Lynnwood's long wet season is hard on decks. Water gets into the framing and the boards and stays there for months. We find what is failing, explain it in plain terms and fix it so your deck is safe to use again.

Why decks in Lynnwood wear the way they do

Lynnwood gets long stretches of cool, damp weather from fall through spring, so a deck here can stay wet for months at a time. Wood that stays damp grows moss and mildew on the surface. Water also sits where you cannot easily see it: where the ledger board meets the house, on top of the joists under the decking, and around the bottoms of the posts. Summers are usually milder and drier, and that is when most people notice the grey, cracked boards and decide something needs doing.

The homes in Lynnwood vary a lot. On older split-levels and ramblers, the deck has often been added to or rebuilt over the years, sometimes by different people, so the framing does not always match the boards on top. Newer townhomes and infill houses tend to have smaller raised decks off the main floor, where the railing and the attachment to the house matter more than the size of the deck. Many lots slope, and tall posts on the downhill side carry more load and take more weather than short ones.

What to look for, and what usually causes it

The most common call we get is about a soft spot. Push a screwdriver into a board or joist. If it sinks in easily, the wood has started to rot. Other things to watch for are railing posts that move when you push on them, nails or screws working their way out, boards that cup or split, black stains around fasteners, and a gap opening between the deck and the house wall. A deck that bounces more than it used to usually has a problem in the framing, not just the boards.

Rot nearly always starts where water gets trapped. If the flashing above the ledger is missing or has failed, water runs behind the board and into the house framing. Posts set straight into concrete or soil hold moisture at the base. Leaves and needles packed between boards keep them wet long after the rain stops.

Should you repair or replace? If the rot is limited to a few boards or one section of joists, and the ledger and posts are solid, repair usually makes sense. If the ledger is rotted, several posts are soft, or the framing was too light to begin with, new boards on old framing only hide the problem. In that case replacement is usually the honest answer. We will tell you which situation we think you are in and why.

Services available in Lynnwood

We offer all of our services to Lynnwood homeowners. Deck Repair covers loose, damaged or worn boards, stairs and framing. Rot Repair means cutting out decayed joists, beams, posts and boards, replacing them, and fixing whatever let the water in. A Deck Inspection is useful if you are buying or selling a home, or if you just want to know the condition of the structure before the next wet season.

Deck Railing covers repair and replacement of railings, including posts that have worked loose. Deck Staining and Sealing slows down how fast a wood deck soaks up water and grows moss or mildew. Composite Decking is an option if you would rather not sand and stain every few seasons. Deck Replacement is for decks whose framing is no longer worth saving. Deck Building is for a new deck where there was none, or where the old layout no longer works for you.

Emergency Deck Repair is for urgent safety problems, such as a broken stair, a failed railing or a section that has started to sag. We do not offer after-hours service, so we schedule emergency work during our regular hours, as soon as we can get to you. Until then, keep people off the affected area.

What a visit looks like

We start by walking the deck with you and asking what you have noticed. Then we take a closer look. We probe boards, joists and posts for soft wood, check the ledger connection and the flashing above it, test each railing by hand, and look underneath wherever we can reach. On a raised deck we also check the footings and the bottoms of the posts. We take photos as we go so you can see what we saw.

Then we explain what we found in plain language: what is urgent, what can wait, and what is only cosmetic. You get a written estimate for the work. If repair and replacement are both reasonable, we set out both options so you can compare them. Nothing starts until you agree to it.

Timing and how to book

Staining and sealing need dry wood and a few dry days in a row, so in Lynnwood that work is best planned for late spring and summer. Most structural repairs can be done in any season. If you want your deck ready for summer, booking an inspection in late winter or early spring leaves time to plan the work.

To book, call (425) 010-0006, email info@deckrepaireverett.com, or use the Request a Deck Estimate button on this page. Our hours are Monday to Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are closed on Sunday. If you can, send a few photos of the deck and any problem areas when you get in touch. Photos help us understand what we are walking into before the visit.

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Get Started

Tell us what your deck is doing

Call (425) 010-0006 or send a note through the form. Tell us about the deck and what you have noticed, and we will set up a time to look at it.