Now that the weather is getting warmer, homeowners across the Capital Region are spending more time outside. You may have even eaten dinner outside on your deck. Do you find yourself casting a critical eye at its condition? If it’s older than 10 years, you may want to give it a more thorough look to ensure your family’s safety.
Today, we’re going to go over the top signs you need a new deck.
This damage is most common in a wood deck. Look for split boards, holes or chipped areas, sagging, wood rot, or signs of termites. Don’t forget to look underneath too (easier with an elevated deck). If you see any of these things, it’s time for a replacement.
Some builders and DIY homeowners cut corners. That means they may not have set your deck posts in concrete. Go underneath and examine the posts for wood rot. If you see rotting wood, the posts at the very least need to be replaced. If your deck shows other signs of damage, plan on replacing the whole thing.
Your deck’s ledger board is the part of your deck that’s attached to your house. If it’s pulling away from your house in the slightest, it could completely detach. This is a serious safety issue, especially for an elevated deck. Plan on getting an upgrade or patio.
If just one section of railing or just a couple of posts are wobbly, that can be easily repaired. But if you see signs of rot or insect damage, you need to know that the same damage is affecting other parts of your deck. It’s time for a replacement.
This is a serious sign that you need a replacement. Whether it’s age or deterioration or a combination of the two, a sagging deck indicates structural damage. Start planning for a new one.
These are all signs that it’s time to do something. You can choose to tear down and replace it with higher quality materials such as composite decking like Fiberon or tropical hardwood. Now is a good time to hire a design and build team to look at expanding your deck. You may also want to consider putting in a patio at the same time. Any time that you upgrade your outdoor living area, the possibilities are endless!
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If you’re looking for a custom builder who can upgrade your outdoor living space, we can help. We design and build custom decks using high-quality materials. We do not build decks using pressure-treated lumber. If you have an elevated deck, we can also design and install a patio underneath for expanded entertaining.
Use the contact form to schedule an on-site consultation or call 301.720.1000. We work with homeowners in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia.
