6 Most Common Wooden Deck Repairs

person staining deck boards with brush

If you have a wooden deck, you're likely to run into all of these deck repairs over the years. Here's what to expect.

1. Popped-Out Nails

Decks get heavy use. The most common wear and tear issue is that nails will get dislodged. The wood warps as the seasons change, and as you walk on the boards, you depress them. All of this activity causes the nails to come loose. This can be a health hazard and a structural hazard, so you will need to address this issue when you complete deck repairs.

2. Staining and Sealing

The stain and sealer on the wood deck will start to come off because of rain, snow, foot travel, and countless other things. This may be one of the easiest deck repairs you will encounter. You will need to sand the boards down and apply the stain to the wood again in several coats. Then you can finish up with the sealant to protect it from the elements for a few more seasons.
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gloved hand staining deck with brushes

3. Anchoring Deck Stairs

The stairs on the deck likely get the hardest wear and tear. Unless the wood is horribly splintered or cracked, you can avoid completely replacing them by anchoring loose steps down. You can add several screws through the boards to the beams or installed metal brackets.

4. Post Replacement

Deck repairs do not get much more complicated than replacing a post. The pieces of lumber are, by far, the workhorses of the deck as a whole. Replacing a deck post is complicated because you need to match the size of the post in both length and dimensions. You also have to brace the deck while you complete your work. You should not complete this job without making sure all of your measurements are precise, or you could wind up with an uneven deck.

5. Deck Board Replacement

Replacing deck boards as part of routine deck repairs is not uncommon. Over the years, they become warped or damaged enough that they need to replace them. If the bottom of the boards is in good shape, you could turn the boards over and save on materials cost. If you need to replace the boards, take measurements of their length, width, and thickness.

6. Railing Repair

Weather can wreak havoc on all of the wood and won't spare the railings of the deck. Railings are larger pieces than the other wood. Once again, measure accurately so you can purchase a good replacement.

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