The Latest

Deck Repair 101: Everything You Need to Know

Karl Samuel Smith
February 10, 2022
deck repair

A deck, porch, or patio can be a relaxing place to be.  It is a place to relax, have gatherings, and much more.  But without the proper care, your deck can become a safety hazard.  A damaged deck can also make your house not look as good.  To help make your home safer, as well as boost your curb appeal, I’ll be going over deck repair tips to help get your deck looking new again.  Let’s get started.

How to Tell If Your Deck Needs to Be Repaired

The first step to repairing a deck is to know if it needs to be fixed.  If your deck is still in good shape, there is no need for repairing your deck.  It is very easy to find out if your deck needs repaired or not.  Make sure you inspect your whole deck for damages.  Signs your deck needs repaired include if it is rotted, broken, loose, stained, or moldy.  Here are some tips for finding out if your deck needs repair.

Stains and Blemishes

Stains and blemishes develop due to everyday use.  While stains and blemishes may not seem like a problem, it can cause the paint on your deck to be removed, which can lead to rotting.  Stains and blemishes do not look good either.  Small stains can be removed with a simple solution of water and mild detergent.  Other stains can be removed by rubbing lightly with mineral solvents and a soft brush.  Remember to rinse your deck after using detergents so that it doesn’t damage your deck more.

Broken Boards

A common reason for deck repair is because of broken boards.  Boards can become damaged because of people constantly walking on it, as well as rot.  You can easily find out if your boards are broken by checking for splits in the wood, as these pieces will break soon if pressure continues to be applied.  If you notice any broken boards, you should replace them right away to prevent further damage and injuries.

Dry Rot

Dry rot occurs when moisture comes in contact with the wood.  Signs of dry rot include shrinking boards with dark stains, fungal growth, and a damp, musty odor.  It is common for untreated boards to get dry rot because they are not protected by any sealant.  If you have any boards that do not have a sealant on them, now is a great time to add some paint or stain to them.

Loose Nails and Screws

Loose nails and screws can result in injuries if you tripped on them.  They can also cause boards to fall off.  If you notice any loose nails, either replace them with new ones or pound them back in. If the nails look rusty, it is best to replace them with new ones.

deck repair, deck replacement cost, deck repair cost, deck replacement, rebuilding a deck, cost to rebuild a deck, how much to replace a deck, when to replace deck boards, cost to replace deck boards, redo deck, wood deck repair, how to redo a deck for cheap, wood deck replacement, how to rebuild a deck, how much does it cost to replace a deck, how to replace a deck, repair deck boards, replacing deck boards, how much does it cost to repair deck, wood deck repair cost, sundeck repair, cost of repairing a deck, how much does it cost to repair a deck, replacing deck boards with composite, when to replace a deck, how much to rebuild a deck, repair or replace deck, deck refurbishing cost, how to rebuild a patio deck, cost to replace deck footings, deck replacement options, cost to repair deck boards, restore old deck, deck renovation cost, how to replace deck boards, deck inspection cost, replacing an existing deck, replacing deck support posts, when to replace deck joists, how to fix decking, fixing a deck, deck repair, how to repair a deck, diy deck repair, deck repair tips, deck repair near me, patio repair, deck repair service, handyman deck repair, deck repair contractors near me, deck restoration near me, wood patio repair, patio deck repair, patio repair near me, deck repair companies, porch repair contractors, deck repair contractors, porch repair contractors near me, wood deck repair near me, fix my deck, deck replacement contractor, patio repair companies, porch repair near me, deck restoration companies near me, deck fixing, deck upgrades, deck replacement ideas, wood balcony repair, how to fix deck railing, deck cleaning tips, construction st joseph mo

How to Repair Your Deck

How to repair a deck depends on how and where your deck is damaged.  If you plan on rebuilding a deck, there are a lot more steps than if you have to replace a few boards.  Here are the steps to repairing a deck.

How to Fix the Joists

Remove Nails or Screws

Start by removing the nails or screws.  To remove the nails or screws from the damaged decking board, you’ll need to use a pry bar, screwdriver or drill.  You can save the nails if they’re good, or you can replace them.  If they are rusty, bent, or broken, you should replace them with new screws.

Check and Fix the Joists

Next, inspect the joists underneath for signs of rotted wood.  Use a hammer and chisel to remove any rotted portions of joists.  Repair joists that have soft, discolored areas with rotted wood putty.  After repairing the joist, apply a thick coat of clear sealer to the damaged joist.  Let it dry, and then apply a second coat of sealer.

Reinforce the Joists

Treat all sides of the reinforcing joist with a clear sealer and let it dry.  Position the reinforcing joist tightly against the damaged joist, and attach it with galvanized nails or screws driven every two feet.

Clean the Other Deck Boards

If you are replacing all of your deck boards, you can skip this step.  But if you only fixed a couple boards, you’ll want to clean the surrounding boards.  Clean it with a detergent, and then rinse it.  Now is a great time to see if any other boards need to be replaced.  Add stain to all the boards, including the old and new ones.

Add on the Boards

Once you have fixed the joist, you can add on the boards.  As I’ve already mentioned, only use nails or screws that are in good shape.  Do not attempt to use old nails that are rusty, bent, or broken.  After you put on the new wood boards, you are done!

deck repair, deck replacement cost, deck repair cost, deck replacement, rebuilding a deck, cost to rebuild a deck, how much to replace a deck, when to replace deck boards, cost to replace deck boards, redo deck, wood deck repair, how to redo a deck for cheap, wood deck replacement, how to rebuild a deck, how much does it cost to replace a deck, how to replace a deck, repair deck boards, replacing deck boards, how much does it cost to repair deck, wood deck repair cost, sundeck repair, cost of repairing a deck, how much does it cost to repair a deck, replacing deck boards with composite, when to replace a deck, how much to rebuild a deck, repair or replace deck, deck refurbishing cost, how to rebuild a patio deck, cost to replace deck footings, deck replacement options, cost to repair deck boards, restore old deck, deck renovation cost, how to replace deck boards, deck inspection cost, replacing an existing deck, replacing deck support posts, when to replace deck joists, how to fix decking, fixing a deck, deck repair, how to repair a deck, diy deck repair, deck repair tips, deck repair near me, patio repair, deck repair service, handyman deck repair, deck repair contractors near me, deck restoration near me, wood patio repair, patio deck repair, patio repair near me, deck repair companies, porch repair contractors, deck repair contractors, porch repair contractors near me, wood deck repair near me, fix my deck, deck replacement contractor, patio repair companies, porch repair near me, deck restoration companies near me, deck fixing, deck upgrades, deck replacement ideas, wood balcony repair, how to fix deck railing, deck cleaning tips, construction st joseph mo

How to Replace Broken Boards

Cut the Board

You usually don’t have to replace an entire board in deck repair work unless the entire board is damaged.  If only a section of the board is damaged, cut off that part of it with a jigsaw.  Be careful to make clean cuts.  Pull out any nails that you need to with a pry bar.

Add Cleats to Support the Board

Pre-drill three holes in two 16-inch treated wood cleats so they pull tight to the joists.  Apply construction adhesive, hold each cleat tight to neighboring deck boards, and screw one to the joists at each end of the deck repair.

Add the New Board

Cut the new board so that it fits into the gap where the old board used to be.  Make sure it is the same type of wood so that it matches your other deck boards.  If you want everything to match, stain or paint your entire deck.

deck repair, deck replacement cost, deck repair cost, deck replacement, rebuilding a deck, cost to rebuild a deck, how much to replace a deck, when to replace deck boards, cost to replace deck boards, redo deck, wood deck repair, how to redo a deck for cheap, wood deck replacement, how to rebuild a deck, how much does it cost to replace a deck, how to replace a deck, repair deck boards, replacing deck boards, how much does it cost to repair deck, wood deck repair cost, sundeck repair, cost of repairing a deck, how much does it cost to repair a deck, replacing deck boards with composite, when to replace a deck, how much to rebuild a deck, repair or replace deck, deck refurbishing cost, how to rebuild a patio deck, cost to replace deck footings, deck replacement options, cost to repair deck boards, restore old deck, deck renovation cost, how to replace deck boards, deck inspection cost, replacing an existing deck, replacing deck support posts, when to replace deck joists, how to fix decking, fixing a deck, deck repair, how to repair a deck, diy deck repair, deck repair tips, deck repair near me, patio repair, deck repair service, handyman deck repair, deck repair contractors near me, deck restoration near me, wood patio repair, patio deck repair, patio repair near me, deck repair companies, porch repair contractors, deck repair contractors, porch repair contractors near me, wood deck repair near me, fix my deck, deck replacement contractor, patio repair companies, porch repair near me, deck restoration companies near me, deck fixing, deck upgrades, deck replacement ideas, wood balcony repair, how to fix deck railing, deck cleaning tips, construction st joseph mo

How to Replace a Deck

If you’re wondering how to replace a deck, you should first know that replacing a deck doesn’t mean you have to tear down your entire deck.  Sometimes all you have to do is replace the railing and floorboards.  Here is how to replace a deck.

Remove Old Decking

Unscrew all of the old board on your deck.  If the boards are nailed onto your deck, cut the boards with a saw and then pull them off.

Inspect the Joists

Now that the frame is exposed, now is the perfect time to check the joists to make sure they are in good shape.  Replace any of the joists if needed.  Follow the instructions I gave earlier on how to fix your deck joists.

Add New Boards

Measure the width of the deck and cut the first deck board to this measurement. Because the fascia boards and railing are not being removed, it is important to take exact measurements for cutting the deck boards so that they fit together perfectly.  Lay the first board parallel with the outside fascia board and screw the board with two 2 1/2-inch deck screws to each joist that it overlaps.  Predrill holes at the ends of the boards prior to screwing them down to avoid splitting the ends. Lay the second board down next to the first, and then continue adding boards until you are done.

deck repair, deck replacement cost, deck repair cost, deck replacement, rebuilding a deck, cost to rebuild a deck, how much to replace a deck, when to replace deck boards, cost to replace deck boards, redo deck, wood deck repair, how to redo a deck for cheap, wood deck replacement, how to rebuild a deck, how much does it cost to replace a deck, how to replace a deck, repair deck boards, replacing deck boards, how much does it cost to repair deck, wood deck repair cost, sundeck repair, cost of repairing a deck, how much does it cost to repair a deck, replacing deck boards with composite, when to replace a deck, how much to rebuild a deck, repair or replace deck, deck refurbishing cost, how to rebuild a patio deck, cost to replace deck footings, deck replacement options, cost to repair deck boards, restore old deck, deck renovation cost, how to replace deck boards, deck inspection cost, replacing an existing deck, replacing deck support posts, when to replace deck joists, how to fix decking, fixing a deck, deck repair, how to repair a deck, diy deck repair, deck repair tips, deck repair near me, patio repair, deck repair service, handyman deck repair, deck repair contractors near me, deck restoration near me, wood patio repair, patio deck repair, patio repair near me, deck repair companies, porch repair contractors, deck repair contractors, porch repair contractors near me, wood deck repair near me, fix my deck, deck replacement contractor, patio repair companies, porch repair near me, deck restoration companies near me, deck fixing, deck upgrades, deck replacement ideas, wood balcony repair, how to fix deck railing, deck cleaning tips, construction st joseph mo

Deck Repair Tips

Inspect Your Deck Regularly

To prevent major damage on your deck, inspect it regularly.  Check for nails that are sticking up, paint that is chipping, and boards that are rotting.  If you notice anything wrong with your deck, be sure to fix it right away before it gets any worse.

Regularly Clean Your Deck

Every once in a while, clean your deck with a mild detergent and water.  Scrub the deck so that all dirt comes off, and then rinse it thoroughly.  Remember to clean your deck before you repaint it.  That way there won’t be dirt under the paint and your deck will look better.

Paint Your Deck Every Other Year

Every other year, repaint or stain your deck so that the wood always stays protected from the weather.  If you are using an oil-based semitransparent stain, you may be able to go three to four years before you need to re-stain it.

deck repair, deck replacement cost, deck repair cost, deck replacement, rebuilding a deck, cost to rebuild a deck, how much to replace a deck, when to replace deck boards, cost to replace deck boards, redo deck, wood deck repair, how to redo a deck for cheap, wood deck replacement, how to rebuild a deck, how much does it cost to replace a deck, how to replace a deck, repair deck boards, replacing deck boards, how much does it cost to repair deck, wood deck repair cost, sundeck repair, cost of repairing a deck, how much does it cost to repair a deck, replacing deck boards with composite, when to replace a deck, how much to rebuild a deck, repair or replace deck, deck refurbishing cost, how to rebuild a patio deck, cost to replace deck footings, deck replacement options, cost to repair deck boards, restore old deck, deck renovation cost, how to replace deck boards, deck inspection cost, replacing an existing deck, replacing deck support posts, when to replace deck joists, how to fix decking, fixing a deck, deck repair, how to repair a deck, diy deck repair, deck repair tips, deck repair near me, patio repair, deck repair service, handyman deck repair, deck repair contractors near me, deck restoration near me, wood patio repair, patio deck repair, patio repair near me, deck repair companies, porch repair contractors, deck repair contractors, porch repair contractors near me, wood deck repair near me, fix my deck, deck replacement contractor, patio repair companies, porch repair near me, deck restoration companies near me, deck fixing, deck upgrades, deck replacement ideas, wood balcony repair, how to fix deck railing, deck cleaning tips, construction st joseph mo

Final Thoughts

Repairing a deck is fairly easy when you do it properly.  You should be able to easily find out if your deck needs repaired.  Signs that your deck needs repaired include stains and blemishes, broken pieces, loose nails, and rotting.  Other minor issues include chipping paint and loose boards.  Whatever problem your deck has, it is easy to repair a deck.  Today, I went over the instructions for repairing joists, replacing broken boards, and replacing a deck.  Replacing a deck doesn’t mean that you have to replace your entire deck.  All this means is replacing the wood boards.

Make sure to inspect your deck regularly to find out if it needs to be repaired or replaced.  You should also clean your deck regularly.  To clean your deck, all you need to use is detergent, water, and something to scrub the deck with.  Remember to rinse your deck after cleaning it.  I hope this article has answered all your questions when it comes to deck repair.  Hopefully, now you will be able to repair your deck so it is back in good shape.  Your hard work will definitely be worth it.

Karl Samuel Smith
I'm Karl, a passionate outdoor enthusiast who thrives on gardening and all things backyard. My journey started in my grandparents' garden, and I've since grown to love hiking, camping, and wildlife observation. As a writer for "Everything Backyard," I share my knowledge and passion for gardening and outdoor living. My life revolves around nurturing my garden, exploring the outdoors, and making cherished family memories in our backyard haven.
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts