The Inside Scoop on Deck Repair in Clearwater, FL

Spending time on your deck, enjoying the beautiful weather, barbecuing with friends, and unwinding with a cold drink after a long day is one of the best ways to enjoy Florida's stunning weather. Your deck should be a place of relaxation and peace, However, if your outdoor living space needs extensive repairs, it may turn into a source of stress—and that goes double for deck repairs in Clearwater, FL.

Wear and tear, exposure to the elements and accidents will all damage your outdoor space over time. Changing weather patterns, such as tropical storms in particular, can cause a lot of damage. When that damage is not repaired right away, you can wind up dealing with major issues. Even if you take really good care of your deck with preventative maintenance, the structure will still need deck repairs from time to time.

If you need deck restoration services because your outdoor living area is looking downtrodden—say you've noticed the railing is wobbly or a plank has come loose—call our pro team. Each of our Clearwater handyman experts has years of experience completing a wide range of home repair and maintenance projects. At Mr. Handyman serving Palm Harbor, Clearwater and Largo, we only hire the best technicians and carpenters, so you can have peace of mind that your Clearwater deck repairs are in good hands.

If you're not sure if you need a Clearwater deck repair service, or if you have questions about what kinds of issues indicate your outdoor space needs repairing, we've got you covered. Stop wasting time looking for "deck repair near me," and trust our pro team today. The following blog outlines what red flags to watch for, preventative tips you should know, and why you should choose the team at Mr. Handyman serving Palm Harbor, Clearwater and Largo for your deck repair needs.

Why Mr. Handyman serving Palm Harbor, Clearwater and Largo is the Best Choice

It's impossible to keep your property looking top-notch without routine upkeep. Maintenance prevents your outdoor living area from becoming dilapidated and unsafe for you and your family. Loose boards, wobbly railings and protruding nails could cause injury. And aesthetically, if your deck looks unkempt you probably won't spend a lot of time using it.

Hiring deck services is a great way to offload the stress of making repairs. Many homeowners don't have the time, tools or skills to handle these sorts of improvement jobs on their own. All the more reason to put your trust in our handyman team's skills. Many of our tradesmen are highly skilled carpenters, and we always focus on ensuring we have satisfied customers from start to finish.

We're known throughout Florida for our dedication to quality service and customer satisfaction. It's important to us that you're able to enjoy your deck in comfort and safety, and that the area remains a fun place for you and your family to be. We not only provide a range of deck repairs in Clearwater, FL, but also offer deck installation services and a wide range of other home improvement services to keep your property looking its best all year round. Some additional services we offer include gutter cleaning, fence repair and more.

How Do I Know If I Need Deck Repairs in Clearwater, FL?

Maintenance is essential for preventing damage. Yet, sometimes damage is unavoidable. Pay attention to the signs that your outdoor living space is in trouble. These common types of damage can often feel like they came out of nowhere.

Broken Boards

Wear and tear, changing temperatures, humidity, and wood rot cause decking in Clearwater, FL, to deteriorate as the years go by. When you notice broken boards, it's important to repair them promptly as they can quickly lead to injury—from minor injuries like slivers to something more serious like a foot going through a broken board. Clearwater deck repairs can prevent injury from occurring and keeps your outdoor living space safe for all who use it. Remember to never step on cracked boards. When boards are cracked, it's only a matter of time before they break completely.

Loose Nails and Screws

Popping nails usually indicate that boards, posts and railings are loosening. The main concern here is that a loved one could get hurt while stepping on a loose board or exposed nail—which could lead to infections like Tetanus. Popping nails can easily be hammered back down into the wood. However, if the screws and nails are rusty, and old then you might want to consider hiring our Clearwater deck repair team to replace them entirely.

Wobbly Railings

It only takes one person to lean against a wobbly railing and fall down to cause serious harm, which is why loose railings are a serious safety hazard. If your outdoor structure has wobbly railings, it could be that a screw or nail has come loose. Alternatively, wood rot may be eating away at the lumber. In this case, affected railings will need to be replaced right away. Both these problems can be easily fixed with Clearwater deck repairs.

Crumbling Concrete Footings

Concrete footings support the entire structure, so they need to be in good condition to ensure it's safe for people, pets and furniture to be on. When concrete footings begin to crumble or deteriorate because of age, erosion and water damage, they need to be replaced as soon as possible. If this does not happen, then the entire structure could sink into the ground.

Improper Drainage

You could wind up dealing with a range of issues if your property's grading is compromised due to erosion or landscaping that was not completed correctly. Improper drainage will result in the need for serious deck repairs in Clearwater, FL, because the ground around your outdoor structure will start to erode. This will threaten its structural stability and increase its exposure to water damage.

Wood Rot

Wood rot impacts all types of wood, including treated wood. Since it's more common in humid environments, it is one of the biggest concerns for Clearwater homeowners. Rot tends to spread in moist areas that don't see a lot of sunlight, which makes the areas underneath steps and around footings more likely to rot.

Without treating wood rot right away, it will spread to other parts of your home. This could cause the need for further repairs. If you notice any signs of wood rot, such as soft or discolored wood, call our pro team right away for Clearwater deck repairs. The best way to check for signs of rot is to inspect your property regularly using a screwdriver to probe suspicious looking areas. If the screwdriver sinks into the wood, then you have a rot problem.

Stains, Scratches, Chips and Dents

Regular use and wear and tear leads to staining and light damage, such as scratches and dents. Even though these issues may not seem like a big deal, you should still fix them as soon as possible. Even the smallest issue can become a serious problem if left unattended. Dents and scratches can wreck your stain or paint, which in turn compromises your deck's seal. This increases the risk of water damage, rot and mold.

Usually, sanding, re-sealing and applying new coats of stain is enough to get rid of scratches and dents. If the damage is severe, then the affected boards or planks should be replaced. Also, most stains can be removed with soap and warm water. If the damage is already done, they can also be sanded away and covered with a new coat of paint or stain.

Clearwater Deck Repairs: Preventative Maintenance

Routine maintenance prevents wear and other types of damage. By monitoring and caring for the state of your deck, you can also catch problems quickly and take care of them before they get worse. Read on to discover our pro tips for deck upkeep.

Routine Inspection and Maintenance

At least twice a year, inspect your deck for signs of wear. The best way to spot damage early is through being on the lookout for problems. The best times of year to complete this inspection are before the wet season starts, and once the wet season ends. During these times, you could also set away time to get all your other outdoor maintenance done, including gutter cleaning, pressure washing and patio door repair.

All year round, it's important that you take steps to prevent issues like moisture buildup, wear, and damage from the elements. Some of these steps you can take to prevent these issues include:

  • Fixing damaged stain and paint right away

  • Deck cleaning, including sweeping and power washing

  • Regularly moving deck furniture and planters around

  • Promptly replacing damaged, missing or rotted areas

Seal Regularly

Along with routine maintenance, one of the most important steps you can take to maintain your deck is to refinish it every two to three years. Refinishing involves many steps that our handyman experts can take care of, including:

  1. Sanding the structure down to get rid of old stain/paint and light damage.

  2. Applying a clear, UV protecting sealant to keep water damage, bleaching and wear to a minimum.

  3. Applying a sealant with an appealing stain or a coat of paint to ensure the structure looks great.

There are many benefits of refinishing, including:

  • Adding an attractive sheen

  • Preserving your wood's natural beauty

  • Protecting the structure from moisture damage

  • Preventing wood rot from growing

  • Avoiding sun damage from bleaching wooden structures

Keep it Clean

It's important to clean your deck thoroughly at least twice a year to get rid of dirt, debris and other buildup like lichen and moss. Don't worry, we don't suggest you get down on hands and knees with a sponge and bucket of soapy water. Rather, power washing is by far the best way to clean your deck. Power washing has many benefits. It can prime the entire deck for painting or staining, and is much faster than scrubbing manually. Perhaps one of the best benefits of power washing is that it can utterly transform your outdoor living area without the need for costly renovations.

It's important to note that power washers are very powerful machines, so it's all too easy to damage your property or injure yourself in the process if you don't know how to handle them safely. Homeowners who have never used a power washer should leave this job to the professionals. Let the pros at Mr. Handyman serving Palm Harbor, Clearwater and Largo take care of it for you. We'll get your deck boards, planks, panels and posts looking good-as-new in no time. We can also power wash other exterior surfaces, such as siding and driveways.

Benefits of Power Washing:

  • Clean other areas, such as fences and siding

  • Prevent health issues from mold and mildew

  • Improve your property's curb appeal

  • Prevent repairs by getting rid of debris and buildup

  • Prime surfaces for painting or staining

Hire Your Local Clearwater Deck Repair Experts Today!

If you think it's time for deck repairs in Clearwater, FL, because your outdoor living space is looking worse for wear, then put your trust in the experts at Mr. Handyman serving Palm Harbor, Clearwater and Largo. We can provide a range of deck repairs, as well as refinishing, installation and any other improvement tasks you need done at your Clearwater property. Each of our service professionals are highly experienced and are proud to serve customers throughout the Clearwater area, including in St. Petersburg and Indian Shores, with their home improvement needs.

Give us a call at 727-888-2742 to book an appointment with one of our highly skilled Clearwater handyman team members today. We look forward to helping with your future home improvement needs!

A patio deck before and after it has been refinished and repaired by Mr. Handyman.