With summer approaching, it’s time to start thinking about making sure your deck is ready for another season of barbecues and outdoor fun. These tips can help you decide whether you need decking companies Chicago help.
The first thing you’ll do is take a good look at the entire deck, careful not to overlook any area. Check the boards and see if there is any noticeable damage from the past winter. The sun can fade and warp wooden surfaces, while water will take its toll on wood fibers and cause them to rot.
Next, inspect the vertical posts and footings. A thorough inspection will include the vertical deck posts and the footings. Water can collect at the bottom of wooden posts and around footings. It is important to understand that the transition between the bottom of the post and the footings can cause a few problems.
Now it’s time to check out your horizontal beams and joists underneath your floorboards. The beams, joists, and floorboards below serve as a foundation for your deck. To determine if they are still strong enough to support your deck’s weight, push on them firmly with your hands; if they feel soft or spongy, they need replacing as soon as possible, by expert decking Chicago contractors, before they completely break down and cause an accident.