If you’re the owner of a Montgomery County deck, it’s vital that you consistently maintain the health of your deck. Over time, the wear-and-tear of foot traffic, grilling, and the harsh Northeast weather could lead to some issues. The best way to keep your deck healthy and functional is to keep an eye out for common issues and address them in a prompt manner, before too many issues accumulate and require a rebuild. Here are a few of the most common problems you should watch for:
- Broken boards – Sometimes, one unsightly broken board can throw off the look of the rest of your deck. A broken board may not harm the actual structure of your deck, but they should still be addressed quickly. To do so, the broken board needs to be removed and replaced with a fresh one.
- Wobbly posts and railings – Posts and railings may become loose and wobbly over time. Fortunately, these can be fixed with a couple of bolts. To determine the size you need, measure the thickness of the posts, add an additional inch and then buy ½ inch diameter galvanized carriage bolts of that size. Then drill your clearance holes (one 1-1.5 inches from the top of the framing and one 1-1.5 inches from the bottom of the post), and drive in the bolts.
- Bouncy decks – If you noticed that your deck bounces when you walk across it, you may feel your deck is unsafe (though this may not always be the case). This is usually the result of long joist spans between the beams. You can make your deck feel more solid and secure again by getting under your deck and installing treated lumber blocking between the joists, every 3-4 feet.
- Loose nails – As the deck swells and shrinks with rainfall, nails can loosen and pop up. The best way to deal with this common issue is to remove the nails and replace them with deck screws.
A Montgomery County deck is a luxury. It provides you with countless summer days of entertainment and bonding with family and friends. But this luxury also requires responsibility. Consistently checking for and addressing these common deck issues will help prolong the life of your deck, and help you avoid costly rebuilding projects.
Contact Paul Construction for Backyard Construction Needs
Whether you’re the owner of a deck and are looking to renovate, or you’re looking to build your backyard living space from the ground up, Paul Construction can help. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation. We look forward to working with you!