Decks are constantly subjected to weather, walking, and furniture being moved and stored on them. Like any exterior wood, they can take abuse and start to show their age in spots. The deck surface tends to get the most beaten up. That said, the undercarriage, or structure of the deck, can still be in great condition even if some or all of the deck boards are in rough shape.
Just because some or all of the deck boards need help doesn’t mean the whole deck needs to be replaced. It isn’t great for the environment to create all the extra waste and you don’t need to spend all the extra money to replace the whole thing!
Enter: deck board replacement. We can replace a few rotten deck boards or the whole surface depending on the condition of the deck. Deck boards come in fairly common sizes, either 5/4 x 6 (1” thick) or 2 x 6 (1.5” thick), and cedar or pressure treated lumber. We will usually match whatever the existing deck is made of and most of the time it is pressure treated lumber, as it is more cost effective. We gently remove the screws/nails from the damaged board and pry it out. We are careful to not damage the surrounding boards. The specific situation will dictate how long of a piece we need to replace. Sometimes we cut out a section, and we need to add additional reinforcement under the board at the seam. The joists supporting the deck boards are roughly 16” apart, so if a board fails one could foreseeably step through the deck, or at the very least sprain an ankle, stub a toe, etc.
Our primary concern with deck board replacement is safety. A rotten or significantly compromised board could fail unexpectedly causing a tripping hazard. This is especially true on deck stairs. It is common for the leading board at the bottom of the stairs to be worn, which can be a major hazard. Aesthetics aside, replacing the rotting/rotten boards makes it safer and more enjoyable to use.