Deck repair in Chattanooga, TN: backyard deck with white railing

Decks · Hixson & Chattanooga, TN

Deck Repair Chattanooga, TN

Soft boards, loose rails and wobbly stairs fixed before a small repair becomes a rebuild or an injury.

Based in Hixson, TN●English & Spanish lines

Get A Free Quote Call Now (786) 503-1571

Deck repair in Chattanooga is often a question of timing. A few soft boards are a small fix. A rotted joist, a rusted-out fastener or a pulled-away ledger is a safety problem. The difference between the two is usually how long the deck was left alone, and in this humid climate wood does not need long.

Water is the cause of most deck failures: it sits in the gaps, pools at the post bases and wicks up from the ground. Boards that look sound on top can be soft underneath, and fasteners that have rusted out can leave rails holding on by habit. We check the structure, not just the surface.

If the damage is limited, we repair and reinforce it. If the framing has failed, we will tell you honestly, and we can build a new deck instead. For that see deck building.

Signs Your Deck Needs Repair

Boards that are soft, spongy or splitting, especially near the ends or at post bases.
A deck that bounces, shakes or sways when you walk or lean on it.
Rails or balusters that move when you push on them.
Stairs that feel loose, with treads that shift or stringers that have rotted at the bottom.
Rusted, pulled or protruding fasteners that catch bare feet.
Gaps or stains where the deck meets the house, which can mean the ledger is letting in water.

How We Repair a Deck

Inspect from above and belowWe check the surface boards and then the joists, beams, posts, ledger and fasteners underneath.
Sort repair from replaceIsolated boards can be swapped. Failed framing or a bad ledger is a bigger fix, and we will explain which you have.
Replace and reinforceRotted members come out, and new lumber, hangers and fasteners go in. Weak connections are strengthened.
Secure stairs and railsStringers, treads, posts and rails are re-fastened or rebuilt so they hold weight and lean loads.
Cleanup and adviceWe leave the deck solid and suggest how to keep water from collecting again.

What Determines Deck Repair Cost

Repair costs depend on how deep the damage goes.

Surface vs. structureReplacing boards is much simpler than replacing joists, beams or posts.

Access under the deckLow or enclosed decks take more labor to work under.

Stair and rail conditionFailing stairs and rails can involve full replacement rather than patching.

Cause of the damageFixing a drainage or flashing problem adds scope but keeps the damage from returning.

Why Call TrueCraft for Deck Repair

We build decks and frame houses, so we can tell the difference between a cosmetic fix and a structural one, and we will not sell you a rebuild you do not need or a patch you cannot trust.

Call the Spanish line or the English line and tell us what you are seeing. Photos help.

Where We Do This Work

Deck repair is a common call in Hixson, Soddy-Daisy and the other wooded, shaded neighborhoods north of Chattanooga, where decks stay damp longer. We also repair decks in the city itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my deck is safe?

Look for soft or cracked wood, wobbling rails and stairs, rusty hardware and a ledger that has pulled away from the house. If you are not sure, call us to check.

Can I just replace the boards?

If the framing underneath is sound, yes. New boards on rotted joists only hide the problem.

Why does my deck bounce?

Bounce often comes from joists that are too long, too far apart or have lost strength to rot, or from weakened connections at the beam and posts.

Should I repair or replace an old deck?

If the framing is sound, repair is usually more economical. If the structure has widespread rot or an unfixable ledger problem, replacement is the safer choice.

Can you fix rails that have come loose?

Yes. We re-fasten, brace or rebuild rails and posts so they hold when someone leans on them.