There really is no bad time to think about a new deck. If the snow is flying – you can start getting a new deck designed and order for spring installation. If it’s the fall, you can check to see if your old deck is showing signs of wear and start looking at options. Visit a Marling location and talk to a sales associate about all your decking material and design options. 



If your deck is looking a little worn around the edges and you can’t decide if its time or it can last another rainy spring and hot summer – we'll set you up with six warning signs. We'll also let you know how to maintain your current deck to further your deck's lifespan. 

New decks are built using concrete footings several inches above the ground with special brackets or sleeves to keep the post dry. If your deck is older, there’s a good chance the base of the post is just sitting on the footings or even the ground. This will cause the posts to soak up water and lead to rotting. If the posts are not made of pressure treated wood, there is a greater chance they are getting damaged by water. Posts lose strength as they rot and eventually even every day weight will cause them to buckle or crack.

A shaky railing doesn’t mean your deck is going to collapse, but it is a safety issue especially for seniors or young children. If your railings are attached to the deck with nails, they will come loose. You can replace the nails, but that’s not going to solve your problem long term. New decks generally have the railings attached with carriage bolts with nuts and washers. This securely anchors the railing to the deck without damaging the wood.

A little wood lesson – ledger boards are mounted to the vertical frame of the deck and used to attach the deck to the house or house and garage if you have it wrap that far around. They need to be securely fastened to a structure as a sort of brace and ballast for the deck. Deterioration of the ledger boards can cause the deck to start to ease away from the house and eventually break free from the house.



Deteriorated or No Ledger Flashing

Ledger flashing is what keeps the water from getting between where it is attached to the house and your deck. Its very important that the space between the ledger boards and the structure the deck is attached to is as close to water tight as possible. Even a small water leak can lead to standing water between the deck and your house which will then lead to mold. It can also lead to rot in the rim joists (which are the lateral support frame of the deck) and rot will cause the ledger boards to fall off and then your deck will also fall off.

Do you have deck boards that wobble or “give” when you walk on them? That’s a sign the boards and your decks has seen better days. Over time the boards on the frame can pull apart from each other and twist which then weakens the entire structure.

Some jurisdictions have height-above-grade regulations pertaining to decks as well as deck railing rules. If your deck isn’t up to code, you should consider replacing it.



Options, Options, Options

There are lots of different materials to think about when you are getting a new deck. Sometimes price will drive your decision and sometimes aesthetics will. Marling locations have materials for you to look at, including your color options and they can help you with a deck design.



There are some great new deck accessories – matching furniture, storage bins that also double as seating, lighting, railings and even new staircase options. If your idea now of spending quality time with your deck involves washing and staining and not entertaining.



How to Maintain Your Deck

While decks can endure years of abuse from the elements, they are not completely self-reliant. Apart from usual maintenance like sweeping and ridding your deck of debris, there are still some key ways to keep your deck clean and prolong its life. 



• Keep Deck Ventilated — In order to make sure your deck dries quickly and properly, be sure that your deck has at least six inches of unobstructed airflow for proper ventilation. This will allow your material to dry faster and extend its lifespan. 

• Avoid Standing Water — Composite decks are built to withstand water and its coinciding mold and rot. However, minimizing puddles and large amounts of water is always wise with mold seeking out a warm, moist area. It’s best to be safe and clear out these large standing water spots.

• Remove Salt and Dirt Stains — Though some salt and dirt can be merely swept off your deck, the stains they leave behind can be a bit tougher to remove. Just grab a gentle scrubber and use some water and mild soap to clean the stains and then rinse the entire surface area.