Deck Repair & Restoration

When Your Deck Needs Attention

Your deck takes a beating from the weather. Sun, rain, snow, ice, and humidity all work together to break down wood and wear out materials. In Smyrna, TN, where we get hot summers and unpredictable winters, decks age faster than in milder climates. If your deck is looking tired or showing signs of damage, you are not alone. Most wood decks need some level of repair or restoration every few years.

The good news is that many deck problems are fixable without tearing everything down and starting over. Loose boards, faded stain, wobbly railings, and minor rot can often be addressed with targeted repairs. The key is catching issues early before small problems turn into safety hazards or major expenses.

Here are some signs your deck needs professional attention:

• Boards that feel soft or spongy when you walk on them
• Visible cracks, splits, or splintering in the decking or railings
• Loose or missing fasteners creating gaps between boards
• Posts or railings that wobble or feel unstable
• Dark stains or discoloration that could indicate rot or mold
• Peeling, flaking, or completely worn-off finish
• Rusty nails or screws that have stained the wood
• Sagging areas or uneven surfaces

If you notice any of these issues, it is time to have your deck inspected. We provide free assessments where we look at the overall structure, identify problem areas, and recommend solutions. Learn more about our quality standards.

Common Deck Repairs We Handle

Every deck is different, but certain problems come up again and again. We have seen and fixed just about every deck issue you can imagine. Here is what we do most often:

• •
  Board replacement: Individual boards that have rotted, cracked, or warped beyond repair need to be removed and replaced. We match the wood species and cut new boards to fit perfectly. If your deck is older and the wood has weathered, we can often find reclaimed lumber that blends in better than fresh wood.
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  Joist repair and sistering: Joists are the support beams under your deck boards. When they rot or sag, we can sister new joists alongside the damaged ones to restore strength without rebuilding the entire frame.
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  Post and beam reinforcement: Wobbly posts are dangerous. We secure them properly, replace posts that have rotted at the base, and make sure connections are solid.
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  Railing repair and replacement: Loose railings are a safety issue, especially if you have kids or elderly family members. We tighten connections, replace damaged sections, and bring railings up to current code if needed.
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  Stair repair: Stairs take more abuse than the deck itself. Treads wear out, stringers crack, and hardware loosens. We rebuild stairs to be safe and solid.
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  Ledger board issues: The ledger board attaches your deck to your house. If it is pulling away or has rotted, your entire deck is at risk. This is a critical repair we take very seriously.

We also handle smaller fixes like replacing popped nails with proper screws, filling large cracks with wood filler, and repairing cosmetic damage. No job is too small if it improves the safety or appearance of your deck.

Full Deck Restoration

Sometimes your deck does not need major structural repairs, but it looks terrible. The wood has grayed, the old stain is peeling, and the whole thing looks neglected. This is where restoration comes in. We can take a deck that looks like it belongs in a demolition yard and make it look brand new again.

Our restoration process includes several steps:

• 1.
  Power washing: We start by removing all the dirt, mold, mildew, and old finish. This reveals the actual condition of the wood and gives us a clean surface to work with. We use the right pressure settings to clean without damaging the wood fibers.
• 2.
  Wood brightening: After cleaning, we apply a wood brightener that neutralizes the cleaning solution and restores the wood's natural color. This step makes a huge difference in how the final finish looks.
• 3.
  Sanding and repairs: We sand down rough spots, splinters, and any areas where the old finish did not come off completely. We also make any needed repairs at this stage.
• 4.
  Staining or sealing: We apply a high-quality stain or sealant that protects the wood and brings out its natural beauty. You choose the color and finish, and we make sure it is applied evenly and properly.

The entire restoration process usually takes a few days, depending on the size of your deck and the weather. When we are done, your deck looks and feels like new. See our deck staining and sealing services for more details on finishes.

Why Structural Integrity Matters

A deck that looks bad might just need a good cleaning and fresh stain. But a deck with structural issues is dangerous. We never skip the structural assessment, even when you call us for a simple restoration job. Your safety is more important than making your deck look pretty.

During our inspection, we check the foundation, posts, beams, joists, ledger board attachment, and all connections. We look for rot, insect damage, and metal fatigue. We make sure everything meets current building codes. If we find problems, we explain them clearly and give you options for fixing them.

Sometimes the repairs we find are minor and inexpensive. Other times, the damage is extensive enough that replacement makes more financial sense than repair. We are always honest about what we find and what we recommend. We want you to make informed decisions based on facts, not fear or sales pressure.

Repair vs Replacement Decision

One of the most common questions we get is whether to repair an old deck or tear it down and build new. The answer depends on several factors. If your deck has good bones but needs cosmetic work, repair and restoration make sense. If the structure is compromised in multiple places, or if more than 40% of the boards need replacing, rebuilding might be your better option.

Age matters too. A deck that is five or ten years old and showing wear is a great candidate for restoration. A deck that is twenty-five years old with rotted joists, loose posts, and outdated railings might cost almost as much to repair as to replace, and you still end up with an old deck.

We help you think through these decisions by providing detailed estimates for both repair and replacement. We show you what each option gets you and what the long-term outlook is. Sometimes we recommend a hybrid approach, keeping the good parts and rebuilding the bad sections. Learn about our deck replacement services if you are considering a full rebuild.

• Repairs typically cost 30% to 60% less than replacement
• Restoration can extend deck life by 5 to 10 years or more
• Major structural repairs sometimes approach replacement costs
• Energy and material waste is lower with repair when feasible

Tennessee Weather and Deck Damage

Tennessee's climate is tough on decks. We get high humidity that promotes mold and rot. We get intense summer sun that dries out wood and breaks down finishes. We get winter freeze-thaw cycles that crack boards and loosen fasteners. And we get storms that leave standing water on deck surfaces.

In Smyrna, we also deal with the red clay soil that holds moisture and puts pressure on deck foundations. These local conditions mean decks here need more attention than they might in drier or more temperate areas. Regular maintenance and timely repairs are not optional if you want your deck to last.

We have been repairing and restoring decks in this area long enough to know what works and what does not. We use materials that stand up to Tennessee weather. We apply finishes that resist our specific climate challenges. And we build repairs to last, not just to look good for a season.

Preventing Future Damage

After we repair or restore your deck, you want to keep it in good shape. The best way to avoid expensive repairs down the road is to stay on top of basic maintenance. Sweep your deck regularly to remove debris that traps moisture. Clean off mildew and mold as soon as you see it. Keep plants and bushes trimmed back so air can circulate underneath.

Reapply stain or sealant every two to three years, or whenever water stops beading up on the surface. This single step prevents most of the problems we see. Tighten loose screws and replace any rusty fasteners before they fail completely. And if you notice something that does not look right, call us before it becomes a bigger issue.

Frequently Asked Questions