Decking is important for any home or building’s exterior. It gives the structure a uniform look and provides several benefits to the interior of the space, including insulation and increased resale value. However, decks can decay over time, making them dangerous to use and less aesthetically pleasing. Deck builders Springfield MA professionals know that deck boards will eventually rot if moisture isn’t managed well enough.
What causes deck boards to rot?
There are lots of different reasons why deck boards start rotting away. Generally, there is too much moisture in places where it shouldn’t be, which creates an environment for fungi like mold and mildew to take root. Once these organisms have enough sustenance, they begin destroying the board’s cellular fibers until holes begin to form.
In-deck construction, the wood is usually treated with a special solution that keeps rot-producing organisms from living on it. However, most treatments last for only a year or two before they begin to wear off and aren’t as strong as regular outdoor conditions demand. That’s why regular maintenance is so important – if there are cracks in boards or holes beginning to form, these can be fixed with epoxy and lumber preservatives before they become major problems. If neglected long enough, however, the surface will have no way to fight back against fungi and other harmful materials that degrade its fibers. Once this happens, the board may have warped enough that replacing it becomes necessary rather than saving it from further damage. In some cases, though decks can be built with composite materials that are durable enough to avoid rotting.
What precautions can be taken to prevent deck boards from rotting?
The easiest way to keep decks safe and long-lasting is regular maintenance. Wood boards need to be inspected regularly for damage, which means looking out for cracks or holes in the surface of the boards. If any are found, they should not only be filled in with wood filler but also treated again with a lumber preservative and/or epoxy resin capable of killing off fungi and other damaging organisms. It’s important to note that increased exposure to the sun will cause these treatments to wear away more quickly than they would if kept under shade or covered by another board, so sunny should have their protection maintained more often than shaded areas.
Another way to keep decks safe is to invest in composite materials that are more resistant to the decaying processes, such as composite decking or ipe wood. Composite boards work because they’re made up of recycled plastics and other materials that don’t take on water easily, which means fungi can’t latch onto it as easily. Additionally, these boards come with protective sealants built right into the material itself so they require less maintenance than their wooden counterparts. These boards may not be an option for everyone though – some people prefer the aesthetic quality of traditional wood over plastic despite its potential costs – so considering both options before making any large purchases will help ensure you get what you want out of your new deck.
Some homeowners choose to only use treated lumber for their decking, but it’s still a good idea to keep these boards from getting too wet. When it rains or snows, the material should be covered with a tarp to allow time for any liquid to drain away before exposing the decking to direct sunlight and heat again. This will help prevent sun-dried boards that have absorbed water from warping and then drying out too quickly.
Simply put: Decks need special attention not just because they’re used as frequently as other outdoor structures but also because they’re more likely to take on damage due to rain and snow. While untreated materials can certainly last a long time under normal conditions, there is always the potential for problems if moisture isn’t controlled well enough – or if boards are exposed to the elements for far too long.
If you need a new deck, check out local Springfield MA Deck Builders companies and get in touch with some of them for prices.