What’s the difference between a deck footing and a deck post?

• <div><p>Both deck footings and deck posts help prop up your deck. However, footings are the bottommost parts of a deck that touch the ground. They’re usually made of concrete. Posts are pieces of wood that attach to the top of the footings with brackets. They run upwards and connect to the underside of your deck to support its weight. </p></div>

Top 10 Best Deck maintenance specialists in Abingdon, IL

Q: Should deck boards be spaced or tight?

• <div><p>Deck boards should be spaced no more than three-eighths of an inch apart. This is enough space to allow water and small debris to pass through without collecting on the surface, but not enough to create a tripping hazard. Certain materials, like pressure-treated wood, shrink over time, so they may need less space at installation. </p></div>

Q: What is the best material or fill to put under a deck?

• <div><p>While you can use various materials like sand or even just soil, gravel is widely considered the best option to put under a deck. It provides excellent drainage and is resistant to water, fire, and pests. Gravel also helps anchor the soil to prevent erosion during heavy rain and acts as a built-in weed blocker, reducing regular upkeep. Furthermore, it is simple to spread, available in various textures and tones, and adds a polished look that complements any deck design.</p></div>

Q: Is composite decking better than real wood?

• <div><p>Whether composite decking is better than wood depends on your priorities, especially regarding budget and maintenance. Composite decking offers superior longevity (30 to 50 years) and durability, and it is low-maintenance, requiring no sanding, staining, or sealing. In contrast, wood decks typically last 10 to 30 years and need refinishing every few years. While the upfront cost of composite is higher than wood, the reduced maintenance can lead to long-term savings. If a lower initial cost is the primary factor, wood is the more affordable choice.</p></div>

Q: What are the pros and cons of staining a deck?

• <div><p>There are more <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-staining-a-deck.htm">pros than cons when staining a deck</a>. Deck stain is more affordable than paint, it protects the wood and allows the natural textures to shine through, and it can revive the appearance of your home. However, deck stain also requires prep work (sometimes days or more), carries more upkeep than a painted deck, and can fade over time if not cared for. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Maintenance pros in Abingdon, IL

*The Angi rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Abingdon, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Abingdon, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

Last update on February 27, 2025

Reviewed in February 2025
I called Basio for my neighbor who needed assistance with a hot water heating system failure during the coldest weather of the last few weeks. The wonderful young lady who answered the call was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. I explained the unique situation, my friend has a handicap and...
Basio Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning
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Reviewed in July 2021
Josh arrived on time. When he saw that the job was not large, he went to work immediately. In just an hour the deck railing was repaired and the work area swept clean. The rotted board is replaced and the railing is much sturdier.
Joshua Moore's Home Maintenance, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2018
Their Polylevel product was used to raise/level 32 yr old concrete deck around pool. Cracks were also repaired and sealed. Looks terrific and no longer a tripping hazard for the grandchildren!
MidAmerica Basement Systems
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Reviewed in May 2018
Simon, Tom and the crew are amazing. It is incredible how fast they work!!! They did a major project for us. They installed a beautiful retaining wall in our front yard and re-did most of our landscaping: front yard, side yards, and part of the back yard, which included demolishing an old deck,...
LUCKY STAR LANDSCAPING, INC.
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Reviewed in May 2017
Shane and his crew did an amazing job taking down my tree. It was a very large tree and was just a couple feet from a privacy fence which I was afraid would cause a problem for them. They also had to navigate around a pool, a deck and the house and managed to bring the whole thing down without...
Trees, Lawns and More
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Reviewed in May 2017
Careful attention to detail, willing to take the time to do it right, stayed on schedule, demonstrated knowledge of the craft of building a deck. Everything first rate.
Paradise Home Improvement, LLC
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Reviewed in September 2015
Replaced a couple old light switches and reestablished electrical connection to some (but not all) of the lights on back deck. Made the mistake of not checking work until long after they had left. On the invoice, I indicated that some lights in back still didn't work. The owner promptly called...
Mangieri Electrical
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Reviewed in December 2012
This was one of the best home maintenance/renovation experiences we've had. Robin's estimate was fair and his estimate is exactly what we paid. Robin and his helper (sorry, can't remember his name) were there every day from start to finish. They did an excellent job installing everything, were...
UNITED SIDING CO
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Find Deck maintenance specialists in Abingdon

Agape Construction & Improvement

4.0(

)

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"
Brady is the best you'll ever find for home remodeling projects.
Showed up on time. Took the time to make ever job right.
Projects were worked on over a number of months, one at a time.

The best and most honest tradesmen I've ever found.
We moved to Texas in January of 2014. We whish Brady could have come with us.
I've found some good (and bad) people to work on the Texas home. But no one who comes close to the quality of work done by Brady Brower.
"

Recommended by90%of homeowners

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Green Earth Enterprises Inc

4.7(

)

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I hired the company to do a make ready [clean up & prep] on a single apartment in a building which I own in the town where I live. I needed the property to be cleaned up so I could rent it again. I have been a landlord for over 20 years & hadn't found a vacated property in such a mess in all my years. They did the complete interior clean-up which took about five hours. And, the complete prep of the property. they took out all the trash & junk, and cleaned up all debris left in the yard. They did such a great job with that I decided to use them for the yard maintenance also. They cleaned all my flowerbeds & got them ready for spring, placed mulch & trimmed the shrubs and flowering trees. On the inside they made everything look brand new! Cleaning the walls, painting, cleaned the carpets & stripped & polished the wood floors...making them look brand new. The appliances that stayed were cleaned inside & out. They even remembered to get all the light fixtures clean for me. Dusted all window seals & doorways. Shine mopped all they tile floors. To top it all off they even gave the bathrooms a fresh clean look by putting a new caulk seal around the tubs, sinks & shower...which gave the bathrooms a fresh face. All in all I found it to be a very stress free pleasant experience. And, I will definitely call on them for the next project because if they could do so well with a nightmare like that I'm sure the less difficult will be equally affordable and easily handled. Everything just looked so nice when they were finished. Thanks, Green Earth
"

Recommended by71%of homeowners

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Laura and the crew are very professional, courteous, nice people. They tried to save money and help me afford to get everything done that I needed to get done."

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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American Custom Homes

5.0(

)

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"I would like to start off with precise, warm welcome and highly responsible of what they are doing. They really know what they are doing and from start from start to end it has been a great project with new experiences and great craftsmanship. Thanks again guys and i hope to have more work for you soon...
"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Self-Made Services LLC Handyman&Mobile Mechanic

4.5(

)

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"It was very good. He was very friendly and on time. He got the job done."

+13

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Very friendly. Did amazing work helping clean up my yard that had t been touched in 6 years. I couldn t be happier with the services I received."

Response time2 days

Recommended by60%of homeowners

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Handyman Property Maintenance Preservation

New to Angi

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 1990

Free estimates

We�re a locally owned and operated company with over 20 years of industry experience. We value honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. We offer a variety of Home Improvement services that are customizable to each individual project. We specialize in handyman/carpentry work and a variety of related service and repair projects. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!\nFor more information please visit our website: www.handymanpropertypreservationmaintenance.com\n

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TLC Maintenance

New to Angi

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 1988

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

TLC Maintenance is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business. We hope too seeing you soon!

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Trystin Demott Handy Service

New to Angi

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

10 years of experience

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Gateway Roof Cleaning

1.7(

)

Serving Abingdon, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Gateway Roof Cleaning provides quality work to our customers in doing cleaning services we ensure the highest level of service if you need a pro call us. \nThe chemicals we use don't threaten health to family, pets, trees, shrubs flowerbeds, or anything else. We only use low pressure cleaning.\n\n

Recommended by33%of homeowners

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Showing 1-10 of 16

Deck Maintenance questions, answered by experts

Both deck footings and deck posts help prop up your deck. However, footings are the bottommost parts of a deck that touch the ground. They’re usually made of concrete. Posts are pieces of wood that attach to the top of the footings with brackets. They run upwards and connect to the underside of your deck to support its weight.

Deck boards should be spaced no more than three-eighths of an inch apart. This is enough space to allow water and small debris to pass through without collecting on the surface, but not enough to create a tripping hazard. Certain materials, like pressure-treated wood, shrink over time, so they may need less space at installation.

While you can use various materials like sand or even just soil, gravel is widely considered the best option to put under a deck. It provides excellent drainage and is resistant to water, fire, and pests. Gravel also helps anchor the soil to prevent erosion during heavy rain and acts as a built-in weed blocker, reducing regular upkeep. Furthermore, it is simple to spread, available in various textures and tones, and adds a polished look that complements any deck design.

Whether composite decking is better than wood depends on your priorities, especially regarding budget and maintenance. Composite decking offers superior longevity (30 to 50 years) and durability, and it is low-maintenance, requiring no sanding, staining, or sealing. In contrast, wood decks typically last 10 to 30 years and need refinishing every few years. While the upfront cost of composite is higher than wood, the reduced maintenance can lead to long-term savings. If a lower initial cost is the primary factor, wood is the more affordable choice.

There are more pros than cons when staining a deck. Deck stain is more affordable than paint, it protects the wood and allows the natural textures to shine through, and it can revive the appearance of your home. However, deck stain also requires prep work (sometimes days or more), carries more upkeep than a painted deck, and can fade over time if not cared for.

The Abingdon, IL homeowners’ guide to deck maintenance services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Mitchell Grant
•
May 2, 2026May 2, 2026
How Much Does a Pressure-Treated Wood Deck Cost? [2026 Data]
Looking to update your yard with a new outdoor entertaining area? Learn how much a pressure-treated wood deck costs and how to estimate your total.
Scott Dylan Westerlund
•
May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
Cost to Seal or Waterproof a Deck [2026 Data]
Sealing a deck is important for protecting it against the elements. Find out the cost to seal a deck, whether you DIY or hire a pro to do the job.
Angi
•
Apr 16, 2026Apr 16, 2026
How Much Does Mahogany Decking Cost? [2026 Data]
Discover mahogany decking costs and learn about material, labor, and installation factors to budget your new deck project with confidence.
Jenna Jonaitis
•
Apr 5, 2026Apr 5, 2026
Top Deck Maintenance Tips for Every Decking Material
Deck maintenance is vital to protecting a wooden deck. Cleaning, staining and sealing a deck after pressure washing will add years to its lifespan. Protect a deck by following these deck maintenance tips for cedar and other types of wood materials.
Lawrence Bonk
•
Mar 19, 2026Mar 19, 2026
Deck Maintenance Checklists for Every Season
Keep your decking looking new with this deck maintenance checklist.
Deirdre Sullivan
•
Apr 9, 2026Apr 9, 2026
7 Best Maintenance-Free Decking Materials
Finding maintenance-free decking that works for your home, budget, and lifestyle can be challenging. This guide lists the 7 best low-maintenance deck materials.