Property owners in Belleville, Illinois who see their decks deteriorating need to contact an expert as soon as possible. Professionals are trained in helping repair and strengthen various components before replacing them entirely.
If moisture is trapped in beams and joists, they can rot. This could happen when they are attached to another wooden structure or where screws are used.
Damaged Decking
If your deck has been experiencing water or moisture leakage, as well as signs of wood rot or decay, this could indicate damage. It is important to act quickly in order to ensure your safety and the safety of those who use your deck.
If the damage is limited, you can usually repair it yourself; however, if the rot is extensive you may require replacing the entire deck.
No matter the task at hand – staining or otherwise – use only products suitable to your situation and consult a professional handyman if uncertain about which to choose. Call an estimator for accurate advice as well as help in the form of repairs if required.
Additionally, inspect the posts connecting your deck to your house. Each post`s base should be checked for signs of rot, such as soft or mushy spots at the base; and loose or missing screws or nails.
Damaged Railings
Deck railings, whether made of wood or vinyl, serve two primary functions. First, they create a safe perimeter around your porch or deck and secondly they prevent people from falling off stairs or decks and becoming injured or dead.
Railings should be inspected for any signs of damage, including cracking and rotting.
Cracked railings pose the risk of injury to anyone nearby; while rotted ones allow water to seep into their material and foster mold growth.
Contact a professional for help repairing damaged railings. A reputable contractor will have all of the tools and knowledge needed to make sure you remain safe while passing inspection.
Damaged Stairs
Stairs can be one of the most dangerous features in any home or business. A fall can result in devastating physical injuries as well as emotional trauma.
It`s important to inspect your stairs regularly in order to prevent accidents. Doing this will allow you to identify problems that require repair while also taking measures to lower the likelihood of falls.
Broken, wobbly or rotted stairs are an immense danger if left unaddressed; but with the proper tools and knowledge they can be repaired on your own.
An adequate inspection should reveal key components of the staircase, such as its carriage stringer (which supports it at its center), closed or open stringers, treads, risers and undersides of treads and risers.
Rotted Spots
In addition to checking for rotted wooden decks, you should also inspect the posts, railings, and other structural components that hold your deck together. Watch out for any cracks that could compromise the safety of family members and guests.
Graf suggests using a screwdriver for inspection of posts that are in contact with the ground, such as posts that touch foundations or even the foundation itself. If the tip of the screwdriver can penetrate any part of a post or joist and sinks in it indicates there`s damage which needs repair – likely in terms of rot.
Check for dry rot where the posts meet the soil. Moisture can collect and form dark or gray patches, and wetness will cause wood to flake off, feel spongy, or even flake off completely. This type of decay may indicate serious wood decay, which could compromise your deck structure and home`s foundations.