Deck repair in Georgetown starts with the frame, because new boards on soft posts or a loose ledger only hide the problem for a little while.
At a Glance
- Frame check before any quote
- New boards and rails on a sound frame
- Full rebuild when the frame is soft
- Ask the city about repair permits
Signs Your Deck Needs Work
- Soft spots that give under your foot
- A wobbly rail that moves when you lean on it
- Rust on bolts, hangers or nails
- Gaps between the deck and the house wall
- Boards that cup, split or pop their screws
If the rail moves or the boards feel soft, stay off the deck until someone looks at it.
We Check the Frame First
The posts, beams, JoistsThe boards that run under the deck surface and hold up the decking. They sit on beams, and beams sit on posts and footings. and Ledger boardThe board that ties a deck to the side of the house. It carries half the deck, so it has to be fastened right and kept dry. carry the whole deck. We probe the wood, look at every hanger and check how the deck ties to the house. Then we tell you what we found, with photos.
Repair, Resurface or Rebuild
Repair fixes a few bad boards, a loose rail or a step. Resurface keeps a sound frame and puts new boards and rails on top. It is the best value when the frame is good. Rebuild starts over from the footings when the frame is soft or was built wrong.
Resurfacing is also the moment to switch to composite boards, if the joists are close enough together.
Permits for Repairs
Georgetown names decks on its permit list, but small repairs are not spelled out there. Check with the city before big work. A new frame will almost always be handled like a new deck. Read the permit guide for the steps.
Questions About Deck Repair
How do I know if my deck is safe?
Push on the rail. Poke the posts and the Ledger boardThe board that ties a deck to the side of the house. It carries half the deck, so it has to be fastened right and kept dry. with a screwdriver. Look for soft wood, rust and loose bolts. If the rail moves or the wood is soft, stay off it and call for a look.
Do I need a permit to repair a deck?
Check with the city. The city permit list names decks but does not spell out repairs. A rebuild of the frame will almost always be treated like a new deck. We ask before we start.
Can you keep my frame and swap the boards?
If the frame is sound, yes. That is the cheapest way to get a deck that looks new. We check the posts, beams, JoistsThe boards that run under the deck surface and hold up the decking. They sit on beams, and beams sit on posts and footings. and ledger first, because new boards on a bad frame waste your money.