Nothing says “summer” quite like sitting outside on a wooden deck, watching the kids play in the swimming pool, listening to the birds, or sipping on an ice-cold drink! But in this recent rainy weather, many of us have noticed that our decks aren’t in quite as good shape as we’d like! Here are some insights into why decks can start to rot and what to do about it, from our team – we can also sell your home in 24 hours.
Common Reasons Wooden Decks Start to Rot – And What to Do
Rot can set in for several reasons, and with a little investigating, you can find out what’s affecting your deck. This will help you find the right professional or DIY deck repair solution.
The Problem: Pest infestation
Certain pests just love wood, and once they move in, rot tends to follow. Look for signs of dry wood termites, carpenter ants, powder-post beetles, carpenter bees, or eastern subterranean termites. Typical signs include seeing these pests in reasonable numbers around or in your decking, piles of sawdust and wood shavings, mud tubes, and insect swarms.
The Solution
You may need to call in a professional to remove larger infestations, but most can be treated effectively with DIY solutions. Try to use organic, environmentally-friendly methods of removing pests, as this better protects the environment and is child and pet safe. Carpenter bees, for example, can be relocated by a bee specialist.
The Problem: Water damage
Moisture is another common reason for deck rot, especially if a deck is untreated or hasn’t been sealed/maintained in a long time. Look for water pooling on the deck after rain, cracks in the wood, and decking that takes a long time to dry. If the weather is dry, sprinkle some water onto the deck. The water should bead and run off, so if it sinks into the wood, you have a moisture problem.
The Solution
If the damage is not too bad, it’s best to replace any boards that are not in good shape, and clean the deck off thoroughly using a pressure washer. Let it dry completely, and then seal it with a high-quality sealant for wooden decks.
However, if your deck is buckling, severely water damaged, or has significant cracks, it’s best to call in a professional carpenter. They will be able to repair and replace what’s needed, adjust the design to prevent water from pooling, and treat your deck to prevent future moisture problems.
The Problem: Galvanic Rot
This occurs when galvanized screws, bolts, and metal attachments are used on pressure-treated lumber. This causes a chemical reaction over time that results in oxidization and corrosion. Your nails and screws will look rusted and the wood around the holes will look damaged or discolored.
The Solution
The only solution is to remove the galvanized components and replace the affected boards using more effective fasteners that won’t corrode. The best screws and fasteners for pressure-treated lumber are corrosion-resistant stainless steel, stainless steel alloys, and coated fasteners made specifically for pressure-treated lumber.
Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance
All wooden decks require ongoing maintenance, and it’s important to keep an eye on your deck’s condition year-round, especially after an extremely cold winter or wet spring. Natural expansion and contraction will gradually wear on the deck boards and fasteners, but regular maintenance can help keep it in great shape for many years to come – and help prevent costly repairs and deck replacement.
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If you are facing property tax foreclosure or simply want to sell your home fast and privately without the worry of looking for a buyer or the costs of upgrading your home, then your best bet is to sell directly to cash home buyers in Fort Worth.
Our cash for homes Fort Worth team is happy to buy it for a market-related price – sight unseen and no upgrades needed. It’s completely COVID-safe because we don’t need to visit your home for viewings, and you can sell your home in 24 hours. Here’s how our process works:
- You enter your information on our website. We’ll contact you directly to discuss an offer for your property (you can also get a free property evaluation from our website)
- You can accept or reject the offer
- You can also call us directly on 469-858-0088
You can also follow our FREE guide on how to sell your home fast.
Our team is compassionate and highly motivated to offer you the best possible market-related price for your home, so you can sell your home in 24 hours. Not only does this cash go straight into your bank account as soon as the sale goes through, but you also pay zero real estate agent commission. It’s the best way to sell your home and get out of foreclosure.
At Shiny Key Properties, our trained consultants have years of experience in helping homeowners to sell quickly and get out of foreclosure. To find out more about our cash for homes Fort Worth service or to speak to our cash home buyers directly, please contact us today and speak to one of our friendly team members.