Wood decks can last more than 20 years if they are properly maintained and installed well from the start. However, it should be noted that if it is in a very exposed location, that can decrease its lifespan. Homeowners love decks, however, sooner or later it can become a safety and comfort issue. Sometimes just a few boards and screws need to be replaced and other times they need to be replaced entirely.
Below are five signs that you probably need a new deck.
Rotten Wood on Beams and Posts
Any signs of rot in the wood are an indication that the lifespan of the deck is coming to an end. Horizontal wood is usually the first to wear out because it takes the biggest beating from the sun, weather and foot traffic. If you’ve had a wood deck for a while, you may already know this by how often the horizontal boards need to be stained.
Splinters in Feet and Hands
We often get calls from homeowners who have already collected too many splinters and don’t want any more. You can sand, stain, and fill areas of your deck to make it last a little longer and not have to get out the clamps as often. But, regardless of how much maintenance you do, all good things must come to an end. Weather, moisture, rain, snow, and all four seasons cause even the best-treated wood to fail. When you factor in maintenance costs, many homeowners find that their composite decks cost less in the end.
Loose Deck Railings
If your deck is just a foot off the ground, a loose or rotted railing probably isn’t the end of the world. But if your deck is a few feet up, this could be a disaster waiting to happen. It’s always a good idea to check your railings every year because people tend to rely on them enough to lean or stand on them. If you’re lucky, the railings just need a few more screws and boards replaced. Many of the newer materials we use for railings virtually never degrade.
Rusty Nails, Fasteners, and Connectors
These are what act as the glue to hold everything together. We’ve seen decks that people walked on that were hanging by a thread. We’ve also seen some pretty scary DIY projects where people used hardware designed to hang picture frames to hold decks together. Plus, chances are if you’ve found some rusty screws and nails, there are probably a lot more!
The Deck Was Built Poorly From the Start
This may come as a surprise to some homeowners, but unless you’ve built your home and know what you were doing, there’s a good chance someone tampered with the pieces. Every year, dozens of decks break and people are injured. You’ve probably seen the big ones on the national news, especially if someone famous was on them. If you have suspicions that your deck is unsafe, you’re probably right. Seeing it pull away from the house, feeling soft spots, creaks, warping, a million carpenter bee holes and more are not good signs.