Hello. You have a deck in North Vancouver. Rain falls on the wood. Rot happens. You must check the wood now.
1. Wood that yields to touch
Walk on your deck, then feel for bounce. Take a screwdriver, then press the tip into the wood. Wood should resist. If the tip enters the grain, you have rot. Check the areas under planters and mats. Check the corners where water sits.
2. Stains around screws
Screws hold your deck. Look at the metal, then look at the wood around it. Rust creates rings. Water enters the holes, then rots the joists. If a screw sits below the surface, the wood below has failed. Tighten the screw. If the screw spins, the wood is gone.
3. Railings that move
Grip your railing, then shake it. Railings should stay still. If the post moves, check the base. Water collects at the floor, then rots the support. This is a risk. Fix the posts, then stay safe.
4. Growth on the surface
Look for mushrooms. Look for mold. Fungus eats wood. If you see growth, the moisture is high. Clean the area, then check the density of the plank. North Vancouver has shade. Shade keeps wood damp. Damp wood rots.
5. Gaps at the house wall
Find where the deck meets your home. This is the ledger board. Look for gaps. Look for light between the house and the beam. If the deck pulls away, water enters your wall. This causes rot inside your house. Inspect the flashing, then seal the cracks.
Maintenance in North Vancouver
Weather in West Vancouver and North Vancouver is wet. Rain stays on the wood. You must apply sealant. Check your deck in the spring, then check it in the fall.
Hire Randall The Handyman
Do not wait for a collapse. Call Randall The Handyman at (604) 442-5142. We serve North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Burnaby. We visit homes in Yaletown and Kerrisdale.
Start with an inspection. We charge $120 for the first hour, then $85 for each hour after. We fix boards, then we secure railings. We help you maintain your home.
Visit Randall The Handyman to book. Tell us your location. We go to Richmond and East Vancouver. We work in the West End and South Vancouver. Fix your deck today.
