The deck is a beautiful part of your outdoor space that elevates your overall space and provides you additional space in the house to enjoy the weather, host events, and spend time with family. It can add value and charm to your house if maintained properly. Harsh weather conditions can wear off the decking and make it look less appealing, so you might need to replace it. So, let’s see when a good time is to replace your decking.
As the spring is near, it is time to inspect your decking, if it’s in its best shape. The Deck, which elevates your space and provides you with a beautiful space to spend time with your loved ones, requires maintenance and repair to keep that beauty intact. You can keep the look of your deck alive by staining and painting it as required. But if not properly maintained or if there have been decades to your deck and the staining and painting are no longer giving you the look you want, it’s time to replace your deck. Here are some signs that may help you decide when is a good time to replace your decking.
Signs to replace your decking
- Excessive wear and tear: Like other things in the house, the deck also goes through gradual wear and tear, which may lead to excessive damage. The wear and tear may result in cracks or loose screws, which can be repaired. But in case of excessive wear and tear, such as rotting, splintering, or cupping, you may need to replace the decking.
- Loose railings: Do you lean on railings and find them unsteady? Then it’s time to fix your railings immediately as it becomes a serious safety concern and may cause any accident. If the railings cannot be fixed and other issues make your deck feel unstable and loose, then it is better to replace the deck, instead of just fixing the railings.
- Wood rot: Wood rot is another major concern and sign that also needs immediate action as it quickly spreads and deteriorates the whole deck. If you see a wet spot on the wooden board, then it is potentially a sign of rotting. If the rotting is localized and has affected the small area of the deck, then that area can be removed and replaced. But if it has spread and a large percentage of the deck is affected, it’s time to replace the whole deck.
- Rusting: The fittings or hardware beneath the deck also should be checked to ensure the deck is in the right condition. The hardware beneath the deck may rust with time and eventually weaken, causing instability in the deck. So, in case of safety concerns and to avoid any accidents, it is better to replace the deck with proper hardware and fittings.
- Moisture damage: As much as wood must be prevented from moisture, wooden decks are exposed to moisture such as rain, snow, or humidity, which results in moisture damage. The deck gets prone to rot, mildew, or mold. The mold can grow and cause excessive damage to the wood decking, which would then require replacement of the deck.
- Insect damage: The wooden deck can be the favorite place for the insects to live and feed. If left undetected, insects can cause massive damage to the deck. One of the common problems that we usually see with wooden furniture is the presence of termites that eat wood and compromise its integrity. If they cause damage to one part of the deck, which gets detected, it can be repaired. But if it remains undetected, it can affect the whole deck, which must be replaced.
- Loose floorboards: If the boards of your decking have loosened or become wobbly when you move around, then that is concerning. The unsecured or loose boards may become a safety concern and should be replaced immediately. The boards may become bowed or unstable due to the rot or decay of the joists, which are responsible for holding up the deck. The joists can be replaced, but if the damage has extended, it is better to invest in a new decking.
- Damaged ledger board: The ledger board is the part of the decking that attaches the deck to your house, so it is an essential part of the deck and must be in good condition. If you see the ledger board getting rot, deteriorating, or damaged and getting pulled from the house, it is time to replace your decking immediately.
- Age of the deck: The deck replacement also mainly depends on the age of your decking. With time, the deck may deteriorate and get damaged. Since the decking is part of an outdoor space, it gets affected by various things such as temperature, weather, climate, etc, which can be managed by maintenance for a certain time. However, after a decade or two, it may show signs of aging and become a safety hazard, so it should be replaced immediately.
- Unaesthetic appearance: If your deck has worn out, faded, and damaged from various parts and can no longer look pleasing with staining and painting, you should consider replacing it with a new one. An unaesthetically appealing deck may affect the look of your outdoor space, and you wouldn’t feel that great spending time in the outdoor space.
Conclusion
Building a deck in the outdoor space is quite exciting as it makes your evenings fun and sometimes memorable. It elevates the elegance and charm of the outdoor space of your house if it is maintained well. It is necessary to inspect the deck regularly and do repairs for the safety of your loved ones and the protection of your house from further damage. But if structural damage or deterioration of the deck occurs, and the deck can no longer be repaired or maintained by painting or staining, then you should consider replacing your decking. It would save the cost of regular repair and maintenance and ensure the safety of your loved ones and the beauty of your house.
