Your deck is one of the most important spaces in your home. This is because your deck is one of the most visible parts of your home’s exterior. Because of this, you’ll want to do all you can to make sure that it is always in good condition. Now, we understand that this isn’t something that you can always do as maintaining your deck will require you to make a significant investment. However, there are tell-tale signs that you can watch out for that indicate that you may need to consider replacing your deck.
This is trickier than it sounds, as some of these signs are rather subtle and will be hard to recognize if you don’t know what to look for. To help you out with this, we’ve prepared a list of the most common warning signs that you may need to replace your deck. If this is something that you’re interested in, read on to learn how to accurately spot deck issues.
The Railings Are Shaky
One of the clearest signs that your deck needs to be replaced is shaky railings. This is true even if they are only slightly wobbly. Any sort of movement is indicative of a problem. The thing you have to understand about railings is that they are attached only with nails, which means they are prone to loosening over time.
Now, securing railings with more stable materials such as galvanized steel carriage bolts will increase longevity but these will also loosen over time. Once this happens, the only proper solution is to have your deck replaced. Failing to do so won’t only lead to deck issues but it will also compromise your own safety. The last thing you want is for your railings to give out while you’re holding on to them, as this will likely lead to an accident.
The Posts Are Rotting
Rotting posts are also a clear sign that there is something wrong with your deck. As long as your deck is made of wood, rotting is pretty much inevitable. It also doesn’t help that the wood is constantly exposed to the elements.
With that being said, you don’t automatically have to replace your entire deck if only a couple of posts are rotting. This is why you’ll want to spot this issue early as it can end up saving you money. However, if many of the posts on your deck have already started to rot away then you’ll have very few options outside of completely replacing your deck.
There Is Widespread Discoloration
Lastly, one of the most evident signs that your deck needs replacing is widespread discoloration. There’s no getting around this as wood decks will weather and change over time. This is discounting the possibility of external forces like chemical spills and similar accidents, which will significantly speed up the process. If you’re starting to notice that your wood decks are starting to look different, then you should look into replacing the deck.
Conclusion
As you can see, these signs can be rather easy to spot as long as you understand what to look for. Hopefully, this article proves to be useful in helping you catch issues early so you can start doing something about it. The earlier you spot deck issues, the better as it can actually end up saving you money because you’ll be able to catch the problems before they progress.
If you’re looking for help with restoration and remodeling in Homewood, AL, then you’ve come to the right place. With BMR Homes, you can transform your deck into your dream outdoor space. For more information on what we can do for you, visit our website today!