Summer is the perfect time for relaxing with friends and family on your deck. Of course, this generally isn’t possible if your deck is in less than perfect condition, in which case, you’re probably considering having it replaced. However, before you take the drastic step of tearing out your old deck and starting over, it is essential that you first have it inspected to determine whether a full replacement is really necessary.
Replacing vs. Refacing: Why an Inspection is a Must
If your deck boards are warped, cracked or otherwise in poor condition, it’s most definitely a good idea to have the deck repaired. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll need to have your existing deck torn out completely as it may be possible to simply have the deck refaced by replacing the deck boards and leaving the underlying structure in place.
The posts, beams and overall underlying structure of most decks are usually built with pressure-treated lumber or sometimes redwood as these materials are much more resistant to moisture damage than standard lumber. This means that under the right conditions, your deck’s structure has the potential to last for decades. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case with deck boards and even modern composite decking will usually need to be replaced long before the underlying structure begins to fail.
Of course, the only way to know whether you can get away with simply resurfacing and replacing your deck boards is to have the deck inspected by an experienced professional. During the inspection, will remove some of the deck boards and, if possible, crawl underneath the deck in order to determine what condition the posts and beams are in.
Should any of the underlying structure shows signs of rot, decay or damage, it will be necessary to replace at least some or possibly all of the structural boards. However, it is incredibly common for the deck boards to be weak, rotten or cracked, while the underlying structure is still in good condition. In this case, you can save yourself quite a bit of time and money by simply having the deck resurfaced.
Benefits of Resurfacing Your Deck
Having to tear out and replace your existing deck is an expensive and time-consuming process. For starters, you’ll be looking at additional labor costs to demolish and then rebuild the structure—not to mention the additional lumber and materials required. Unfortunately, pressure-treated lumber tends to be very expensive, which means you’re generally looking at paying several thousand dollars to have your deck totally replaced. As well, the entire process will take much longer, which means you might be prevented from being able to enjoy the benefits of your deck for weeks. On the other hand, resurfacing your deck will typically only take a few days at most, while also costing only a fraction of the price of replacing the deck entirely.
By resurfacing your deck with new boards, you will get to enjoy the benefits of a brand-new looking deck without the associated costs. As well, having an inspection performed prior to resurfacing also gives you the peace of mind that your deck is safe and sturdy. Therefore, it is essential that you contact a professional. If you’re lucky and your deck’s structure is still in good condition, you could potentially be enjoying the benefits of your new deck as early as next week.
