Lots of wood rot means a deck likely needs replacement. If you’re wondering how to redo a deck for cheap, be aware that the costs of repairing individual features may add up to more than a brand-new deck would cost. Generally, if more than one area is showing signs of damage, you may need to start looking into the cost to rebuild a deck. Other areas to inspect include fascia board, posts, flashing, railing, and the deck’s surface. The sooner you catch problems with these pieces, the better:It’s easy for a deck repair pro to fix this area if the problems are relatively new and the deck material isn’t compromised. The beams and joists beneath a deck act as the support system and are susceptible to water damage over time. ![]() Ledger boards can be repaired, but if rot from the ledger board has spread to more of the deck or the stability of the deck has become compromised, the deck might warrant replacement.Īnother important place to check is under the deck. If this piece is significantly rotted or damaged, it could result in the deck collapsing. Looking at the ledger board is a good place to start this is the long, pressure-treated board that attaches to your home. To know the exact details on board spacing, you can refer to the manufacturer’s installation guides or talk to them directly for help and advice on the recommended spacing of their composite decking boards.Photo: Inspect the main areas of the deck to check how they’re holding up.īefore you go into DIY mode or call up a local deck repair person, it helps to do an inspection of your deck to see the extent of its issues. ![]() The amount of spacing needed depends on the materials being used. The boards can lift away from the subframe, making the decking uneven underfoot, which can lead to accidents. If you install the boards too close to each other, the boards may swell and create friction. You will also need to consider proper decking board spacing. For both composites and wood, you would need to air-dry them first so that they will return to their original size before installation. As previously mentioned, while they swell, they are resistant to warping, especially capped composites.ĭuring the installation, there are also things that you can do to minimise the damage done by swelling. However, if you are using composite decking boards to build decking, you do not need to do anything to the boards. You will need to re-apply sealants every few years since the sealant wears off over time. Doing so will save you time, money and materials.įor wood, you will need to purchase a sealant to prevent moisture from entering the boards. However, there are many ways to prevent this problem from occurring. If that is the case, the only way to fix it is to remove the boards and replace them with new ones. As mentioned, there is little you can do to fix boards that are too affected by the swelling. Swelling is a huge problem for decking owners. You may also need to re-attach some nails or screws that became loose due to the movement of the boards. They will return to their original size eventually. As for composites, some of them are resistant to warping and bending. The best thing to do is to replace them with new boards. However, there is not much you can do if wooden decking boards are warped beyond repair. ![]() Moisture will leave the boards and will return to their original size. The only way to fix swollen wood or composite boards is by air-drying them. For best results, you may want to use capped composite decking boards for extra protection. Others may absorb twice or thrice that amount. The best composites are capped or shielded co-extrusion decking boards that will absorb less than 1% of moisture, even when submerged in water for a month. However, you should remember that not all composites are the same. So to summarise, using composite decking is an excellent choice if you are planning to build decking and are concerned about swelling. Given their method of production, any swelling experienced with composite decking boards is generally uninformed along the length of the boards. But that does not mean that they do not expand.Ĭomposite decking boards contain wood fibres mixed with recycled plastics during their production. Because of their construction, they are more resistant to swelling. However, the amount of moisture they absorb compared to wooden decking boards is considerably less. How about composite decking boards? Do they become swollen?Ĭomposites or, more accurately, wood plastic composites (WPC) do swell. ![]() As previously mentioned, wooden decking boards are the most prone to constant expansion and contraction.
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