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Mother Nature Hates Your Deck

Mother Nature hates your deck. She punishes it with scorching sun, pouring rain, ice dams, and snow. But don’t take it personally, she’s just doing her job.

The average life expectancy of a wooden deck is between 10 and 15 years.  If you regularly and carefully maintain it, you might get more than that.  If you painted or stained your deck last year, you might need to redo it again sometime this year.

How Do I Know if My Deck Needs Replacement?

If you are wondering if you need to replace your deck (and add some of the bells and whistles you’ve been wishing it had), here are a few things to check out:

• Age: If your deck is toward the end of its 10 – 15 year lifespan, it could be the right time to replace it.
• Condition: Check for signs of deterioration such as rotting, warping, or splintering. If you notice a soft spot on your deck, it’s likely that wood has rotted. Use a screwdriver to poke through soft spots to get an idea of what’s going on. If the damage is localized, you might need to replace a board; if it’s widespread, it’s telling you that it’s probably time for replacement.
• Safety concerns: If the deck is structurally unsound, it may be time to replace it. Look particularly at the railings and stairs to make sure they haven’t rotted or come loose. If you have posts that are damaged, this repair should be made immediately.
• Appearance: If your deck is faded or outdated, if it’s made with lower quality wood, or if you simply want a different look, don’t put it off any longer.
• Insect damage. Insects can cause significant damage to a wooden deck. Termites eat wood and they love outdoor carpets. Carpenter bees drill into wood and carpenter ants destroy wood so they can build nests.
• Maintenance: If you dread having to repair or maintain your deck every year, you might prefer to replace it with low-maintenance composite materials.
• Increased use: Now that we can actually entertain friends again, your deck might get a workout when the weather gets warmer. Will you be having a bunch of teenagers on your deck this year? If you will be using your deck more often or for more demanding activities, it may be time to replace it with a sturdier, more durable deck.

Don’t Be a Statistic

If you still are unsure about whether to replace your deck, it’s best to check with a contractor who can assess the condition of your deck and make recommendations for steps to take.

Yes, we know you expected us to say that.  But an unsound deck, especially one that is pretty far above ground, is a real and present danger.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that in a five-year study, they found that 33,000 persons were injured a result of a structural failure or collapse. The estimate for “serious” injuries — head trauma, concussion, major fractures, such as those associated with the back, and paralysis — exceeded 18,000.

Now is the time to begin to plan. Let’s talk about what you want and get you on the schedule now. Then, when Mother Nature decides to be pleasant for awhile this spring, you’ll have a fresh, new lovely deck to enjoy. Call us and let us take a look at yours.