should be at least 36′′ wide and the riser height, which is the distance from one step to the next, should not deviate beyond 3/8′′.
Handrails need to be continuous across the full length of a stair run, as should the guardrail at each landing or turn. When there’s a break in continuity the stairway will fail the inspection.
Make the Repairs
If you’re sure about your DIY skills and have the necessary tools on hand, you can do most of the repairs needed to fix a damaged deck yourself. But if you start noticing some structural issues, for example, extreme rot or termite damage, it’s time to call in the deck repair professionals.
Wood cracks and splits are the standard issues seen in older decks. They can be a result of continuous exposure to the elements, insect, or termite damage, including consistent pressure. Replacing defective boards is often a quick and cost-effective repair. However, if the cracked and split boards are all over your deck, it may be time to consider replacing the entire structure.
The Sum Up
Now you may be quite clear about the necessity of repairing and maintaining your deck. Plus, the different inspections that should be performed regularly on the most important part of your home.
