Wooden decks are a popular choice for backyards because of their low cost, easy installation process, and attractive rustic and natural aesthetic. However, like all outdoor building materials, wooden deck boards have a limited lifespan that is directly influenced by the severity of the weather conditions that they experience. Over time, your wooden deck can begin to structurally degrade, which can turn your beautiful deck into a safety hazard. Understanding the warning signs that your deck has reached the end of its lifespan can help you replace it early, before it poses a problem.
Discoloration
While it may seem like only a superficial issue, the discoloration of your wooden deck boards is actually a fairly serious structural one. Discolored deck boards have had the protective sealant that prevents them from becoming damaged by water exposure: if they are not treated with stain or replaced with new wood, actual damage (expanded upon below) can occur).
Damaged Deck Boards
Over time, excessive moisture exposure can cause your wooden deck boards to twist and warp, pulling them away from their supports and making them a safety hazard. Further, if allowed to sit in moist conditions for extremely long periods of time, your deck boards can actually begin to rot. Rot will manifest itself as a spongy, dark spot on the surface of your deck boards. No matter the form of damage, you'll have to replace these boards as soon as possible.
Exposed Fasteners
As deck boards shift and warp over time due to weather exposure, they can pull the nails or screws that hold them down out of place. These exposed fasteners can be a serious safety hazard, especially if they are rusted: tetanus shots can be painful. If the boards are still in relatively good condition, you can hammer or drill in replacement fasteners, but if the boards are damaged, it's probably time to look into replacing your wooden deck.
Tilting Posts
Another good sign that your deck has reached the end of its lifespan is if the deck posts have begun to shift. You can check how straight your deck posts are with a level: however, keep in mind that posts that have been tilted for a long period of time can pull the deck boards and the underlying framing structure apart and make a collapse much more likely. Individually tilted posts can most likely be replaced: if all of your posts have been pulling away, however, especially for a long period, replacement is the best option.
Share19 September 2017
After I started focusing seriously on making my home look and feel brand new, it occurred to me that I needed to do something to make things even better. I started working with a team of remodeling contractors, and although I didn't always understand their decisions, it became apparent pretty quickly that they understood what they were doing. They worked with us each and every day to make things right, and I was really impressed with their level of professionalism. Check out this blog for great information on understanding remodeling decisions each and every time you complete a new project.