Deck repair that starts under the boards

Deck Repair in Everett

Deck repair is the most common work we do in Everett. It covers replacing split or cupped boards, securing loose stairs again, swapping out a cracked joist and tightening a rail that has started to move. On older homes in north Everett and the view lots above the water, decks often sit high off the ground on a slope, which makes the posts and bracing especially important.

You probably need a repair if a board flexes underfoot, nail heads keep popping up, the stairs shift when you step on them, or you can see daylight between the ledger and the siding. On a visit we walk the deck, look underneath, probe the wood and write down what needs attention. You get the scope before anything is done.

Rot Repair in Everett

Rot is the main reason decks fail around here. The wet months run long, many yards are shaded by tall conifers, and water sits on the tops of joists and in the gaps around posts. Rot often starts where you cannot see it: under the boards, behind the ledger or at the foot of a post buried in soil.

Signs include wood that a screwdriver sinks into, dark staining on joists, mushrooms or moss growing on the frame and boards that feel soft near the house. We cut out rotted sections, sister or replace joists, reset posts on proper footings and add flashing so the same spot does not rot again. If rot has spread into the beams or ledger, we tell you and recommend a replacement.

Deck Replacement in Everett

Sometimes a deck is past repair. The ledger was never flashed, the posts sit directly in the dirt, or the framing was undersized from the start. In those cases, patching one part just moves the problem somewhere else. Replacement means removing the old deck down to the footings and building a new frame to current code.

A replacement starts the same way as any other job: an inspection, then a written scope that names the lumber, hardware and decking. We handle the permit when one is needed, remove the old material and build the new deck with flashing at the house and joist tape on the framing. At the end we walk the finished deck with you.

Deck Staining and Sealing in Everett

A good finish keeps water out of the wood, and in a climate like ours that matters as much as the framing. The deck is due when water stops beading on the surface, when the boards turn grey and fuzzy, or when you see green growth along the board edges.

Staining and sealing is mostly prep. We clean the surface, deal with moss and mildew, replace any boards too far gone to hold a finish and let the wood dry before anything goes on. Dry weather is short here, so we usually book these jobs from late spring through early fall. We tell you which product we plan to use and roughly when the deck will need it again.

Deck Inspection in Everett

An inspection makes sense before you buy or sell a home, before you refinish an older deck, or any time something feels wrong underfoot. It is also worth doing if you do not know how old the deck is or who built it.

We check the ledger connection and its flashing, the size and condition of the posts and beams, the joist hangers and fasteners, the stairs and the railing. We probe for rot, look for rust on the hardware and note anything that looks wrong. You get a written summary with photos, so you know what is fine, what needs attention soon and what can wait.

Composite Decking and Deck Railing in Everett

Many Everett homeowners replacing worn boards ask about composite decking. It does not need staining and holds up well against moss, but it still sits on a wood frame. We only lay composite on framing that is sound, and we use the joist spacing and fasteners the decking calls for.

Railings need their own check. A rail that moves when you lean on it is a safety problem, especially on a deck that sits high off the ground. We repair or replace posts, rails and balusters in wood, composite or metal, and make sure the posts are properly fastened to the frame. You can ask us to look at both when you request a deck estimate.