Tis the season for ghosts and goblins, but if your deck has sagging stairs, broken railings, or split, twisted or damaged decking, it might make your place the scariest house on the block.
A happy, busy family can be really rough on a deck. When you’ve had lots of fun on a deck, with lots of foot traffic, kids playing, and the occasional spilled beverage, wear patterns develop and sometimes things get damaged. Pets – especially dogs that love to chew, scratch and dig – can also take their toll on the deck.
As decking contractors, we’re often asked how long a deck should last before it’s time to replace it. While we’d love to have a one size fits all answer, the truth is that there are a lot of factors that determine how long your deck is going to last and whether it should be repaired or rebuilt. These factors include how well the deck was built in the first place, what type of wood or other decking materials were used to build it, how well the deck’s been maintained and how much the deck’s been used.
You want your deck to be safe and attractive. If you’re not sure if your deck is safe, take a moment to consider what it would be like to use your deck if you were a small child – a toddler, perhaps, who would trip over some twisted decking – or as an older person who might have real difficulty climbing up sagging stairs. If everyone in your family and circle of friends can’t use your deck safely, changes need to be made.
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Your deck’s appearance is important as well. If you’re not pleased with your deck’s current appearance, your local deck designer can help you upgrade and improve your home’s look.