Deck Building and Repair

How a New Deck Is Built

1. Walkthrough and plan. We look at the yard, the slope and the door the deck will serve, then talk about size, shape, stairs and how you plan to use it.
2. Permit and layout. Most new decks need a permit. We lay out the footings so the structure meets the requirements for your address.
3. Footings and posts. Footings carry the weight to the ground. Georgia’s red clay and sloped lots make this step matter.
4. Framing and ledger. The frame is built and, where the deck meets the house, the ledger is flashed and fastened with proper structural fasteners, not just nails. A poorly attached ledger is the most serious failure point on a deck.
5. Decking, stairs and railings. Boards go down, stairs are framed, and guards and handrails are built to code.
6. Finish and cleanup. We check fasteners and edges, clean up the site and walk the finished deck with you.

Choosing Materials

Pressure-treated pine, cedar and composite decking are the three common choices around here. Pressure-treated pine is the most common and needs regular sealing. Cedar looks warm and resists rot better than untreated wood. Composite needs less upkeep than wood, though it is not maintenance-free. The right choice depends on how you use the deck and how much upkeep you want. We will talk it through with you.

Repair or Replace?

Many decks can be repaired. Signs that call for a closer look:

• Soft or spongy boards, especially near the house and at post bases
• Wobbly railings or stairs
• Rusted or loose fasteners and connectors
• Cracks or gaps where the deck meets the house
• Posts that rock or lean

If the frame and ledger are sound, replacing boards and railings and refinishing the surface is often enough. If the framing or ledger is rotted, the deck needs structural repair or replacement, and we will tell you which.

Codes, Permits and Safety

Building codes generally require guardrails on decks that are more than 30 inches above the ground, at a minimum height of about 36 inches, with openings small enough that a child cannot pass through, around 4 inches. Stairs have their own rules for rise, run and handrails. Permit rules differ between cities and counties, and your local building department has the final say. We can walk through what applies at your address.

What Shapes the Scope and the Schedule

• Size, height off the ground and the number of stairs
• Soil and slope at the site
• The material you choose and how long it takes to arrive
• Whether you are replacing an old deck or building on a new spot
• Weather, which affects both construction and staining
• Permit and inspection timing in your area

What a Typical Deck Job Looks Like

This is a typical scenario, not a description of one customer’s job. A homeowner has a deck that is twelve years old. The boards are gray and splintering, a couple are soft, and the railing moves when someone leans on it. After a walkthrough, the frame and ledger are checked first. If they are sound, the worn boards and railing are replaced, the stairs are secured, and the whole surface is cleaned and sealed. The deck is usable again without a full rebuild.

Deck FAQs

Do I need a permit to build a deck?

In most places, yes, for a new deck or major structural work. Rules differ by city and county, so check with your local building department or ask us.

How often should a wood deck be sealed?

Every year or two is common in Georgia’s sun and humidity, depending on the wood and the product. A good rule is to re-seal when water stops beading on the boards.

Can you add a pergola or shade structure to an existing deck?

Often yes, provided the deck framing can carry the added load. We check the structure first.

Can you repair part of a deck?

Yes. If the framing and ledger are sound, boards, railings and stairs can be replaced without rebuilding the whole deck.

Decks and Outdoor Work near You

Deck repair also comes up in our handyman articles for Marietta, Woodstock and Kennesaw. Decks are part of our remodeling services, and smaller outdoor fixes are part of our home repair services.

Tell us what you have in mind on the contact page or call 706-969-5774. Jim Mitchell and the crew will look at the job and give you an estimate.