Localized damage to the surface of a deck can be caused by water runoff from a roof and/or leaking issues. This type of damage can usually be temporarily remedied by replacing a few boards, but a permanent solution will be to cut off the problem at its origin point. This will likely be a smaller repair, however, when any kind of damage or rot affects most of the surface, you have to consider why this is happening. Is your deck uncovered? If you’re in an area that gets a lot of sun exposure, your decking will be affected by the harsh temperatures and damaging sun rays. This type of damage will cause wood decking to take a huge cut in life expectancy. You should stain or paint your decking every 1-2 years to protect it from the sun. Composite or PVC decking will eliminate this issue. If it is within your budget we recommend transitioning over to one of these options. You can view our decking option by clicking here. Some of the most common types of surface damage come from wood rot, water intrusion, and mold.

Structural instability can affect the top of a deck just as much as the support framework. Railings that lean outward or that wobble when touched pose a safety hazard. Check where the railings attach to the deck, NC building codes dictate that your railing system should have bolts, screws, or brackets attaching it to the outer band of your deck, if this hardware is corroded or not present, this presents a safety risk to you and your family. Residential building codes are established to ensure that any type of construction present or future, is structurally sound and safe. If you suspect that your railing systems or deck is not safe and/or presents clear structural issues, contact us today and we will provide a FREE no obligation evaluation and estimate!

Ledger boards keep backyard decks attached to the house with a series of bolts attaching the board to the foundation of your home. When these boards become damaged and/or the bolts corrode, the deck’s weight and/or corrosion of the soil may make the entire structure lean away from the building. A leaning deck poses a major safety hazard and should be taken seriously. When a deck starts to lean, this can become a constantly deteriorating problem and could potentially end with the collapse of most of the structure. This can all be prevented by replacing the corroded bolts and nails that attach your deck to your home.

Sagging is one of the most common structural issues that homeowners notice. Whether it’s a new deck or a 30-year-old deck, sagging is a noticeable issue that must be taken seriously! What causes a deck to sag? Well, it could be a couple of different factors:

 Sagging from the middle of the deck would indicate that the span of the rafters goes too long without support beams/headers.

 This happens when there is too long of a span between your support beams, NC Building codes state that your deck joists should follow the X1.5 rule. This means that a 2x joist can only go 1.5 times the width of the board. For example, a 2×8 joist on a 16″ O.C. layout can go up to 12ft (8×1.5 = 12) without support in between. If your deck has 2×8 joists and there is a span greater than 12ft in between supports, then your deck framing is not up to code and requires a support beam in between existing ones. 

 Another potential cause is that the joists were installed with the crown facing down. Most structural lumber components have a bit of a hump on one side. This is an issue that unfortunately comes from the factory. Lumber is not perfect and contractors must be aware of this when building a deck. Joists should always be installed with the crown (Hump) facing up. Over time, the crown will settle into a more correct position. When you install the crown facing downward you create the look of a bowl. Over time this will get worse until it reaches its maximum give. Decks with this issue are very noticeable. You will notice that water seems to collect at the center of your deck. If you are currently having this issue the most appropriate solution will be to have your deck framing replaced. You can contact us today for a free estimate, EAST COAST RENOVATORS LLC We work with all types of materials and specialize in outdoor living structures such as decks, pergolas, gazebos, pavers, concrete, etc. Contact us today for a free estimate!
910 998 7571