Prolonging the Life of Your Deck
Repair, Replace, Relax
Your deck is an extension of your home and, chances are, you'd like it to stay that way. If you use your deck like many of our customers do, it's a space that collects a lot of traffic and weather over the years. Unfortunately, all that traffic and Grand Rapids weather are tough on your deck area. Wouldn't it be nice if you knew a friend who could handle some deck repairs, replacement of some damaged boards so you can relax? We are that friend. We are the premier company that can repair your deck in Grand Rapids. Over the years, we have installed more decks than we can count. We would be happy to repair your deck, even if we didn't build it.
Why Deck Repairs Are Crucial
A warped board or a little weather rot might not seem like a big problem, but these things need attention. Not just for the way your deck looks but for your safety as well. When it comes to decks, small problems escalate quickly, and before you know it, that corner of weather rot has taken over the west side of your patio. Here are six potential signs you need a deck repair.
- Your Supports Are Rotting - These are structural and need attention.
- Heavy Sagging - This may mean you have a footer problem.
- Posts Have Eroded - Weather shifts soil leaving posts to erode.
- Splintering - Cracking and splintering spreads leading to a replacement.
- Loose Rails - Handrails that move are a sign of deterioration.
- Poor Aesthetic - Neglect will lead to full deck replacement.
How Do I Know if I Need Deck Repairs?
We've explained a few basics above as to when you might need to have repairs done. Here are some additional items to check from our pro shop.
Rot Check
You can check your deck for rot with a screwdriver. Poke around areas where water collects or near posts that touch the soil. If the wood is soft or starts chipping away, it might be a sign you have wood rot. Ignoring this problem will only make matters worse. Some areas may be able to be chiseled out and repaired on your own. But larger-scale rot is going to require professional help to see how widespread the problem is.
Ledger Check
The ledger is the framing components that attached the wood decking to your home. You can investigate the flashing for issues such as holes and rust. Also, does the ledger have the right hardware attached... such as lag bolts? If this is attached with anything like nails or small screws you should have that looked at by a pro. If ledgers are not installed correctly, that is when homeowners see collapsed decks. As you might imagine, a collapse is dangerous and may lead to accidents or injuries.
Joist and Beam Check
When inspecting these items you're hunting for rust and rot. You can often repair the associated hardware as long as you're comfortable creating supports before removing them. If not, that is what we are here for. Creating temporary supports can get complicated if you're unsure about how to do that on your own. You will need to cut sister boards and install framing to help you accomplish this task. Or, you can call us and we will do it.
Deterioration Check
Boards that are cracking and splintering are unsightly and really impacts how you use your deck. Most parents want their kids to be able to run around on the deck without shoes. However, with cracking or splintering boards, parents have to worry about the dramatic splinter experience. We can handle any replacements or repairs when it comes to this sort of problem. The idea is to take care of it now so it doesn't become a bigger problem later.
Railing Check
The railing system is often a good barometer that your deck is starting to age. Don't panic, this doesn't mean that a wobbly railing means you need an entirely new deck. In fact, it might be a good sign that you can address issues and keep an eye on them better now that your deck has a few miles under its belt. You can attempt to drill pilot holes and source the right tools and hardware, or you can give us a call and let us take that problem off your plate.
Do you Need a Deck Repair in Grand Rapids?
We are standing by to hear more about your deck so we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deck repairs are all different and we hope this is given you some helpful information about repairing your deck. For those of you with more inquiries, here are the top three questions we get asked:
Every deck is different and needs different repairs. We invite you to ask us about yours so we can give you a more specific timeframe. Some issues are simple and can be done in a day, others are more complex and will require a multi-day project to accomplish.
Yes. If you have a bigger section that needs replacing, we can assist with that.
Simple repairs start at about $100 dollars and go up from there depending on big your repair project is. For decks with more neglect, repair costs can lead to bigger projects. With this comes a higher dollar value as you might suspect. It will depend on your particular issues.