What the desert does to a wood deck
Tucson is hard on decks. Strong sun dries and grays the wood, finishes break down, and boards start to check, split and cup. Then monsoon storms soak everything, and the wood dries out again in the heat. Over the years, that cycle loosens fasteners, opens up cracks where water gets in, and starts rot in the places that stay damp longest.
AZ Atlas Builder Group is a family-owned, licensed general contractor in Tucson (AZ ROC #344537). We build new decks and repair existing ones, and because our own crew does framing and structural work, we look past the boards to what's holding the deck up.
Common deck problems we repair
Sun-damaged and split boards
Surface cracking is normal on older boards. Deep splits, cupped boards that hold water, and boards that flex underfoot are not. If the framing underneath is sound, replacing damaged boards and refinishing can add years to the deck.
Loose or wobbly railings
A railing that moves when you lean on it is a safety problem, not a cosmetic one. It's usually a post that has loosened at its connection to the deck framing, or rot at the base of the post. We fix the connection properly rather than adding another screw.
Rot at posts, joists and stairs
Rot starts where water sits: post bases touching soil or concrete, the tops of joists under the boards, stair stringers, and the ledger board where the deck attaches to the house. Probing with a screwdriver usually tells the story. Soft wood that gives way needs replacing.
Ledger and attachment issues
On an attached deck, the ledger board carries half the load. If water has been getting behind it, both the deck and the wall of the house can be damaged. Flashing and proper fastening matter here.
Termite damage
Wood in contact with soil is an easy target for subterranean termites. If we find mud tubes or hollow wood, have a licensed pest company treat first, then we repair. See our termite and wood rot repair page.
Signs your deck needs attention now
- A railing or post that moves when you push on it
- Boards that feel soft or bounce underfoot
- Stairs that rock, or treads that are split
- Gaps opening between the deck and the house
- Rusty or popped fasteners and hardware
- Dark, soft or crumbling wood at the post bases
Any of these is worth a look before someone gets hurt or the damage spreads.
Repair or rebuild?
We'll give you a straight answer. If the posts, beams, joists and ledger are solid, repairing boards, railings and stairs is usually the better value. If rot or termite damage has spread through the framing, patching it can cost nearly as much as rebuilding and still leave weak spots. Then a rebuild, sometimes reusing the footings, is the honest recommendation. Either way, you get a written estimate that says what we found and what we'd do.
Permits
In the City of Tucson, the permit exemptions page says a permit is required for any deck more than 30 inches above the ground. A deck 30 inches or lower may not need one, as long as it isn't over a floor below, isn't on an accessible route or required exit, and doesn't extend into required setbacks. Whether a repair needs a permit depends on what is being replaced, so we check with the right office before structural work. Pima County and the towns of Oro Valley, Marana and Sahuarita set their own rules.
Keeping a repaired deck in good shape
- Refinish exposed wood regularly. The sun breaks finishes down quickly here.
- Keep irrigation from spraying the deck, posts and the house wall.
- Keep soil and mulch away from wood posts and the lowest boards.
- Check railings and stairs each year, and again after monsoon season.
- Clear leaves and debris from between boards so water can drain.
Thinking about adding shade at the same time? See patio covers and pergolas.