Is Your Westfield or Cranford Deck Ready for Summer? 5 Warning Signs It Needs Repair

Before you fire up the grill and invite the neighbors over, check for these five warning signs.

Decks are one of the most-used and most-neglected parts of a home in suburban New Jersey. If you live in Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, or any of the surrounding towns, chances are your deck gets heavy use from May through October and then takes a beating from November through April.

1. Soft or Spongy Boards

Walk your deck slowly and feel for boards that give under your weight more than they should. Then press a flathead screwdriver into suspect areas. If it penetrates easily, the wood is rotting from the inside. Rotting boards are a safety hazard and will only get worse.

2. Loose or Wobbly Railings

Grab every section of railing and give it a firm push. Railings should feel solid and fixed. If they wobble, the connections have loosened, usually from repeated freeze-thaw cycles. This is a safety issue, especially if you have kids or elderly family members.

3. Popped Nails or Raised Screws

Look for nail heads that are sticking up above the surface of the boards. Popped nails are a tripping hazard and also a sign that the boards are moving more than they should. The fix is to pull the old nails and replace them with deck screws.

4. Mold, Mildew, or Green Film

If your deck has a greenish tint or black patches, that's mold and mildew growth from winter moisture. Beyond being unsightly, it makes the surface extremely slippery when wet. Power washing takes care of it, but you should also consider sealing the deck afterward.

5. Faded, Peeling, or Bare Stain

If the stain on your deck has faded to gray or is visibly peeling, the wood is no longer protected from UV and moisture. In the NJ climate, decks should be re-stained or sealed every two to three years.

What About the Structure Underneath?

Don't forget to look under the deck. Check the support posts, joists, and ledger board for signs of rot, insect damage, or shifting. Structural problems are less common but much more serious.