Why Is Your Deck Rotting In Victoria?

The spring is here, and it is time to prepare your outdoor space for entertainment. You uncover your patio furniture, inspect the grill, and check your back deck for any necessary maintenance. Unfortunately, as you approach the beautiful wood structure, you notice what appear to be a few soft spots. Upon closer inspection, you find rot, meaning you need to contact deck repair services in Victoria.

How did this happen? You stick to staining or painting schedules, and you are sure to clean the deck of any debris before the winter sets in. While deck maintenance is necessary for maintaining and sustaining the life of your deck, some issues can occur despite the most steadfast homeowners. There are three typical issues that can occur and lead to rot of your deck.

Water Damage

The reason you stain your deck and use pressure-treated wood is to prevent water-related rot. However, even when homeowners are religious about staining and sealing the wood, if the deck boards were not installed correctly, to begin with, the deck can rot.

Professional and qualified installers understand the significance of the wood crown — the natural curve of the wood. If boards are installed with the crown facing in the wrong direction, they will bow or curve over time, creating a bowl for water to pool and rest.

Standing water is the enemy of your deck. If water is allowed to stand for an extended period of time, it can seep into the wood, eventually breaking it down. While this is less likely to occur in pressure-treated lumber, it is still possible, especially if given enough time.

Galvanic Rot

What screws or fasteners were used when securing deck boards? If the contractor or original installer uses galvanized screws, your deck might experience galvanic rot.

Galvanic rot occurs when the chemicals of pressure-treated lumber interact with the chemicals of galvanized screws. The chemical reaction is adversarial, resulting in oxidation and eventual rot. The oxidation essentially causes corrosion that spreads.

You will need to remove and replace any affected boards. Additionally, find different fasteners to ensure the new boards are unaffected by the same issue. You can use coated deck screws or stainless steel options, essentially anything that will not react negatively with the treated lumber or decking.

Pest Infestation

What type of lumber did you or the builder use for your deck? If the deck is not constructed using pressure-treated lumber, you risk pest infestations. Carpenter ants and other bugs will use wood to burrow and establish homes. Some bugs will consume wood.

Pressure-treated lumber receives a chemical treatment to protect against bug or insect infestations. The chemicals used are unappealing to insects, so they will move on to other sources. Still, it is possible, given enough time, that insects will invade the wood surface.

Remember that not all insects eat wood; some, like carpenter ants, excavate it. Therefore, the ants will not suffer from ingesting any chemical substances.

There are many reasons a deck might begin to rot, but the above issues are the primary causes of the problem. Water is by far the biggest threat to the stability and durability of your deck. If you have an old deck in need of repair or are considering a deck installation in Victoria, consider a professional from Handyman Connection. All professionals working with Handyman Connection are insured and assessed, ensuring that property owners are only working with the best. Suppose you contact one of the companies listed professionals. In that case, they will arrive at your home, inspect the area for installation and determine the most appropriate path forward, providing you with an estimate before leaving.