That's a fair point—surface checks alone definitely won't catch everything. I've flipped a few houses where the decks looked great at first glance, but once we got underneath, it was a different story. Joist rot and moisture damage can sneak up on you pretty quickly. Curious though, do you think the deck's age or the local climate makes a bigger difference in how often you should inspect underneath? Seems like humidity and rainfall could really speed things up...
"Seems like humidity and rainfall could really speed things up..."
Yeah, climate definitely plays a big role. I flipped a house in Florida once, and even a relatively new deck had some nasty surprises underneath due to constant moisture. Makes me wonder if treated lumber makes enough difference long-term...?
I've wondered the same thing about treated lumber. A few years back, I built a deck using pressure-treated wood, thinking I was set for at least a decade. Fast forward about four years and I noticed some soft spots and discoloration, especially near the edges where rainwater tends to sit. Did some poking around underneath, and sure enough—those boards weren't looking nearly as solid as I'd expected. Had to replace a couple already, and now I'm paranoid enough to check underneath every spring.
Makes me curious—does anyone here actually re-seal or stain their decks regularly? I admit I'm guilty of letting it slide longer than I probably should. I've heard that regular sealing can make a huge difference, but is it really worth the hassle and expense if the climate is constantly damp anyway? Or is composite decking the only real long-term solution in humid climates...?
- Regular sealing definitely helps, even in damp climates—slows down moisture penetration.
- Composite decking is pricier upfront but saves headaches long-term.
- Checking every spring isn't paranoid, it's smart. Better safe than sorry with decks...
I usually do a quick once-over in spring too, but honestly, after big storms is when I find the sneaky issues pop up—loose boards, wobbly railings, stuff like that. Anyone else notice more problems after weather events?
