Homeowner answers
Decks
Designing, building, repairing and maintaining decks in North County San Diego.
20 answers, newest first RSS feed
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What should a deck proposal or estimate include before I sign anything?
A good deck proposal is specific enough that two builders reading it would build the same deck. It should name the decking product, color and fastener system…
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How do I know if my deck has wood rot or termite damage?
Rot shows as wood that is dark, soft, spongy or crumbly when probed, often with a musty smell and a finish that peels or bubbles above it; it concentrates…
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How do I check whether my deck is safe?
Once a year, walk the deck and get under it with a flashlight and a screwdriver. Probe the ledger, joist ends, post bases and stair stringers for soft wood…
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Should I resurface my old deck with new boards or tear it down and rebuild?
Resurface if the frame is sound, connected to the house and footings, and can be brought to the joist spacing your new decking needs. Rebuild if the ledger is…
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What should I do about the fascia and the open space under my deck?
Fascia is the trim board that covers the outer rim joist and the cut ends of the decking; skirting is whatever closes the space between the deck and the…
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Which way should deck boards run, and what is picture framing?
Deck boards usually run parallel to the house, so the lines lead the eye along the deck and the joists can run straight out from the ledger. Running boards…
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How often should I clean, seal or stain my deck in Carlsbad?
Wash every deck once or twice a year with a soft brush and mild cleaner. For wood decks in our sun, a penetrating oil finish typically needs a fresh coat every…
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How do I keep water and moisture from rotting the underside of my deck?
Give water a way out and air a way in. Slope the ground under the deck away from the house, keep soil and mulch off every post and joist, cap the joist tops so…
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How high does a deck railing need to be in California, and what are the stair rules?
Under the California Residential Code a guard is required where a deck surface is more than 30 inches above grade, and California's amendment sets the minimum…
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Are hidden deck fasteners worth it, or should I just screw the boards down?
For composite and PVC decking, hidden fasteners are worth it almost every time: the boards come grooved for them, the clips set the gap automatically, and you…
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Can I build a low deck over my old concrete patio?
Yes, and it is one of the most satisfying backyard upgrades we do: a cracked or sunken slab becomes a level floor that meets the house. The requirements are a…
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How should deck footings and the ledger board be done so my deck is safe?
The two places decks fail catastrophically are the footings and the ledger. Footings should be poured concrete on undisturbed soil, sized for the load and set…
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What joist spacing does composite decking need, and can I use my old deck frame?
Most composite and PVC decking manufacturers require joists at 16 inches on center when boards run perpendicular to the joists, 12 inches on center for…
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What is the difference between composite and PVC decking, and which is better for San Diego?
Composite decking has a core of wood fiber and plastic, usually wrapped in a protective polymer cap. PVC decking is all plastic with no wood fiber at all. PVC…
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Which wood is best for a deck in Southern California: redwood, cedar, ipe or thermally modified?
For a wood deck near the coast, dense hardwoods like ipe last longest and need the least, but they are heavy, hard to work and must be sourced responsibly…
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How do I plan a deck layout that fits our furniture and gives us shade?
Lay out the deck around the furniture you will actually use, not the square footage. Measure your dining table with chairs pulled out and add a walkway behind…
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Should I build a deck, a patio or a paver courtyard behind my house?
Choose by the ground, not the look. If your back door sits well above the yard or the lot slopes, a deck gets you a level outdoor floor without retaining walls…
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How long does a deck last in North County San Diego?
A well-built deck near the coast typically lasts 15 to 30 years, and the surface and the frame age on different clocks. Pressure-treated framing that is…
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Do I need a permit to build a deck in Carlsbad?
Often, yes. The California Residential Code exempts only small, low, detached decks from a building permit: generally those under 200 square feet, no more than…
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Is composite or wood decking better for a coastal home in Carlsbad?
For most homes within a few miles of the coast in Carlsbad and North County, a quality capped composite is the lower-maintenance choice: it will not rot, split…
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