Deck Repair in Bobcaygeon, ON

Catching Deck Rot Early Near Pigeon and Sturgeon Lakes

A lake deck gets wet from above and below. Rain and snow sit on the boards, and if the deck is low to the ground near the shore, the soil under it can stay damp well into summer. The top boards often look fine while the joists and posts underneath are softening. That's why we get under the deck before quoting. Pedro probes the framing, checks the ledger where the deck meets the cottage and looks at the footings.

Freeze-thaw adds its own wear. Water gets into checks and nail holes, freezes, and opens them a little wider each winter. Fasteners back out and railing posts start to rock. On a cottage that's closed for the season, nobody sees it happening until the first long weekend. Deck board replacement usually costs $15 to $30 per board depending on the material, and new railings run about $20 to $50 per linear foot.

Some decks are worth saving and some aren't. If the framing is sound, new boards and a fresh finish can buy you years. If the joists are soft or the posts have rotted at grade, a rebuild is usually the better spend, and a full 10x12 pressure-treated rebuild typically runs $3,000 to $7,000. We plan the job so it's finished in as few trips as possible, with materials and steps worked out before the first board comes up.

Pedro handles deck repairs, board replacement, railings and new deck builds. For how he approaches deck repair in general, see our deck repair & building page.