Spring Deck Repair and Maintenance

Now that the weather is warming up, it is a good idea to take a few minutes to inspect your deck for signs of deterioration. Deck repairs are easiest in early spring before the structure gets heavy use during spring and summer. Below are a few helpful hints to make sure your deck is in shape for the warm months:

• Look for any loose, soft or cracked wood that could be unsafe if not corrected.
• Replace any decking boards that have too much give, or feel spongy when you walk on them.
• Handrails should be secure and not wobbly.
• The deck posts should not show signs of rot at the bottom. Push a screwdriver into any areas that show damage. If the point of the screwdriver goes into the wood, it is time to get it repaired.
• The deck board against the house should not have any gap between it and the house. It should also not have any rot or deterioration.
• Balusters (vertical slats on the rails) shouldn't be more than 4 inches apart.
• Apply sealer to any exposed wood. Pressure-wash if necessary to clean the deck prior to sealing.