Why Do Decks Rot? 7 Tips You Need to Know

Why Do Decks Rot? 7 Tips You Need to Know

So you’re thinking of building a deck, but you’ve heard that decks rot quickly. Well, decks don’t rot quickly and the reason why decks rot is much more than what people think it might be. Decking materials can hold up well for years if they are properly taken care of. The true reasons decks rot aren’t so easy to pinpoint. However, we’ll give seven tips on how to avoid these problems and keep your decks in tip-top shape as long as possible!

1. Weather Extremes

If you’re having extremely hot weather or extremely cold weather then this could put extra stress on your deck boards which could lead to it rotting faster than normal. Try to keep your decks out of the sun when it is extremely hot because decks heat up significantly and this could eventually warp your decks boards. Always try to keep decks covered with a canopy or umbrella when it’s raining so that decks won’t soak up too much water.

2. Drying Boards

Many people don’t realize how drying decks can cause rotting problems because their decks are made from wood. The moisture in wooden decks evaporates which results in shrinkage, but this isn’t always a good thing. When certain parts of the deck dry faster than others you might find that there are cracks starting to form on your deck’s boards.

3. Improper Installation

Decks rot because they weren’t installed properly. This is one of the most common reasons decks rot and it’s easy to prevent. Make sure that when you’re installing your decks you use proper screws and nails so that decks don’t sag over time. decks rot because the nails and screws weren’t installed properly, which means that the boards are no longer held together tightly.

4. Wood Species

The right species of wood could be key for decks because different kinds of wood have different tolerances against rotting problems. It’s important you know which types of woods are best for decks so decks won’t rot prematurely. For example, decks made out of cypress or cedar will have a longer lifespan than decks made out of pine or fir.

5. Splinters

If your deck is splintering this means fungus is growing underneath decks. The decks have been left to dry for too long and when decks are in this condition they start to rot much faster than decks that were taken care of right away. This usually happens if decks aren’t cleaned up within a couple of weeks, but it’s important that decks be cleaned up as soon as possible.

6. Insects and Animals

Insects and animals can be a major problem for decks because they can cause decks to rot much faster. Bugs like termites, carpenter ants, and woodpeckers can easily get into the cracks of decks and feast on the wood. If decks are left untreated then the bugs will continue to eat away at the decks which will eventually cause decks to rot. You can use pesticides and insecticides to help get rid of these pests, or you can try to exclude them from your decks by using fences or netting.

7. Elevated Decks

If decks are elevated they can be more prone to rotting problems because they’re not as protected as decks that are on the ground. This is why decks should always be attached to the house because it will help to keep decks from moving and eventually lead to decks rotting. It’s also important you have a railing system in place because it will help to protect people from falling off decks.

There are many reasons why decks rot, but decks don’t need to rot quickly if good care is taken when decks are being built or repaired. Keep these tips in mind for how to avoid decks rotting too fast! If you ‘re thinking of building decks then you should look up some vinyl fencing companies like Best Vinyl Fence & Deck that can build decks that last for years on end!