Professional Deck Repair in McKinney, TX and Nearby Areas
While some Texans enjoy staying inside with their ACs cranked, some prefer winding down outside on their beloved deck. Besides, it’s the best place to dwell and hang out when you have people over. Whether you had it professionally built or installed it by yourself, the reason you have it is that it’s an important extension to your home. Besides adding functionality and comfortable outdoor living space, you’re increasing your home’s value by creating this additional area.
However, anything that constitutes a home requires seasonal maintenance to stay functional and in decent condition, especially when made of materials that are susceptible to weather damage and call for McKinney deck repair services. Are you falling behind with your annual maintenance or suspect that recent soil movement is affecting your wood deck’s structural integrity? Potential damage doesn’t always come with visible warning signs until accidents happen and repairs are needed. Your safest bet is to make a list of safety inspections that will rule out any dangers that could affect you or your family.
When you hire your local McKinney handyman from Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County, you can expect us to tick off every checkbox on your seasonal maintenance list, including deck repair. McKinney TX homeowners will save lots of time and receive enhanced safety and comfort on their property. Our uniformed service technicians have passed all their background checks and drug screens are dedicated to honest and efficient handyman services. Count on our team to arrive on time and be ready to expertly execute any maintenance and repair task that you need done. As a locally owned and operated business, you can rely on our expertise and experience, which is backed up by our done right promise.
Wooden Decks
Going to the hardware store is by far the easiest and most cost-effective option when you seek pressure-treated wood. It’s a hassle-free purchase that saves you time because chances are they’re already pre-sealed and all you need to do is install them. But once you have your dream deck, it’s easy to forget about the annual maintenance it requires to stay in shape. McKinney’s annual precipitation is 41.1 inches on average, which is above the nation’s overall average. Torrential rain is far too common in Texas, causing flash floods, uncontrolled soil movement, and property damage. Our McKinney deck repair experts have seen severe damages that include half-sunken decks or extremely soaked wooden boards that have suffered from internal damage. Learn about the wood types that require seasonal maintenance:
Pressure-Treated Wood
As mentioned before, every hardware store in McKinney has it in stock or can order it for you hassle-free. It’s called pressure-treated because the wood has been injected with preservatives and other chemicals that make it moisture and bug-resistant. Seasonal maintenance from McKinney deck repair services includes sanding, staining or sealing to ensure splinters don’t develop into cracks and holes as it would invite moisture to settle and develop rot. Well-maintained pressure-treated wood can last over 25 years with only small repairs required.
Cedar
Cedar is probably your most natural choice for wood. Not only does it require little maintenance, but it’s also naturally moisture resistant and deters bugs. You can also go as far as not staining it for that matter, but in order to help you slow down the deterioration process, our McKinney deck repair experts recommend doing it if you don’t want your beautiful deck color to fade too soon. Additionally, cedar is a versatile and an environmentally friendly choice. We do suggest looking carefully at where your lumber comes from during sourcing. Cedar decking can last up to 20 years.
Synthetic Decks
Before you frown upon this, keep in mind that synthetic materials can be quite environmentally friendly thanks to advancing technology that includes the use of recycled materials. It will depend on where you look for synthetic decking materials and it’s good to have a list of questions ready for the manufacturer to ensure you’re making a decent choice. Common synthetic materials include:
Composite
Composite decking has gained a lot of popularity in the market alongside wood, often even going by the description of “synthetic wood.” Composite is made of a blend of wood fibers and plastic film, offering resilient and weather-resistant qualities. It barely requires any maintenance, except for the occasional clean. The only downsides are that composite materials are more expensive and don’t emit a natural wood-like appearance. But wouldn’t you prefer something that is entirely rot-proof and can last up to 30 years with little to no deck repairs? McKinney TX property owners who choose composite decking are recommended to ensure their warranty papers include stain and fade warranties.
Vinyl
Vinyl is made of hollow and solid PVC materials and will not give you the wood-like appearance that many homeowners in McKinney crave. That said, it’s customizable, low-maintenance and durable, no staining required. While the overall installation process is fairly simple and cost-effective, your expert handyman will pay close attention to cutting materials carefully because vinyl dust is not biodegradable. One downside of vinyl is that it’s prone to cracking during extreme temperatures and repairs often require replacing a whole section. If you protect it well from sunlight, it can last you for over 20 years.
What Are The Signs You Need McKinney Deck Repair?
McKinney residents who prefer not to add deck maintenance to their spring cleaning to-do list should leave it to their courteous team at Mr. Handyman, along with other exterior seasonal tasks. This way, you will be ready for the summer in no time! You want every corner and surface to be safe when your kids or pets dash outside.
Any area that poses a safety hazard should be taken care of before accidents occur. It’s not always safe for you to make the investigations yourself, so we highly recommend calling our expert team for deck repair. McKinney TX homeowners who notice any of these warning signs should immediately take precautions.
Wobbly Railing
Your railing’s stability depends highly on the materials used and how well the balusters and rail posts are attached to the rim and outer joists. The moment you rest your hand on the handrail, it shouldn’t wobble. If it is, immediately check for loose bolts and screws. Also, make sure the frame is well-connected to the deck joists and beams.
If the boards appear to be in decent condition but screws, nails, and connectors are corroded, your McKinney deck repair professionals will replace them with non-corrosive stainless steel. It’s important to note that galvanized and stainless steel are safest for pressure-treated wood, whereas cedar and composite tolerate aluminum better.
Damaged Stairs
Decks typically have connecting stairs that connect to the joists. Stair stringers require several 2x6 support beams installed in the backside of the rim joists. It’s worth checking if the screws are corroded as it could affect the staircase’s frame.
Risers and treads create the ultimate surface area, allowing you to go up and down. High traffic and weight can wear the treads out, and the surface may start to squeak due to moisture damage or it feels squishy when you put your foot on them. That’s a sign of wood rot.
Wood Rot
All types of wood are susceptible to decay, and that includes wood decks. Wood-eating fungi require a high moisture content (around 20 percent) in order to begin growing. The right temperature and oxygen level will accelerate its growth. Since your deck is always exposed to the elements, it may not have adequate time to dry, or your materials have suffered from water damage due to untreated cracks and holes. McKinney deck repairs will determine how much wood needs to be replaced.
What Are The Signs You Have Wood Rot?
- Distinct color patches on material (white, yellow, or purplish hue)
- Flaking paint
- Softened texture: spongy, stringy or webbed with cracks
- Cubical fracture: wood breaking into cube-shaped chunks or crumbling into sawdust
- Wood appears to be shrinking
- Mushrooms sprouting from wood
Plant Growth
It’s very common for grime and dirt to settle on the surface. Although your deck’s overall structure and material appear to be fine, algae growth is still common on surfaces that are exposed to high moisture levels.
While you might not require McKinney deck repair, we highly suggest our professional pressure washing services, during which your local handyman will inspect and clean your deck and perhaps apply a layer of sealant.
What Does Pressure Washing Do?
- Blasts away stubborn stains
- Saves time, so no need for scrubbing
- Clean and sanitary
- Damage prevention
- Prepares surfaces for staining, sealing or painting
- Increases curb appeal
- Keeps you healthy and free from allergies
Backyard Drainage Issues
Your exterior drainage system is supported by trims that include your rain gutters, soffit, fascia and downspouts. McKinney homeowners already know that clogged gutters can highly affect their roof structure, but there is a lot more damage it can cause and nobody wants to deal with costly repairs.
If your exterior drainage isn’t adequately directing stormwater away from your foundation, rainwater could be spilling over and damaging your siding. As the water flows down, excess water will also spill on your deck, leaking all the way underneath.
It’s crucial that you regularly check your concrete footings, especially after heavy rains. See if the soil around your posts has fallen victim to erosion or soil movement as this would compromise your deck’s structural integrity. Pooling water can wash away soil from posts and even crack concrete footings.
Grading and drainage issues need attention from a certified professional before they cause serious damage. That’s when McKinney deck repair services will be the least of your concerns. To avoid expensive repairs in the future, remember to schedule annual inspections and maintenance to help keep repair needs small and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions—McKinney Deck Repair
Are Decks And Porches The Same?
Not quite. A porch is typically integral to your home’s foundation and connects to various parts, such as an extended roofed area that is held by several posts. Porches are often found on a property’s frontside where McKinney homeowners like to add aesthetic appeals like masonry work, fancy arches or crown moldings. While wood material is often found on porches, cement, stone or brick are also common.
On the other hand, decks are not integral to your house foundation, but you have to build a separate one using concrete deck footings. There should be a small gap between your deck footings and house, allowing snowmelt and stormwater to flow past.
How Deep Do Footings Go During Installation?
Footing depth must be a minimum of six inches below the frost line, although the recommended depth is 12 inches. Before installation, your McKinney handyman highly recommends having your soil inspected because ideally, it’s undisturbed soil with no organic matter. But this might be hard to come by due to Texas’ sandy loam and clay soil which tends to move a lot.
Is Vinyl Sensitive To Sunlight?
It is. Heat and direct sunlight can cause your vinyl materials to contract and crack. The best way to prevent sun damage is to install an awning if your deck is exposed to a lot of sunlight.
Is It OK To Decorate My Deck?
Of course! There’s only one thing we recommend for decorations: Refrain from using natural fiber rugs that are biodegradable and hold moisture. If you do, remember that when you clean it, you’ll need to hang it to dry before placing it back on your deck.
Need McKinney Deck Repair? Trust Mr. Handyman!
Let our handyman experts reassure you that you’re in safe hands! Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County has a team of experts that has executed multiple deck repairs in McKinney, including surrounding areas like Allen, Grayson County and Melissa. Whether you’re dealing with wood rot or just a loose board, our courteous professionals are here to help business owners and homeowners in McKinney maintain a safe outdoor space. We can also take care of projects such as deck installation, building a wood fence, and even renovating an outdoor kitchen.
Give us a call at 214-387-3474 to schedule an appointment or speak with one of our friendly customer service representatives to learn more about how we can help improve your deck, porch or patio! We provide fantastic results like those you see below for everything from annual staining or painting to major deck repairs.
