Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Home Maintenance

How to repair deck boards before you host your next party

By

Having a comfortable outdoor space is great for lounging in the sun, having lunch in the fresh air, and hosting outdoor parties. A spacious, updated deck is a fantastic addition to your home — it’s a multi-use space that can be an entertainment hub or your personal, private oasis. To keep your deck in prime lounging condition, act quickly when the boards start to show their age. By tackling minor issues now, you can prevent more costly repairs down the road.

Wood deck repair is hard work if you’re doing it on your own, but it’s not impossible with the right tools and a bit of DIY experience. With this guide, you’ll learn the best ways to repair deck boards that are damaged, unsafe, or just plain unsightly so you can host your next party with confidence.

Photographee.eu/shutterstock

Repairing cracks on deck boards

Since wood expands and shrinks due to both moisture levels and temperature changes, cracks on your deck boards are inevitable. Cracks are unsightly but they can also be safe, potentially causing injury on bare feet. Luckily, there is a quick and simple fix to repairing minor cracks that are less than 6 inches or so in length. Before beginning the repairs, clean your deck thoroughly. We also recommend staining the deck after the repair is complete to give it a fresh and uniform color.

What you’ll need:

  • Latex wood filler
  • Putty knife

How to repair cracks:

  1. Use the putty knife to fill the crack with wood filler. Smooth it out so the filling is flush against the board.
  2. Allow the putty to dry completely before walking on it or cleaning it.
Recommended Videos

Replacing damaged deck boards

Over time, your deck’s boards can become damaged by water, weather, or even insects. Serious damage can present in the form of rotting pieces of wood or deep, large-sized cracks. If the damage to the board is too extensive to repair, it’s time to replace the entire board.

What you’ll need:

  • Wooden replacement board
  • Hammer
  • Prybar
  • Circular saw or jigsaw
  • Electric drill

How to replace deck boards:

  1. Remove the damaged board by lifting the nails with a hammer and prying it up with a prybar. If you must, you can use a circular saw or jigsaw to carefully cut out the damaged board.
  2. Accurately measure the new board and cut it to size using your circular saw.
  3. Put the new board in place and drill it into the joist. Use the same screw holes to avoid weakening the joist, but use larger screws to be sure the board is securely in place.

Dealing with small damages or stains on deck boards

Whether from spills, scrapes, or other mishaps, small stains and damages can be an eyesore. The good news is, as long as the board is not structurally unsound, you can simply flip the board over to expose the clean underside instead of replacing the entire piece.

What you’ll need:

  • Hammer
  • Prybar
  • Electric drill

How to flip a deck board:

  1. Carefully pull up the piece of board with a hammer and prybar.
  2. Flip it over and drill it into the joist using the same screw holes but larger screws.
deck with railing overlooking woods
Im3rd Media / Unsplash

Tips for keeping your deck pristine

Once you’ve repaired or replaced your damaged or unsightly deck boards, be sure to keep up with your deck’s maintenance and care to prevent future damage or cosmetic issues.

Related

Avoid excessive moisture

Water causes wood to expand, contract, and possibly crack, and it also increases the risk of wood rot. Avoid excessive moisture by redirecting your rain gutters and sprinklers so that they don’t pool onto your deck. Additionally, be sure to move deck furniture around occasionally so that moisture doesn’t get trapped underneath the furnishings.

Allow direct sunlight

Be sure to trim bushes and other foliage to expose the deck to the sun as much as possible so it can evaporate excess moisture.

Sweep frequently

Leaves and other debris, if left sitting on your deck, can decompose and stain your wood. Rotting debris also attracts bugs and mold which can further eat into your deck. Rid your deck of debris as often as possible to keep it stain and bug-free.

Stain and seal your deck periodically

Stain and seal your deck every one or two years to keep it looking fresh and new. Be sure to pressure wash the deck prior to staining to keep it smooth and free of debris.

Paint your deck for a dramatic facelift

Since your deck is exposed to the elements, it will certainly become weathered over time. But, as long as the deck is structurally sound, you can simply give it a paint job so it looks brand new.

Your deck is incredibly convenient for entertaining as well as just spending some time outdoors. If your deck is a high-traffic area, you’ll inevitably start to see damages. Fear not — with these quick fixes, your deck will be looking good as new before you host your next gathering.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks
Contributor
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
7 times you should absolutely choose an eggshell paint finish
Is eggshell paint the perfect finish for your project? Here's when the answer is 'yes'
Couple posing with paint rollers in front of painted white wall

A home remodel is always an exciting project. It's a thrill to be able to reimagine a room and give it a modern, stylish facelift that matches your interior design vision perfectly. Part of the remodeling process, however, is the inevitable task of repainting the space.

While picking out a paint color and a paint brand may seem like a simple choice, there are a lot of variables to consider. One variable is the type of paint finish you need for the space. There are so many varieties of paint finishes -- including matte, flat, high-gloss, and eggshell -- all with different appearances and benefits. To help you out, we're going to discuss seven scenarios when you should definitely go with an eggshell paint finish.

Read more
The December home maintenance checklist everyone needs
Make sure your home is ready for the cold, snow, and ice with this checklist
House with vinyl siding and brick in winter

As those last leaves fall and the pumpkins hit the trashcan, a new season of to-do lists starts to emerge. With the holidays bearing down on you, it's time to start transitioning away from your fall home maintenance checklist and into the winter one. To prevent you from being caught off guard by forgotten winter tasks, we've assembled the perfect December home maintenance checklist that will go a long way in preparing you for the cold months ahead.

Get ready for snow and ice
The most pressing of items on December's to-dos regard bracing for the coming freeze. Being unprepared for snow, ice, and freezing weather can lead to stress, discomfort, and damage to your home. Not to mention it can be downright dangerous. Here are all the things you need to do to prepare for sub-zero temperatures.
Shut off outdoor faucets and store away hoses
Water expands as it freezes, and that's why burst pipes are so common in the winter. When the weather starts creeping toward freezing temperatures, it's time to disconnect your hose and store it away so that it's not punctured or damaged come spring.

Read more
Thinking about installing sliding barn doors? 5 essential questions to ask yourself
Considerations before installing sliding barn doors in your home
Barn door

Sliding barn doors are a trendy, do-it-yourself design upgrade that can really transform your home's aesthetic. In fact, the increased popularity of farmhouse-style homes has made sliding barn doors even more common than ever.

Basically, a sliding barn door is one that you can install anywhere in the home, and it's usually a wood or metal material hung on a sliding track. Instead of opening and closing like a traditional door, it slides to the side and hangs neatly against the wall. People love them because they're space savers, they can easily revamp a space, and they add lots of character to the room. Plus, installing sliding barn doors is pretty simple if you love to do DIY. But before you delve into the trend made famous by Magnolia's Chip and Joanna Gaines, there are a few things you should take into consideration.

Read more