A deck holds a lot of memories: summer dinners, sunsets, kids and grandkids running in from the beach. It also takes a beating from sun, rain and, near the coast, salt air. Deck repair is easiest and safest when you catch problems early. This guide covers the warning signs, why coastal decks wear differently, when to repair and when to rebuild, and what a good deck repair bid should include.
Warning signs your deck needs repair
- Boards that feel soft, springy or spongy when you step on them
- Rust streaks running down the joists or posts underneath
- A railing that moves or "gives a little" when you lean on it
- Stairs that wobble, or treads that are cracked or loose
- A gap opening between the deck and the house wall
- Posts that are cracked, leaning or dark and soft at the base
Why salt air is hard on coastal decks
Near the beach, salt in the air settles on everything. It corrodes ordinary nails, screws and metal connectors, often inside the wood where you cannot see it. A board can look fine on top while the nail holding it has rusted away underneath. That is why coastal decks are usually built and repaired with stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant fasteners, and why the connectors that tie joists and beams together deserve a close look.
Repair or replace?
| What you see | What it often means |
|---|---|
| A few soft or cracked boards | Replace those boards; check the joists under them |
| A loose railing on solid posts | Re-fasten or replace the railing with stronger hardware |
| Rust on many connectors and nails | Replace fasteners and connectors; a pro checks the framing |
| Rotted joists, beams or ledger board | Rebuild the structure; often a bigger job |
Railings and stairs come first
Railings and stairs carry the most risk, because people lean on them and walk on them every day. If a railing moves or a stair wobbles, keep people off it until it is fixed. A pro can tell you whether it needs new fasteners, new posts or a new railing system. On raised decks and beach houses, check the stair stringers (the boards the steps sit on) and where the stairs attach at the top.
A 15-minute deck check you can do yourself
- Walk it: step on every board. Soft, springy or loud spots go on the list.
- Push it: lean firmly on each railing post and the top rail. Any movement is worth a look.
- Poke it: press a screwdriver into the bottom of posts and the ends of boards. Healthy wood is hard.
- Look under it: with a flashlight, check joists, beams, brackets and nails for rust, cracks and dark wet spots.
- Check the house side: look where the deck meets the wall (the ledger board) for gaps, rot or water stains.
Wood or composite boards?
| Material | Upkeep | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | Clean and seal every year or two | Common and easy to match for repairs |
| Cedar or other natural wood | Regular sealing to keep its color | Beautiful, softer, needs care |
| Composite | Washing, no staining | Long-lasting surface; the frame under it still needs checks |
Even with composite boards on top, the frame underneath is usually wood and metal, so the same checks for rot and rust still apply.
Seasonal care that keeps a deck safe
- Sweep sand, leaves and debris out of the gaps so boards can dry.
- Wash the deck and re-seal wood when water stops beading on it.
- Rinse salt spray off coastal decks, railings and hardware now and then.
- Trim plants away from the deck so air can move under it.
- Look underneath every year and after every big storm.
Why decks fail: the usual causes
| Cause | What happens |
|---|---|
| Water that cannot drain or dry | Boards and framing rot from the inside out |
| Corroded fasteners and connectors | Joists and railings lose their hold over time |
| A poorly attached ledger board | The deck can pull away from the house |
| Posts sitting in soil or water | Rot at the base, leaning posts |
| Skipped sealing and cleaning | Cracked, splintered, soft boards |
Permits and building codes
Simple board replacement often does not need a permit, but rebuilding the frame, stairs or railings, or changing the size or height of a deck, often does. Railing height and spacing rules exist for safety. Rules vary by city and county, so ask your pro and check locally before work starts.
What a good deck repair bid includes
- What the pro inspected, including the framing and fasteners underneath
- Which boards, joists, posts or railings will be replaced
- The fasteners and connectors they will use (corrosion-resistant on the coast)
- Board material: pressure-treated wood, cedar or composite
- Stain or seal, cleanup and haul-away of old wood
- Timeline, and any permit, and who pulls it
Questions to ask a deck contractor
- What did you find under the deck, and can you show me photos?
- What fasteners and connectors will you use, and why?
- Will this repair fix the cause or just the boards I can see?
- Do you carry insurance? Ask for proof and check it.
Keep your deck in good shape
Clean it each season, keep sand and leaves out of the gaps, re-seal wood as the finish wears, and look underneath every year and after storms. Small fixes now keep the deck ready for many more summers.
Get deck repair bids on BidHandyman
Take a few photos from on top and from underneath, describe what you see, and post it free. Only pros approved by BidHandyman can bid. Compare the bids, message the pros and hire the one you like, with no obligation. Post your deck repair, or read about beach house repairs and wood rot repair.