Deck Repair You Can Do Yourself
Our Douglasville paint and construction company does deck repair for our customers in the greater Atlanta area. Decks are favorite gathering areas but they are also exposed to the elements 365 days a year and can develop problems that you simply can’t ignore.
We’d like to pass on some tips to fix common deck problems that may seem like they need professional attention but are easily remedied by the homeowner with moderate skill and a few power tools.
The Bouncy Deck
When you Vinings deck puts a bounce in your step when you would prefer a solid surface instead, you need stiffen it up to give you the confidence in its safety. Usually this problem occurs because of long joist spans between beams. The surefire solution is to add another beam and posts but that’s a major task.
There is another way that involves some time but is fairly easy to accomplish. You can add blocks of solid wood between spans. Start with the centerline of the deck and measure the space between each joist. Using the same size wood as the joists, cut “blocks” equal to each of the distances so they will fit snugly. Ideally they will be so snug you will need a hammer to tap them in. When you have the first row installed check the deck for bounce. If there is still a problem add a second row of blocks on the side of the centerline that is still not solid feeling.
Nails ‘a Popping
When you scrape your bare foot on the deck of your Smyrna home on a nail that has popped up you will most likely scan the rest of the deck for other offenders. Wood decks swell and contract in our Atlanta climate and nails will work their way to the surface. The easy solution to this problem is to hammer the nail back down but it’s only a temporary fix. Naples SEO
What you want to do is pull that nail and replace it with a deck screw. The trick to removing a nail is to do it without damaging the deck. Always us a shim or other blocking piece when using a cat’s or hammer claw. You can send a deck screw directly down the hole of the removed nail. If the head of the nail breaks off while trying to remove it, send the deck screw just adjacent to the nail and the screw head will cover the nail hole.
When and How to Stain
If your deck has some years on it it also has some dirt, grease, grit and grime and is in need of a new stain job to improve its appearance and also to protect it from additional damage from UV rays. The first step is to clean the surface and the fastest and most effective way to do that is with a power washer. If you don’t rent one then you are looking at some hard physical labor cleaning those old boards.
Once the deck is clean select a semitransparent stain to apply. This will provide the best UV protection. Spraying and brushing are the preferred method of application over rolling which pushes the stain through the cracks and onto the dirt below.
Remember stain is not paint. Stain is absorbed by the wood and becomes part of its makeup. A properly stained deck will be beautiful and offer you tears of protection from the climate.
If you have any questions on deck repair feel free to contact us and we will be happy to offer our opinion.