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A deck can be a beautiful area of your home’s exterior and a perfect space to relax with your friends and family. So if your home has a deck, you want to do all you can to ensure its longevity. To maintain its sparkle, it needs to be repaired when there is an issue with it. Delaying its repairs could lead to safety hazards and having to spend a lot of money entirely replacing the deck. According to statistics compiled by the North American Deck and Railing Association, the number of deck failures resulting injuries has been increasing at an even greater rate over the last 10 years.

To prevent a total deterioration of your deck, you need to understand the most common deck repairs, and also know when to engage the service of a professional deck repair contractor.

In this article, we explore the five common types of deck repair and how they are done. For more information about deck repairs, please visit our website at overlandparkdeckbuilders.com.

1. Structural Weakness

Structural weakness is another very common issue that requires the help of a professional deck repair contractor to solve. Board gaps happen as a result of the deck getting older and should be taken care of immediately it is discovered. To keep the deck safe, the professional is required to replace the boards.

It is important you pay attention to the structural integrity, which is why you should call a professional to inspect it. They have the expertise to identify any problems before they threaten your safety.

2. Discoloration

Discoloration of the deck is one of the most common issues that homeowners face. With time, your deck goes through long-term exposure to the elements and begins to age. As a result of aging, your deck will eventually have some discoloration. When your deck begins to experience discoloration, it can look old and outdated. While this can sometimes be easily fixed by just sanding the deck and refinishing it, you will need to have enough DIY knowledge and a lot of patience.

If you observe that your deck has gone through discoloration and you are not sure of your ability to restore it to its old glory, then it’s best to hire a professional to get the job done for you. Professionals have the right tools and expertise to get the job done well. With their help, your discolored deck can regain its sparkle and look brand new again.

3. Broken Boards

As a result of frequent use and a long period of exposure to the elements, you may begin to notice a few broken boards on your deck. This must be taken seriously and the deck must be repaired as soon as possible. This is because broken boards are a safety risk to you, your family, and friends that come visiting your home.

Your best option is to call a professional to get the job done. The repair procedure requires that your cuts must be precise to ensure that the boards are fixed and be as stable as possible. Considering that everyone’s safety is threatened by a broken board, you should let this be fixed by a professional.

4. Rot

A deck made with wood can be susceptible to rot especially if the deck has a lot of stagnant water around it. As rot spreads, other healthy boards are also affected because the fungi and bacteria can spread to the healthy boards, causing bigger problems for the deck. So, the rot needs to be addressed immediately.

As soon as you notice rot, you should call a deck repair expert to check it out. A professional will schedule an inspection on the deck, find out the degree of the rot, and create a plan to get it fixed. If the damage is much, a professional may recommend a total rebuild of the deck using more durable materials such as composite decking.

5. Termites

One of the greatest sources of distress for most homeowners is the invasion of termites. This can happen especially when your deck is made of wood. If the deck of a home is attacked by termites, it needs to be repaired before it becomes a safety hazard.

The termite problem must first be addressed before anything else is done. Once the termite problem is taken care of, one can then call a professional deck repair team to get the deck fixed. They will first inspect the deck to see the degree of damage that has been done by the termite, and then propose the best approach to repair it.

Finding Reputable Deck Repair Contractors

If you want to verify the structural integrity and the safety of your deck, cutting corners can cost you dearly. The deterioration of wood can be faster than you might think, and deck collapses can cause unimaginable casualties.

The following are a few things you should do:

  • Contact several contractors and request for estimates from them so as to make the best hiring choice possible.
  • Be careful of any deck repair contractor that is not willing to provide proof of insurance coverage.
  • While there are many factors that will determine the bids of different contractors, be wary of any contractor that gives you a bid that is widely different from the other ones you’ve received.
  • Repair work and deck replacement can create a lot of waste, most of which cannot be repurposed or reused. So, ask specifically about cleanup. Cleanup costs should be included in the estimates of every contractor you contact so you can make easy comparisons of the bid.

Once your deck is repaired and now safe to use, make plans for a regular maintenance schedule with your deck contractor.

The Bottom Line

When in good shape, a deck can be the perfect area of your home’s extension where you can relax and have a good time with your family and friends. Aging, long-term exposure to the elements of weather, and lack of regular maintenance can have a serious effect on the deck. This is why you must do a regular inspection of your deck to check for any signs of deterioration.

With the help of a reputable and experienced deck contractor, you can repair or replace your deck, making it regain its old glory.