Get matched with top deck maintenance specialists in Alexis, IL

Q: Do you have to dig footers for a deck?

• <div><p>You do not have to dig footers for a deck as long as it meets local code and holds up to weather in your area. If you live somewhere that experiences high winds and earthquakes, you may need to dig for your deck posts. Deck blocks, post anchors with base plates, and helical pile systems are the three no-dig deck post options you can choose from if local code permits.</p></div>

Q: Where do deck boards often rot first?

• <div><p>Rot loves moisture, so deck rot typically impacts the parts of a board that stay wet. This includes the underside of boards, in addition to support posts and joists. However, any part of a board can rot, given the right conditions. </p></div>

Q: What is the standard spacing for spindles or balusters on a deck or stair railing?

• <div><p>Most building codes require that spindles or balusters on deck and stair railings be spaced no more than four inches apart. This safety standard, often called the '4-inch sphere rule,' is designed to prevent small children or pets from slipping through the railing. A good way to visualize this is that a 4-inch sphere should not be able to pass between two spindles. For the same safety reason, the space between the bottom rail and the deck floor should also be no more than four inches. As a general guideline, professionals often install three balusters per foot of railing. However, since specific requirements can vary by location, it is crucial to check your local building codes to ensure compliance before starting your project.</p></div>

Q: Why build a deck around a pool?

• <div><p>There are several perks to building a deck around your inground or above-ground pool. Specifically, building a deck around a pool gives you space to lounge and sunbathe, easy access to monitor kids in the pool, extra room for entertaining and dining, an anti-slip surface for post-pool fun, and enhanced aesthetics. </p></div>

Q: Which way should a gate swing, in or out?

• <div><p>The best direction for a gate to swing depends on its location and purpose, but swinging inward is the general rule. An inward swing is often considered safer, prevents the gate from opening into public spaces like a sidewalk, and may be required by local building codes.</p><p>There are exceptions and specific considerations. If your property is on a slope, an inward swing might not be possible. For a deck gate, it's safest to have it swing away from any steps. In a backyard, the direction can be a matter of preference, though an inward swing can be helpful when carrying heavy items like a wheelbarrow into a garden.</p><p>Regardless of direction, ensure the gate can open fully without hitting any objects or blocking spaces. While an inward swing is standard, a gate that can swing both in and out offers the most flexibility if your setup allows for it.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Maintenance pros in Alexis, IL

*The Angi rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Alexis, 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 Alexis, 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 April 25, 2025

Reviewed in April 2025
We had an excellent rental house with a worn out asphalt shingle roof that became damaged in a windstorm and started leaking. Trenton black and quality roofing pro came to our rescue and were timely and professional in their assistance. The job was reasonably priced and completed quickly....
Quality Roofing Pro
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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 August 2020
Did a great timely job. Yard cleanup, power wash my house and rebuild a deck. And when asked after completion to seal and coat the deck he offered for half the cost of the other guys. Absolutely recommend for all available services.
The Outsiders, 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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Reviewed in September 2012
They asked for half down on the garage and began work. They asked for a cashier's check made in the wife's name, which should have been a red flag. They began work on the garage and did about 90% of the job when they asked for the final payment. <br /> I went ahead and paid and they promised...
ELGIN & SON CONSTRUCTION
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Find Deck maintenance specialists in Alexis

The Handy Human LLC

New to Angi

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Small jobs welcome

Hello, I'm John, owner and sole proprietor of The Handy Human. I've been doing general home maintenance and repair my whole life, and am not immune to the never-ending to-do list that can plague most homeowners. If your personal home or rental property needs an upgrade or general maintenance, I am your human. There is no job too small for a helping hand in this world. Let's work together to shorten that list so you can get back to enjoying your home as it is meant to be.

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

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1 of 1 quality home improvement LLC

New to Angi

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

My name is James botkin with 1 of 1 quality home improvement LLC. We are professionals in replacing Windows, doors, siding, floors, metal wraps, soffit, and fascia, and with 15 plus years experience me and our team will be sure to make sure the homeowner is as happy as can be with the work we do!!\nWhy?, because we are the 1

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Agape Construction & Improvement

4.0(

)

Serving Alexis, 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 Alexis, 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 Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I had a dishwasher install and an outdoor access stair replaced(3steps). Done on 2 different days. He arrived one time and the jobs were completed satisfactorily."

Response time4 hrs

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"It went well. He was timely. He did the work and the work was good. He got everything done in a day and no complaint. He made sure that I knew what he's doing."

Recommended by57%of homeowners

Serving Alexis, 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 Alexis, 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 Alexis, 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 Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Matt was very professional when giving us a quote and the entire time he was at our house painting. He was very efficient and respectful. We would definitely hire him again. Highly Recommend!!!!!!!!!"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

Showing 1-10 of 24

Deck Maintenance questions, answered by experts

You do not have to dig footers for a deck as long as it meets local code and holds up to weather in your area. If you live somewhere that experiences high winds and earthquakes, you may need to dig for your deck posts. Deck blocks, post anchors with base plates, and helical pile systems are the three no-dig deck post options you can choose from if local code permits.

Rot loves moisture, so deck rot typically impacts the parts of a board that stay wet. This includes the underside of boards, in addition to support posts and joists. However, any part of a board can rot, given the right conditions.

Most building codes require that spindles or balusters on deck and stair railings be spaced no more than four inches apart. This safety standard, often called the '4-inch sphere rule,' is designed to prevent small children or pets from slipping through the railing. A good way to visualize this is that a 4-inch sphere should not be able to pass between two spindles. For the same safety reason, the space between the bottom rail and the deck floor should also be no more than four inches. As a general guideline, professionals often install three balusters per foot of railing. However, since specific requirements can vary by location, it is crucial to check your local building codes to ensure compliance before starting your project.

There are several perks to building a deck around your inground or above-ground pool. Specifically, building a deck around a pool gives you space to lounge and sunbathe, easy access to monitor kids in the pool, extra room for entertaining and dining, an anti-slip surface for post-pool fun, and enhanced aesthetics.

The best direction for a gate to swing depends on its location and purpose, but swinging inward is the general rule. An inward swing is often considered safer, prevents the gate from opening into public spaces like a sidewalk, and may be required by local building codes.

There are exceptions and specific considerations. If your property is on a slope, an inward swing might not be possible. For a deck gate, it's safest to have it swing away from any steps. In a backyard, the direction can be a matter of preference, though an inward swing can be helpful when carrying heavy items like a wheelbarrow into a garden.

Regardless of direction, ensure the gate can open fully without hitting any objects or blocking spaces. While an inward swing is standard, a gate that can swing both in and out offers the most flexibility if your setup allows for it.

The Alexis, 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

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