I run a lot of sales calls with many different types of people, all of whom have very different needs. I often find myself in an appointment with someone who believes they need a whole new deck; often it is with someone who believes they simply need new decking and railing installed over their existing framework. Many of these people really don’t know what the best course of action is for them. And why should they? Deck building is not their area of expertise. That is why they call me.
While there are seldom clearly defined guildelines that will determine whether a reskin is in order, or if a rebuild is necessary, there are some important questions to ask to help determine which option to pursue. So how does one determine which option, reskin or rebuild, is right for them? Let’s take a look at some important determining factors.
The first question I like to ask is this: How does the structure stand up to today’s building codes and practices? If we’re looking at the structure to determine whether we can salvage the framing, we need to answer this question thoroughly. We can do this by asking more questions. What is the size of the footings? Can we determine the footing depth? What are the sizes of the structural posts and joists? Are these framing members undersized or overspanned? If the answers to these questions don’t stack up against current codes and practices, a red flag is raised.
The foundation of a deck is of utmost importance, as it is with any structure. I first determine whether there is evidence of heaving or movement in the structure due to inadequate footings. If there is eveidence of heaving due to frost or unstable soil, new footings are a must.
The next question to ask is: If there is evidence of heaving or structural movement, is it extensive enough that it has compromised the integrity of the framed structure and its attachment to the home? This can be determined by thoroughly inspecting the framing lumber. More specifically, the connections between the framing members and its attachment to the house. Are there framing members that are not securely connected to adjoining members? If so, this is another red flag; it may be time to consider a rebuild.
Next on the list is to inspect the framing for signs of rot and decay. Some rot is very easy to identify. In other cases, you need to take a closer look. If there is clear evidence of deterioration, this is simply one more indicator leading you to a rebuild. If, however, there are no clear signs of rot, it is still prudent to take a closer look. Start by looking for discoloration, fungal growth, and areas that seem to be perpetually wet. In these areas, use a thumbnail or any hard object to test whether the lumber is soft and easily marked. If yes, the lumber may be starting to decay, even if there is no visual evidence of rot.
I need to note that one of the most common questions I am asked is: “My deck is fifteen (or ten, or twenty, or whatever) years old, don’t you think it should be completely replaced?” The answer is, age often tells me nothing. I’ve seen structures that are twenty-five years old that are in perfectly good shape and are great candidates for a reskin/rerail. One of the reasons for this is that prior to 2004 most treated lumber was treated with arsenic which is phenomenal for preserving wood. Health and environmental concerns are the only reasons for which we no longer treat wood with arsenic.
These are all fundamental questions that need to be asked, and answered. Once I have weighed all these factors, I’m ready to make a recommendation to my prospective client, but only after we have talked about all of these issues and any other questions they may have. The purpose in carefully considering all of these questions is to determine what the best course of action is for the client. As owner and operator of 4 Quarters Design & Build, I am not interested in needlessly spending my clients money. It’s quite simple: If the structure is sound, use it; if not, start anew so that the clients’ investment is maximized over the long term. If I believe a structure is not in need of replacement I make sure that it is clearly known. Conversely, if a structure is bad, and a client insists on simply giving their deck a facelift with new decking and railing, I refuse. No one is well served in this scenario. Ultimately, a client has new decking and railing on a structure that will fail long before they can adequately utilize their investment. And my reputation gets a black eye for not convincing them of this. It’s a lose-lose situation.
To summarize, there are three main indicators that will help determine whether your deck is a candidate for a replank/rerail, or if you need to consider building from scratch. First, inspect the footings and foundation to determine if they are sound or if there is evidence to the contrary. Second, inspect the framework and lumber; determine whether the points of connection are sound and also determine if there is evidence of rot and decay. Finally, determine whether the structure has the ability to handle the loads placed upon it. (This is a concern as many of today’s decking products have considerably more weight than traditional deck planks.) This refers back to the issue of code compliancy and the utilization of properly sized/spanned framing lumber.
Whether you are considering a reskin or rebuild, your investment is substantial. Make the most of your investment by determining which scenario is best for you. Hiring a competent, qualified, and honest contractor will take the guesswork away from yo
