Tips to Reduce the Cost of Deck Repair and Replacement

A deck is a decorative expansion of your home that can be used for purposes such as entertaining visitors and spending quality time with family members.

Like any vital part of your home, the deck requires maintenance and sometimes repair or replacement. This may need you to spend money; fortunately, doing all of these does not have to be as expensive as the deck looks.

Only hire reputable deck repair contractors to prevent avoidable expenses. Deck leaks, for instance, can be caused by poor-quality materials, improper installation, and lack of drainage, among others.

Common causes of deck damage

Decks are usually designed without room and hence exposed to weather damage. The three common causes of deck damage are:

Mold

Moisture can cause mold to grow on a deck, resulting in wood rot. This will destroy the stains that protect the wood surface and eventually cause structural damage.

Bad weather

Storms can break tree branches and bring down erected poles. This can damage your deck.

Always clear the debris after the storm and inspect the deck thoroughly for any cracks.

Sunlight

Ultraviolet radiation makes wood fibers less resilient and more prone to cracking. To prevent this, your deck should be covered with UV light sealer.

How much does it cost to repair deck?

The total square footage and the choice of material primarily influence the cost of repairing or replacing a deck.

For natural wood, repair costs between $10 and $50 per square, while composite decking could cost between $25 to $60.

On average, homeowners spend $1,891 on deck repair.

Tips to reduce the cost of deck repair and replacement

Shop from reuse and recycle center

Repairing a deck could cost you between $790 to $3,050; to replace it, you might need to spend more than $10,000.

Whether repairing or replacing, you can save some cost by sourcing the needed materials from a reuse and recycle center near you.

They sell at a lower price compared to typical stores. It is common to get free materials at these centers. 

DIY

You do not necessarily have to be an expert to handle Do It Yourself (DIY) repairs of your deck. There are lots of online guides and videos you can check to get started.

Nevertheless, not all repairs should be DIY. Some are best left to the professionals to avoid complicating issues that can be expensive to resolve.

Common deck repair DIYs

• Discoloration: Discoloring does not indicate any significant issue in your deck but can make it less attractive.
  To fix this, you will need first to scrape off the old stain, wash the deck, and then apply the new stain with good UV protection.
  It is best done in late summer or early fall when there is a lesser possibility of rainfall.
• Slippery spots: The build-up of algae or moisture can make your deck slippery, which can be dangerous.

You can get rid of algae and moisture by pressure-washing the deck. It is also recommended that you wash your deck after snow or large event that involves activities such as grilling.

• Cracks: Decks can last between 10 to 30 years. As they age, they may start showing cracks, and luckily, they can be easily fixed using DIY.
  If the crack is under six inches long, fill it with latex wood filler and seal it with a sealant.

Know when to repair and replace

Knowing your deck's age and the material type will help determine whether to repair or replace it.

Wood decks can last up to 15 years, while composite can last up to 30 years. Decks consisting of capped polymer can last for 50 years.

Sometimes, a deck does not need replacement but refinishing. For this process, you may need to:

• Repair the deck
• Clean it
• Power wash
• Sand it
• Stain/seal

Repair and replace during the offseason

Repairing and replacing decks during an off-peak season has a lot of saving potential. The login is simple; even though the labor cost might not change, the price of materials will likely be lower. It is an economy of demand and supply.

The cheapest time of the year to replace a deck is during winter. 

Take necessary precautions

Taking the necessary precautions and maintenance can make your deck last longer and also prevent damages that could require repairs or replacements.

• Avoid building a deck using wet wood. They will shrink once dried and cause gaps which you will need to spend to repair.
• Regularly inspect the deck for any defects.
• Avoid using rugs or mats made from natural materials, as they can trap moisture. Covers made from synthetic materials are better.
• Indeed, paints can beautify your deck, despite, do not use them as a sealant. Weather conditions like sunlight can easily damage them.
• Sweep the deck during off-seasons.