Your deck has certainly served you well over the years. But lately, you’ve noticed some concerning signs. There are soft spots when you walk, railings that wobble, or wood that just doesn’t look right anymore.
As an experienced Macon deck builder, we help homeowners understand when simple repairs won’t cut it and when it’s time for a complete replacement. Sometimes, you can save money with redecking—that is, putting new boards over a sound structure. But there are also times when the entire structure needs be rebuilt because the cost of small fixes is piling up.
In this article, we’ll talk about seven clear signs that replacement is the right call.
1. The deck was built over 20 years ago.
Different materials have different lifespans. In general, pressure-treated pine lasts about 15-25 years. Older more porous composite decking tends to last about 25-30 years. Newer composite materials can last 25 or even 50 years.
If your deck was built 20-30+ years ago, age alone is reason to consider replacing it. Even the best built materials eventually break down, and there aren’t that many decks left out there built over 25 years ago that are still steady underfoot.
2. The structural integrity of the substructure and support is poor.
When support posts or joists show rot, you could quickly find yourself looking at serious safety issues. Joists that feel soft, sag visibly, or show splitting need attention. Another big problem are posts that are buried in soil rather than concrete—those will eventually fail.
If the deck feels bouncy when you walk on it, the structural system needs immediate evaluation. A custom Macon, GA deck builder can tell you whether the substructure is salvageable.
3. There is widespread wood rot.
If you see a little bit of surface rot, that’s not a huge problem. That can often be repaired. But widespread rot is a different issue entirely and cannot be easily repaired.
If you’ve gotten to the point where boards or joists crumble under pressure, that’s when replacement makes more sense. The same goes if you find mushy sections or when you see darkened wood with fungal growth. By the time you’re seeing that, it means the rot has spread beyond what's visible.
4. Hardware is loose, pulling away, or rusting.
A few loose nails is not a big problem and can be fixed.
But when nails and screws are pulling up everywhere, that’s a different story. If you have rusted brackets throughout, or bolts that have lost their holding strength, it means you're looking at systemic failure.
The most critical issue is the ledger board—that’s the piece attaching your deck to your house. If that's pulling away, we highly recommend you reach out to your local deck company near you.
5. There is significant settlement or sinking.
Posts that lean, stairs that sink, or uneven deck surfaces point to foundation problems that redecking won't solve. Fixing foundation issues while keeping the old structure rarely makes financial sense.
6. Railings are loose or unsafe.
Railings that move when pushed or posts that wobble are major safety hazards. Similarly, if the balusters are spaced too far apart, they may not meet current codes either.
Macon deck companies see this often: bringing an old deck to current code can be costly and a more sound investment can be building a new up-to-code deck.
7. You want a different layout, size, or shape.
Maybe your deck is structurally sound but doesn't fit how you use your outdoor space. If you want a different size, shape, or built-in seating, replacement gives you the opportunity to build exactly what you need.
How You Know It’s Time To Call A Macon Custom Deck Builder
If you answer YES to any of these, it’s time to call your local deck company:
- Does the deck feel bouncy, soft, or unstable?
- Do you see rot in posts, beams, or joists?
- Is the ledger board pulling away from the house?
- Are railings loose or failing?
- Is the deck over 20 years old?
- Are multiple repairs piling up each year?
A yes on any of these questions means it’s a good time to seek out an honest assessment from professionals who you can trust to put your safety first. We can evaluate your deck's condition thoroughly and give you clear recommendations based on what we see in person.
And if you decide to opt for a replacement, you should know: all our decks are custom-designed and built to last for decades, and that includes the one you want built on your Macon property.
Want to do some more research on this subject? Check out our complementary design guide to explore more planning details.
Broaden your outdoor living leisure horizons with Archadeck of Central GA. Call us at 478-241-8406 for a complimentary design consultation on how to transform your backyard into the perfect outdoor oasis.
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