Adding a deck to your home can have multiple benefits and is a great way to enhance the overall value of your home. Not only does this extension improve the aesthetics of your house, giving it an elegant and stylish appearance that massively adds to the curb appeal – but it also provides an additional hosting area when having friends and family over which can be a great help when working with limited space.
It’s worth noting, however, that you can only enjoy the benefits that residential decks have to offer if the area is kept in good condition to ensure functionality. A shoddy decking space not only offers minimal to no benefits but can represent a hazardous area for residents with a large potential for accidents. The upkeep of your deck is a crucial aspect that should never be ignored and one should always make a point of hiring a Deck Repair specialist to keep the fixture in tip-top shape. In worst-case scenarios, you might have to replace the entire structure.
Some signs that you need to replace your deck include:
Visible Damage
The most obvious sign that you need to replace your extension is when the area is falling to pieces. If you have major sections that are covered in splinters, cracks, or holes through the floor then ripping the whole surface up and starting afresh is the best means of addressing such a situation. In such cases, working on specific areas might cost more and take more time than tearing the whole area up and replacing the entire decking space. It’s worth noting that replacing your deck will allow you to buy the material you need in bulk, which can be more cost-effective than buying planks to handle different sectors.
Rotting Wood
If a major part of your deck is suffering from wood rot, most Deck Repair specialists will recommend replacing the entire surface to be on the safe side. Rot is a major issue and tends to spread rapidly in a short space of time. If you don’t catch this problem during the early stages it will likely take over the entire deck before you know it. Some of the common signs you can look out for when looking to identify wood rot include dark patches of timber compared to their natural color, a cracked appearance that will crumble when contacted, a spongy/soft texture in some areas, and the emergence of fungus in some sectors. The presence of a musty or somewhat damp odor can also be a sign of wet rot. Failure to deal with rot can be hazardous to one’s health and should be addressed immediately.
An Aging Structure
If your deck is getting on in the years it might be time for a replacement. Depending on the type of wood involved, a deck can last between 10 to 15 years with proper care and maintenance. If your extension has passed this milestone by a significant number, waiting for the structure to crumble isn’t an advisable strategy. Taking initiative can be a good way to avoid potential accidents and ensure you have a stable extension. It should also be noted that some decks might not even last 10 to 15 years if it hasn’t been properly maintained.
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