Need Deck Repair? West Palm Beach Homeowners Learn The Signs and Get Ready For The Summer

It may not seem all that obvious when your favorite outdoor space is in need of maintenance and repairs if it looks fine despite a harsh rainy season. It may take a few squeaky boards or signs of corrosion to make you raise an eyebrow. While your deck is still capable of holding your 20-pound gas grill and other pieces of furniture, that doesn’t mean it will continue to do so for another two seasons—not without maintenance and minor repairs. You also don’t want to rule out other unforeseen weather conditions that could wreak havoc on your property. 

Living on the coast is a perk if you’re a dedicated outdoor person who spends half the day outside. Any exterior structures and materials that you regularly use on your property should get periodic attention to ensure they’re safe to use. Whether for deck inspection or deck repair, West Palm Beach homeowners should check for warning signs like rotting or loose boards, loose railings and unstable deck posts and footings before and after off seasons and rough weather. If you take your beloved vehicle to the washing center every other week, keep in mind that your decking system requires similar attention. Coastal towns deal with a lot of salt particles in the air. It may be good for your thyroid function but not for outdoor structures on your property. 

You don’t remember the last time you took serious care of your outdoor living space? Let’s start with some deck repair! The West Palm Beach handyman services available from Mr. Handyman serving South Palm Beach are designed to help you maintain your property and enhance safety and comfort. Our licensed team of service professionals brings an average of ten years of experience in indoor and outdoor repairs and seasonal maintenance, designed to eliminate early signs of wear and tear and help prolong the lifespan of your home’s materials. 

As a locally-owned business, building a strong connection with our local community is our top priority. The positive feedback we get from happy customers encourages us to always go above and beyond with our services and customer care.

Deck Types and Characteristics

When West Palm Beach homeowners need new decking, they likely opt for the easiest option in obtaining the materials from the local hardware store. There is nothing wrong with pressure-treated wood, except that every wood type requires some form of maintenance—some more than others. When reading the following list of material types, note down their characteristics and periodic needs, as there are many alternatives to pressure-treated wood that may serve you better in the long run.

Pressure-Treated Wood

The hardware store is probably just down the road, and you want something fast, long-lasting and cost-effective. Pressure-treated wood comes pre-finished and is ready for immediate installation. It may not be rocket science for you to install it yourself, but it feels good to know that the wood material has been injected with preservatives and other chemicals, making it moisture and bug-resistant. 

That being said, it’s important to know that the finish or paint will wear off in less than two years, requiring you to stain or seal it every other year to keep it in shape. Moreover, it needs cleaning at least once or twice a year to wash off all that nasty salt that would otherwise find its way through cracks and start to crystallize. This will cause your deck boards’ interior to splinter and break. Despite Florida’s sunshine, rain and humidity, pressure-treated wood could still last between 25 and 40 years with periodic West Palm Beach deck repair and maintenance services.

Cedar

Florida has the popular southern red cedar which is very hardy and tolerant to salt, so natural wood lovers may choose cedar for its durability and pleasant scent. It can even get away without staining, but your handyman in West Palm Beach still recommends staining if you want its natural colors to stay for years to come. Maintenance like cleaning and sanding is also recommended to slow down the deterioration process.

Overall, cedar is versatile, environmentally friendly and naturally moisture-resistant. Its aromatic smells contain allelochemicals that deter most bugs. But if you fear termites, they will still eat it. Preventative maintenance is key to stopping problems like that! When you take good care of your cedar deck, repair needs can be pushed further into the future, and the material will last you about 20 years.

Red Wood

You will primarily find redwoods in the Northern Hemisphere, near the coast from California through southern Oregon. But if you love the early 1980s vibe, nothing will stop you from importing redwood to West Palm Beach. Redwood is popular for its earthy appearance. It contains natural oils and tannins that function as a bug deterrent. Unfortunately, deck repairs on redwood materials are common because they are prone to cosmetic damage, marking their only drawback. Some external forces could easily cause dents and dings, from minor to extreme damage. Taking West Palm Beach’s weather conditions into account, is the maintenance worth it? Redwoods are sensitive to most metal materials and only correspond well with copper screws, fasteners and other fittings during installation.

Composite

Here’s an alternative we have been recommending to West Palm Beach property owners: composite decks. Composite is made of a blend of wood fibers and plastic film which gives this material resilience and enhanced weather-resistant qualities. 

Although composite has a higher price tag than other types, you have to take into account what your deck is primarily used for. Do you need the structure to handle lots of traffic and carry the weight of over twenty tables and chairs?

Homeowners that opt for composite praise its minimum need for maintenance. It’s rot-proof and saves you time and money in the long run. Unlike many other decking types, it can last up to 30 years with only minor deck repairs. West Palm Beach residents with composite will, however, still benefit from small sanding and sealing services.

When Do You Need Deck Repair, West Palm Beach?

When we refer to your outdoor living space, do you cringe when you hear the terms “UV rays” and “salt water?” Our sun has the ability to dry out wood and lead its natural shine to quickly fade, whereas salt stains that settle on timber will wait for an opportunity to access the interior. Even the smallest crack could invite unwanted salt particles to intrude and crystallize. This way, wood fibers will break and damage your structure from the inside out. Here is a list of common signs that call for deck repair. West Palm Beach homeowners should use this as a guide to take necessary precautions.

Rotted Wood

• Discolored patches on the material: Typically, white, yellow, or purplish hue
• Flaky paint: Wood is crumbly underneath paint
• Softened texture: Spongy, stringy or webbed with cracks
• Cubical fracture: Timber breaking into cube-shaped chunks or crumbling into sawdust
• The material appears to be shrinking
• Mushrooms sprouting from wood

Wobbly Railing

If your deck level is high, you likely have railings and railing posts for security. It only takes seconds to give them a rough shake to check for stability. Additionally, check how tight the bolts and screws are and whether they have corroded and need replacing. And ensure the railing posts are safely attached to the decking.

Broken Stairs

The stairs connecting to your deck should have a safe frame that forms the corresponding structural support. Check if the stringers and angled brackets are made of durable, non-corrosive metals. If not, quickly exchange them, as they would otherwise compromise the frame's structure. Risers and treads create the surface area, allowing you to safely step up and down. Over time, the excess amount of traffic and weight will wear out your stairs and those surfaces may start to squeak due to moisture damage, or it no longer feels solid when putting weight on it. Just like the rest of your decking system, stairs also require staining, sealing and replacing of deck boards.

Salt Stains and Other Substances

While salt is extremely corrosive to metals, it sucks out moisture from wooden materials too, leaving them to dry, fade and eventually corrode as well. Besides salt, dirt and grime build up over time—even faster if you have stained house siding or clogged gutters. You may not only need West Palm Beach deck repair, but other exterior handyman services to help you keep up with preventative maintenance. Your expert handyman in West Palm Beach recommends annual power or pressure washing to make some of that exterior maintenance easy. 

Benefits of Pressure Washing:

• Removes stubborn stains and other buildup
• No need to scrub for endless hours
• It’s clean and sanitary
• It prevents future damage
• Prepares surfaces for staining, sealing or painting
• Boosts your home value
• Keeps you and your family healthy

Inefficient Drainage System

Your exterior trim, like your gutters, soffit, fascia boards and frames, create an essential drainage system that protects your home from moisture and water damage. Annual gutter cleaning services will ensure your rain gutters and downspouts safely divert stormwater away from your home.

As for your deck’s overall structure, check the underside for any structural damage, including around the concrete footings. With the annual hurricane season in West Palm Beach, it’s important to frequently confirm that the soil around your posts hasn't eroded, as that would highly affect your posts’ stability. If your landscaping has been altered or the ground wasn't properly graded, pooling water can wash away soil from posts or crack concrete footings, compromising the whole structure’s stability. Any issues with grading and drainage need attention from a certified professional before they cause serious damage that leads to major deck repair. West Palm Beach property owners will be a lot safer with annual inspections and maintenance.

Also, ensure the frame is well-connected to the deck joists and beams. If any screws, nails or other connectors appear to be weak or corroded, replace them right away with non-corrosive stainless steel or call your local handyman for efficient West Palm Beach deck repair, during which they’ll ensure all parts are in good condition.

Old Deck

If your deck has made it to 20 years, we don’t want to congratulate you yet. Its health will depend on the maintenance it has received over the years. While some parts can be saved with temporary deck repair, West Palm Beach homeowners might want to consider a replacement for safety reasons. Your West Palm Beach handyman will provide you with a thorough inspection and diagnosis to identify if there’s anything we can save before breaking the news to you. It is sometimes possible to restore and repair older deck systems, depending on the wear and damage. Specific things we will look at include: 

• Foundation: Good footings are built on stones or full masonry piers. Nowadays, poured concrete is more standard.
• Frame: Serving as the spine of the structure, the frame will highly determine whether a full replacement is key. Wood rot, corroded connectors and spacers could be repaired or exchanged as long as the corrosion hasn’t spread onto the wood. 

Maintenance Tips!

Inconsistencies are inevitable but easily managed if you take fast action. It could be as simple as sanding splintered corners and using wood fillers to seal small cracks. As long as you keep up with the work, you won’t have to worry about early needs for deck repair. West Palm Beach homeowners should keep these maintenance jobs in their calendars: 

• Pressure-washing at least once a year and refinishing the boards every two to three years.
• Use only synthetic, outdoor rugs and move them periodically to prevent moisture buildup
• Schedule an annual handyman service appointment that includes an inspection and minor repairs.
• Caulk areas that need waterproofing.
• Check for peeling paint around the structure.
• Check anchors, brackets and fasteners for rust and corrosion. Exchange incompatible parts.
• Check underneath the structure for drainage and grading issues

Ready for Deck Repair? West Palm Beach Homes Are In Safe Hands!

Whether you’re in West Palm Beach or a nearby community, such as Boynton Beach, Lake Worth or Wellington, having trusted handyman inspection services for your home’s exterior is crucial in a climate like Florida’s. Just check out our amazing local reviews to see what customers are saying about their experience with us. If you’re a more visual person, check out the local work we’ve done. 

Give us a call today to chat with our outstanding customer service reps about what we can do to make your home safer and more comfortable. We offer services for everything from deck repair to exterior door repair and more!