06/11/2025
One of the questions I get the most is...
can my deck be repaired or should I replace it? And the answer is, it depends.
If your deck has been damaged by a storm, wind, or a tree falling, most likely, although not always, it can be repaired.
But if you see rot, it is often another story.
The main thing about fixing a deck that most people don’t want to hear is that when it's rotten on the top boards, the likelihood is that the joists are also rotten.
So that’s the bad news; if the decking is rotten you can almost guarantee at least the top inch or inch and a half of the joist is also going to be rotten.
If the joist is rotten, that means that you can't screw a board into it. If you can’t screw a board into it, then you can’t make it safe. If you can’t make it safe and make it last then it’s a waste of money to only replace the top.
If it's fixable, I will fix it. But if it’s not I will show you why I don't want to fix it.
You might invest $10,000 into the top surface of the deck, but if what's holding it up is rotten, it’s not going to last another five years. Do you really think that’s a wise use of your money?
Once I make it look nice, I want it to last. And I don't want it to last five years, I want it to last 25 or 30 years.
So if you have rotten boards and you don’t want to waste your money or put yourself or your family at risk, then you have to start thinking about replacing your deck instead of fixing your deck.
If you are in the Chattanooga area, give me a call if you would like me to come look at it.
