The Million Dollar Question: Repair or Replace?

Ok, so maybe not exactly a million-dollar question but deciding whether to spend time and money to repair a deck or invest in a new deck is one that many homeowners face at some point during home ownership. We all know that preventative maintenance is the key to ensuring that our homes remain in good working order and provide safety and security to those that live in them but as we all know, life happens and we delay or simply ignore maintenance schedules until we notice a problem such as a loose deck board a wobbly post and it’s time to react.

Where to Look and What to Look For
Hopefully you are following an annual deck inspection schedule, or maybe you decide to inspect because you’ve noticed a loose board. Either way, there are four areas that you will want to inspect in order to fully inspect all components of your deck.

• DECK SURFACE – the first area of the deck to inspect is the surface of the deck. This includes deck boards, railings and handrailings. Even pressure treated wood that is used for the majority of decks across the country is still subject to natural elements. Moisture can and will rot wood, over time. UV rays from the sun can fade the wood stain which leaves wood fibers more exposed to water damage. The surfaces of your deck will receive the most exposure to water and UV light, therefore it is also the most vulnerable part of the deck and is likely going to need to be repaired or replaced before other deck components.
• DECK POSTS – the deck posts are an integral part of the deck’s substructure and serve to hold the deck surface up off the ground. Typically, deck posts do not receive a lot of UV light because they are mostly shielded by the deck boards. Deck posts also shed water quickly because they are vertical rather than horizontal like deck boards. However, there are two areas of the deck posts that should be inspected regularly for water damage – the based of the post where it rests on the footer as well as the area where the beams are attached to the posts. Both of these areas can accumulate water and thus rot becomes a concern, especially given that posts are an integral piece of the structural integrity of the deck.
• BEAMS & BOARDS – The beams and joists are the horizontal pieces of wood underneath the deck that provide support for each of the deck boards. Beams are larger and run between the joists. Like deck boards, beams and joists typically show the first signs of water damage and rot because water and moisture can collect, pool and become trapped on horizontal surfaces. The joints that the beams and joists create can trap water and the deck screws and fasteners serve as a pathway that allows water to penetrate the wood.  
• FASCIA BOARD -  It is important to not forget the fascia board during your deck inspection. The fascia board is the wide thin board that wraps around the perimeter of the deck and connects to the house. The fascia board is not a structural board but rather is used to give the deck a cohesive look. Unfortunately, the fascia board can often trap water and moisture against the beams that butt up against it. To tell if there is rot, look at the fascia boards around the perimeter of your deck and if you notice discoloration on the deck boards that is a sign to inspect further for possible rot damage.

 
Regular deck inspections are a wonderful habit to get into, however even the most well maintained decks will eventually need some repair and replacement work done. Typically the deck boards are the first to show signs of rot and water damage and will need to be replaced. Many homeowners decide to replace the deck boards with a composite wood decking material such as Trex. Composite decking material is popular because it has the look of real wood but is designed to resist the elements like water and sun better than wood. The best time to inspect the substructure of your deck is when you remove and replace the deck boards. Without the deck boards in place you will be able to see all angles of the substructure and quickly repair any issues or you may find that the substructure is so damaged that it should also be replaced.
 
When Should I Repair or Replace My Deck?
As a general rule, when the costs of deck repairs gets near the cost of building a new deck it may be time to consider replacing the deck rather than extensive repairs. A decking contractor will be able to provide you with a professional inspection of all parts of your deck to help determine the cost effectiveness of repairs verses replacement. If repairs only include deck boards and/or a few posts replacement it typically make sense to do the repairs rather than replace the whole deck. Deck boards and posts are fairly easy and cost effective to replace. However, if the deck beams have suffered water damage and rot has set in then it is best to tear the deck down and start from scratch. Since replacing a deck means replacing large sections of the deck it often makes more financial sense to build a new deck.

​Still confused and unsure about how to proceed? Give our experts here at Cincinnati Deck & Fence a call. One of our professional deck builders will schedule a time to inspect your deck and give you honest advice and feedback about repairs verses replacement.