Quick Summary: If your deck feels bouncy or unstable, shows rot in posts or joists, has a ledger board pulling from the house, features loose railings, is over 20 years old, or requires multiple repairs each year, it’s likely time to call in a professional to replace the deck. While minor repairs can extend a deck's life, widespread structural issues often make replacement the safer and more cost-effective choice.
Your deck has been a great place to spend time over the years. But now you're noticing things that worry you. Soft boards here and there. Railings that shift when you lean on them. Support beams that don't exactly fill you with confidence.
As an experienced Des Moines deck builder, we can tell Iowa homeowners when it is time to build a new deck.
Here are seven signs that it's time for a replacement rather than another round of repairs.
What Are The Signs My Deck Needs To Be Replaced?
1. Your deck is over 20 years old.
Materials break down over time, plain and simple. Pressure-treated wood typically gives you 15-20 years of service. Cedar might last 20-25 years. Older composite decking tends to run about 20 years, though the newer composites can last 25-50 years or longer.
If your deck was built in the 1990s or early 2000s, it's probably nearing the end of its useful life. Even well-maintained materials will eventually give out after decades of summers and winters.
2. The support structure isn't holding up.
When support posts or beams start to rot, you'll find yourself facing serious safety concerns. The same is true if the joists feel soft when you press on them, or if they're sagging or splitting visibly. Posts that were buried straight in the dirt instead of set in concrete? Those will fail eventually, due to their contact with the ground that allows moisture to slowly deteriorate the posts.
And here's the big one: if the deck bounces or feels unstable when you walk across it, that’s as clear a sign as any that it’s not structurally sound anymore. A Des Moines deck company can evaluate whether the substructure can be salvaged for a deck renovation or if you need to rebuild.
3. Wood rot has spread beyond surface level.
A little bit of surface rot isn't the end of the world. But when the rot has spread throughout the deck, that's different.
If boards or joists crumble when you poke them, if you've got spongy sections that feel mushy underfoot, or if you see dark wood with fungus growing on it, the rot has gone deeper than what you can see.
4. Hardware is failing in multiple places.
A few loose nails is easy enough to fix. But when nails and screws are pulling up all over the place, when brackets have rusted through, or when bolts have lost their grip, you're looking at a pattern of failure rather than an isolated problem.
The most critical piece of hardware is the ledger board. This is what connects your deck to your house. If you find that the ledger board is pulling away from the wall, you have an immediate safety issue in dire need of replacement.
5. The deck has settled or is sinking into the ground.
Posts that lean to one side, stairs that have sunk into the ground, or deck surfaces that slope where they used to be level all point to foundation problems. Redecking won't solve foundation issues and points to a need to rebuild your deck.
6. Railings can't be tightened or secured anymore.
Railings that wobble when you push on them represent a serious hazard. Same with posts that shift in their mounts. Additionally, if the balusters are spaced too far apart, they probably don't meet current building codes.
7. You want to change the layout anyway.
Maybe your deck is still structurally okay but it doesn't work for how you actually use your outdoor space. If you want a bigger footprint, a different shape, or features like built-in seating or multiple levels, replacement gives you a chance to build what you actually want instead of working around what's already there.
Is It Cheaper to Repair a Deck or Replace It?
If you're looking at one or two isolated problems like a few rotted boards or some loose fasteners, then repair may be your best option. But if you're constantly patching things, if the repair list keeps growing, or if the structural problems are extensive, replacement is the ideal investment to make.
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 a deck professional:
- 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?
At Archadeck of Central Iowa, we can evaluate your deck and give you transparent answers about whether you need to replace or repair. And if you end up needing a replacement, then our Des Moines deck builders can design one that's custom-built for your property and your lifestyle.
Want to do more research before you call? Download our free design guide to see what’s possible with modern deck-building techniques. You can also read our guide on choosing a deck contractor to understand what to look for when hiring help.
It would be our distinct pleasure to meet with you for a no-obligation complimentary design consultation. Call Harold Cross and his team at 515-203-8734, or contact us using our online form.
