Since you are reading this essay, it is reasonable to infer that you believe your decking has lost part of its allure. So, before planning for a landed property renovation, it\'s time to give your decking some TCL if you select yes to any of the following questions.
- Compared to when it was first applied, does your stain appear uneven or lifeless?
- Has the wood in your home begun to split or crack?
- Are any nails sticking out or coming loose?
- When you walk over your planks, do they "give"?
- Can you spot any rotten or soft planks?
Dead or spotted stain:
Without regular deck maintenance, your wood will be exposed to the weather, eventually losing its "new appearance," and gradually aging with a greyer tint. It\'s probably time to give your wood some TLC and re-stain and re-seal it if it appears spotty or the sealant is peeling off.
Re-staining can take time, and if done incorrectly, you\'ll still experience the same problems. Although we advise hiring a carpentry contractor to handle this task, you can also try your hand at it yourself by reading our article.
Unfortunately, you need to have an expert come and look at your decking if it has a grey tint. This is typically a clue that you need to repair your decking. When the sealer and stain have worn off and your wood has been exposed to the weather, grey wood typically results. The worst-case scenario is water exposure, which frequently causes wood to decay and renders your decking physically unsound.
Cracking or splintering:
Splintering and cracking are often signaled that your deck\'s seal has become inadequate. If exposed to the weather, expanding and contracting as it takes in moisture and is then dried off by the sun, wood can crack and splinter. It\'s time to hire a specialist to check the structural integrity of the wood if your deck is showing indications of cracking or splintering. You could be looking at a partial repair of the broken boards if discovered early.
Walkable planks that "give":
Your planks may be "giving" as you walk on them for several reasons. When we say something "gives," we don\'t mean that it squeaks beneath your weight; rather, we imply that it gently sinks. First, we would propose that your decking may need additional structural support beams if there is no evidence of the wear stated above.
However, if any of the aforementioned indications are present, we\'d surmise that your decking may have some decay or has been a victim of termites. You may examine your decking yourself to see whether any problematic boards are mushy or brittle and shatter when touched.
If this happens, you should contact a professional right away since your decking\'s structural integrity could be at risk.
Rotten or soft planks:
Simply feeling your planks will allow you to determine whether they are soft, as well as observe that they "give" as you walk on them.
There is no simple way to describe it, but if your deck\'s planks are mushy or you can see evidence of decay, it is no longer structurally sound. Calling a professional right away is advised, and you should avoid using your decking until it is replaced. It is not worth the risk of putting yourself or others in danger since a decaying deck might collapse at any time.
How should you pick the best stain for your decking?
Naturally, the best stain for your decking will depend on your particular preferences, but one thing to consider is the balance between the amount of maintenance needed and the degree of care and attention you will be able to offer your decking over the years.
To pick the perfect stain and color to complement your vision, we advise thinking about the "look" you want to create for your area before deciding on the sort of stain.
We heartily recommend selecting a semi-transparent stain if, like us, you enjoy seeing the distinctive features of the wood grain since it will bring your deck to life.
On the other hand, commercial stains will behave and appear like paint and almost conceal your wood grain.