Having a deck is a great way of maximizing your outdoor living space. But since it’s exposed to the elements, a lot of things can happen to your outdoor deck. For instance— wood rot. When it sets in, it can compromise the structure, making it collapse eventually.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do as soon as you notice the signs of wood rot creeping in. Early action will help you make your outdoor deck last and save you money in the long term.
How to spot wood rot
You don’t need the services of a home inspector to determine if your outdoor deck is slowly beginning to rot.
Take the time to inspect the outdoor deck and look for the following signs:
- Wood that is soft and spongy to touch
- Discoloration
- Bubbly paint
- Fungal growth
You can also do a very simple test to determine if the wood is rotting. Simply take a screwdriver and push it into the wood. If the wood crumbles without any difficulty, it is definite that you are dealing with wood rot.
How to deal with wood rot
Once you are sure you’re dealing with wood rot, you can do any of the following methods to curb its spread.
For rotten wooden deck boards
Use a pry bar or claw hammer to gently remove the pieces intact. Each board will have nails sticking out, so take care to discard them as well. You can also use the pry bar to remove the remaining rotten parts of wood.
Splinters and other pieces of wood might fly away, so be sure to wear protective eyewear.
For rotten wood deck posts
Wood deck posts are significantly thicker and larger than wooden deck boards. To remove these, you’ll need any of the following: a twin-blade saw, a reciprocating saw, or a circular saw. These tools will help you make horizontal cuts.
Start by cutting the wood deck posts by sections until they are manageable enough to be removed.
For rotten wood railing and guards
If you’ve spotted wood rot on your outdoor deck’s railings and guards, it is best to remove these parts as soon as possible. Since they’re there for guide and support, they can easily become safety hazards.
To remove rotten railings and guards, take a hammer. Strike them from below, with the force directed upward. Doing so will help dislodge the railings and guards from the posts and balusters.
Once they’re disconnected, you can remove the rest of the parts by hand. Be wary of nails sticking out.
What next?
With all the rotten parts removed, you’ll have a significant heap of it in your backyard. Since the wood used for outdoor decks are often chemically treated, they can’t be recycled. There might also be local regulations in place barring disposal trucks from getting building materials.
The best way to get rid of the rotten wood is to call a hauling truck to pick up everything and deliver it to the landfill. If you have a pick-up truck (or you know somebody with one), you can load the pieces and drive to the landfill for proper disposal.
Take good care of your home. Browse the blog for more home maintenance tips and information. For questions, don’t hesitate to contact Cindy Pagnotta and her team at 908.436.7947 or info(at)pagnottahomes(dotted)com.
