7 Crucial Signs Your Deck Needs to Be Replaced
Don’t ignore these red flags
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Major warning signs include cracks, mold, rust, and warping.
A defective deck poses risks to homeowner safety and the house itself.
It’s cheaper and easier to repair a deck than to replace it, which costs $7,900 on average.
Between year-round exposure to the elements and daily wear and tear, decks need regular upkeep to stay in tip-top shape. But how do you know when a warped board or wobbly railing calls for a simple repair or signals a larger issue? Below, we’ll explain the key signs that your deck needs to be replaced so you can address the problems before they become a safety issue.
Why a Faulty Deck Is Dangerous
When a deck experiences structural issues, it poses a physical safety risk. Damaged or unstable boards and railings can easily cause someone to fall or get cut by a loose nail or splinter. Some issues can even lead to a total deck collapse, which might result in serious injury. That’s why it’s best to address these warning signs before they get out of hand.
Signs a Deck Needs Replacement
From obvious damage to hazards that are harder to see, here are the biggest signs your deck needs some handiwork.
1. Damaged Decking
Damage comes in many forms, but it’s one of the easiest signs to spot. Look for boards that are cracked, splintering, warped, or broken. If the damage is minimal, replacing a few deck boards is easy, and you won’t have to pay for a full-scale deck replacement. However, damaged boards can indicate more worrisome issues, which we’ll cover below.
2. Sagging
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A telltale sign your deck needs to be repaired, if not entirely replaced, is if it’s sagging. Sometimes, you’ll notice the problem simply by looking at your deck; other times, you can feel the boards sagging underfoot. Sagging indicates an issue with the footings, posts, or joists. Have a local deck pro inspect these areas and advise the best course of action.
3. Mold, Mildew, and Algae
If mold, mildew, and algae are overtaking your deck, it’s a sign of excess moisture exposure, which can lead to rotting wood. Fungi and algae tend to grow underneath a deck where it’s especially damp and shady, so check the area regularly. Even if you remove mold and algae, check if the surrounding wood is soft or rotten.
4. Rusted Nails, Screws, or Connectors
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It’s common for nails, screws, and other metal parts to rust over time, especially if you live in a wet, humid area. However, rust is a bigger concern if it causes metal parts to weaken or slip out of place.
5. Infestation or Insect Damage
Termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and even rodents are just a few critters that can damage a deck. If the infestation is severe, the bugs may be visible to the naked eye. If not, look for droppings, bite marks, splintered wood, small holes where insects can burrow, and hollow sounds when you walk across the deck.
6. Damaged Ledger Board
A ledger board is a long piece of lumber that connects the deck to the house, usually by bolts or screws. It’s one of the most important parts of a deck, and any damage to it is a major concern because it puts the deck’s structural integrity at risk. Check if the ledger board is cracked, slanted, or contains any loose screws.
7. Slanted Posts
Slanted posts are an immediate safety hazard since posts provide crucial support to the rest of the deck. Luckily, pros can often repair deck posts by strengthening the connectors or rebuilding the footings. If not, it’s time for a full rebuild.
How to Know You Need to Hire a Pro for Deck Replacement
Before deciding to tear down your old deck and build a new one, you should assess whether the problems are minor enough to repair. An experienced pro can distinguish a serious issue from something easily fixed. Schedule an inspection by a professional deck builder in your area. They’ll let you know if the deck is salvageable or if a full rebuild is necessary.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
While repairing damage to a simple, ground-level deck is manageable for some homeowners, especially those with carpentry experience, it’s best left to the pros. After all, a minor construction mistake can have major consequences, ranging from damage to your house to physical injury. That’s why we recommend contacting one of the many types of professionals who can build a deck, from general contractors to specialized deck experts.
How to Prevent Common Deck Problems
Keeping up with deck maintenance, from minor repairs to regular cleaning, ensures you get the longest possible lifespan out of your deck. These tips and tricks should prevent issues for years to come.
Inspect your deck at least once per year.
Restain or reseal your deck every two to three years.
Sweep up often, and thoroughly wash your deck annually.
Promptly fix any damaged boards, railings, steps, or nails.
Clean up messes from food and drink, especially grease, to prevent mold, mildew, and stains.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair or Replace A Deck?
On average, it costs $7,900 to replace a deck, but the exact price can range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the deck’s size and style and the material used. Replacing a deck is comparable to the cost of building a new deck, but demolition can add about $2 to $6 per square foot.
Even though deck repairs vary in price, they are significantly cheaper than replacing a deck. Minor repairs, such as fixing a loose step or wobbly rail, can cost as little as $50 and are often DIY-friendly. More extensive repairs, like eradicating termites or replacing multiple boards, can cost up to $3,500. Homeowners spend an average of $2,100 when repairing a deck.
The best material for your deck depends on several factors, including your budget, location, aesthetic preferences, and the level of maintenance you’re willing to do. Wood decking, like redwood, ipe, cedar, and pine, lasts the longest, but it’s more expensive and requires more upkeep than composite and synthetic decking.
Replacing a deck takes an average of two to six weeks, but the exact timeline depends on the deck’s size, design, materials, and the time of year. Some complex decks take several months to build, while pros may build a small, simple deck in a week. Replacing a deck takes longer than building one from scratch since demolition and cleanup are required.
Yes, replacing a deck can be a good investment, especially if the existing deck is in disrepair. Replacing a run-down deck provides a fresh, new look and increases home value. Sometimes, replacing a deck is even necessary for safety reasons. It’s cheaper and easier to repair parts of a deck than replace the entire unit, but if a deck is in particularly bad shape, replacement is best.
