Replacing a rotten deck with A new timber deck and balustrade
A customer called us about replacing a rotten deck in their Auckland property. This customer had been referred to us from another of our clients – and that’s always a great feeling.
The job involved replacing an old deck and building a new timber deck at their rental property in Glenfield, North Shore Auckland.
After the initial viewing and conversation with the client, it was decided the entire rear deck would need replacing as well as side deck and front steps. We agreed that we would try to salvage any reusable existing framing timber during the new deck build.
Replacing a rotten deck
Once the old decking timber was removed we found on closer inspection, that none of the supporting posts had been concreted or screwed into the ground correctly so therefore would need to be completely replaced.
We managed to save some of the framing timber, however the client decided to extend the deck so therefore we would need extra materials. Getting more timber is no problem, but of course does add costs to the project. In this case, the client didn’t mind the additional costs – he just wanted the job done correctly. He also decided to extend the deck to the side in order to make the garden space more usable.
Under the New Zealand Building Code Regulations a balustrade is needed wherever there is a drop of more than a metre. Therefore for this job, due to the height of the deck we installed a balustrade around the deck, and it finished it off nicely.
How to remove old decking timber
We replaced the old decking timber with new wider treated pine timber decking. It took time to remove each panel and some of them were more difficult to remove than others. Patience is required and we recommend gloves and decent, sharp nail removers.
Once we had removed the old boards, we constructed a new gate, new steps to the front door and of course the deck extension to the side garden from the main deck area giving accessibility to the lawn below.
Also, due to the old deck being built tight against the house with no air flow the weather took effect and rotted the lower cedar panels on the house. Fortunately due to my team also being able to do handyman repairs we were able to source the cedar (not cheap) and repair the panels.
The client was very grateful we could project manage the entire build.
Our client loved the end result and appreciated the deck being built in a timely fashion as he was hoping to rent the property ASAP.
No doubt the deck, new gate and steps would add value both to the house as a rental and of course, to its sale value.
