Get matched with top deck maintenance specialists in Delevan, NY

To child- or pet-proof your deck railing, look for railing systems with narrow spacing—under 4 inches—between balusters or panels. For added safety, consider installing a clear acrylic or mesh guard along the inside of the railing to prevent small limbs or paws from slipping through. Avoid horizontal rails that adventurous kids can climb like ladders. You can also add self-closing gates at stair openings to limit access.

Learning how to repair rotted wood is something that you can do after stopping existing wood rot from spreading. After removing the wood rot, you can put new wood in place of the ruined wood or use wood putty to repair minor damage. However, because wood rot is difficult to eradicate without expert help, you may want a professional to do it. Do not attempt repairs in the area until you are certain that all the damaged wood and signs of wood rot are gone.

Rotten deck boards can sometimes be repaired, but only if the damage is minor. Repairing small patches of rot involves strengthening the damaged area with wood hardener, filler, or epoxy. More substantial damage requires replacing the boards or rebuilding the entire structure in extreme cases. If the rot extends to the joists, posts, or beams, have a contractor evaluate the damage to ensure it is still structurally sound.

When it comes to rotten deck wood, there really is no fixing it in the traditional sense—it needs to be removed and replaced. While you can certainly do this yourself, we don’t recommend it as some of the issues causing wood to rot could have spread throughout your deck and an untrained eye may not be able to notice. The good news is that replacing deck wood isn’t the most expensive project, and can seriously increase the quality and aesthetics of your home.