Patio and Deck Repair Jacksonville, FL

The cost of any wood deck repair Jacksonville, FL residents may need will vary depending on the size of the rotten area and the complexity of the necessary repair. Minor repairs could cost a few hundred dollars, whereas larger or more structural repairs could cost significantly more. This is because usually, the more widespread the damage, especially in the case of rotting wood, the more time, labor, and materials are needed to ensure a proper deck repair.

Jacksonville, FL property owners who spot signs of wood rot should contact our handyman professionals to come out and inspect their deck. Once we have examined the damage in person, we can provide a more accurate quote for your deck repair service.

Resurfacing a wooden deck is a popular solution for wood deck repair. Jacksonville, FL is no stranger to high humidity and heat, which are conditions that can cause some serious damage to wood decks. The horizontal portion of your deck, that part on which you walk, takes a lot of abuse. Water sits on it; the sun bakes it; leaves and debris collect on the surface and do not allow it to dry. Additionally, wood is a natural product with knot holes and a tendency to warp and crack with age. The surface of your deck can look pretty rough, even when the structure below the deck is solid.

Rather than spot-treat impact areas during deck repair, Jacksonville, FL service professionals often recommend replacing the surface with new wood or newer synthetic deck boards to give your deck a new lease on life. It looks like a brand-new deck, but it comes at a lower cost than a full demolition and rebuild.

The structure below your deck (footers, stringers, all upon which the deck surface sits) will be pressure-treated lumber, regardless of the deck surface. PT lumber has the tensile strength for this purpose. The deck surface, however, can be either PT lumber, synthetic decking, or even more exotic woods like redwood or teak. All of these exotic options are very expensive and very uncommon here in greater Jacksonville.

Between the choices of PT lumber and synthetic decking, value is in the eye of the beholder. Which do you value more, lower upfront cost or longer life and lower maintenance? Let’s look at both.

PT lumber is relatively inexpensive, widely available, and quite commonly used for building decks. With this benefit of lower upfront costs comes some tradeoffs in the way of ongoing maintenance. Wood rots, and if you do not regularly clean and seal your PT lumber deck, the deck surface will begin to break down. Trapped water due to on-deck carpeting, leaf litter, or other materials on the deck will also expedite damage. Whether you pay somebody to do this work or do it yourself, there is a higher ongoing maintenance cost.

Synthetic decking is more expensive to purchase the material, about the same cost to install, but has lower maintenance requirements. It will not rot, which leads some to think it is indestructible. This is not the case. Constant moisture can lead to the growth of algae, that green hue you see on many homes in Florida. Piles of leaves or pine needles will not rot synthetic decking, but tannins from leaf litter breakdown can stain it. Spring pollen, bird droppings, and other ‘dirt’ can also collect with time. A good scrub annually with soapy water and a brush will do this deck good, but this is far less work than cleaning, staining and sealing a wood deck.

Jacksonville, Florida’s climate may be perfect for beachgoers, but it is also perfect for wood rot to flourish. Wood rot is a type of decay caused by fungi, which decompose wood from the inside. It flourishes in moist, warm conditions, so without preventative maintenance, it can call for some serious wood deck repairs.

Jacksonville, FL residents can prevent wood rot from impacting their wooden decking structures with the following:

• Apply protective coatings, such as sealant or stain, every few years.
• Perform regular deck cleaning, including sweeping away any debris accumulating on the surface and inspecting it for signs of moisture damage.
• Trim away branches and plants to prevent moisture accumulation.
• Check to ensure there is good deck drainage.
• Move furniture around regularly to prevent water from getting trapped in one spot for too long.
• Ensure proper lawn sprinkler positioning so the deck doesn’t get soaked.
• Ensure the gutters are clean so they won’t clog and leak onto the deck.
• Watch for signs of wood rot, which include discoloration, cracking or splintering wood surfaces, and a soft, spongy texture, and address it with prompt deck repair.

Jacksonville, FL residents who follow these steps can prevent major deck issues caused by wood rot.

Most decks are built with pressure-treated (PT) lumber. We can replace deck boards in small numbers as needed or the entire deck surface. When replacing the entire deck surface, you have the option of going back with new PT lumber or using this opportunity to go back with synthetic decking.

Mr. Handyman serving Greater Jacksonville is proud to serve the residents of Jacksonville, Orange Park, Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Fruit Cove, and neighboring communities with reliable services for their outdoor living needs, including deck maintenance and patio repair. Jacksonville, FL and residents can depend on our team to provide excellent customer service and personalized solutions for all their decking needs, whether it’s pressure washing to remove years of grime from your patio or addressing wood rot on a deck. Call us today to get started with exterior home repair services!