A preventive maintenance schedule is an unforgiving taskmaster anywhere, whether you are responsible for roof replacement or fighter jets. Preventive maintenance is responsible for minimizing issues. It’s such a powerful force for good, however some homeowners still don’t have a preventive maintenance plan.
Today, Home Pro Exteriors details why your deck also needs some attention every now and then and when to replace it.
First Things First
You don’t have to tear it all down and start over if your existing deck is old, shabby and a maintenance nightmare. The structural parts are still likely to be in good shape. If so, you can simply restructure it with new decking, rails and stairs that match your siding and save tons of money on the cost of a complete reconstruction.
Before deciding to reuse the deck framework, check whether the deck bases, posts and joists are structurally sound. Start by examining the footings from the ground up. You have probably noticed that your deck footings have “heaved” above grade because the deck appears to be warped (sometimes only in winter). It’s a sign of too-shallow bases. If so, substitute deeper ones for them.
When to Replace
However, when repair costs begin to approach the cost of replacing the whole deck, you should consider replacing the whole thing. The same applies to roof repair and all other parts of your home that need to be fixed. Even structurally sound decking materials are still old and in just a few years you may have to replace them anyway.
The trick is to figure out where to draw the line. Something like a single rotten post is a pain to replace, with the surrounding beams having to be braced with temporary supports while the post is swapped out with a new one but the cost of a new deck is hardly justified.
However, the exception is if your posts are buried in the ground instead of resting on footers. This is an older practice, and it has a serious drawback while still being used at times. Buried posts tend to rot below ground level, shortening their life span.
If you’re a resident of Middletown, NY considering a home improvement project, look no further than Home Pro Exteriors. We only use top-tier materials to ensure that your project will last for years to come. Call your deck experts today at (845) 747-0035 to request an estimate.
