Decks

Eventually, time, weather, and wear take their toll on decks. Worse, your aging decks may be damaging your building envelope.

  • The transition where your deck attaches to the exterior wall is notoriously vulnerable to water penetration. Decks are typically fastened to buildings using a piece of lumber called a ledger board. If the flashing around the ledger board has failed, rain, snow, and ice are able to find their way into your home.
  • Correcting failed deck flashing is complicated. To do the job right, the deck must be removed from the building so that all components (deck, ledger board, siding, sheathing, and sliding doors) can be flashed properly. Removing, repairing, and re-attaching an existing deck is possible, but it is also expensive.
  • Aging decks can also develop safety and liability hazards that must be addressed. Typical “red flag” hazards include: concrete footings that are failing; support posts that are bowed or cracked; and steps and railing systems that do not meet current building codes.
  • Replacing aging decks using low-maintenance materials often makes more financial sense than paying for extensive repairs and future maintenance.
  • For even greater savings, replace your decks in conjunction with a siding replacement project. Your budget will benefit from reduced labor costs — crews will already be onsite — and it is much easier to assure that your new decks are attached and flashed as an integral part of your siding system.

SPS is a very professional company, easy to work with, and performs quality work. Everyone is driven by client focused solutions. They rely on each other and work as a team to execute what they do best —  highest-value, long-term solutions. As a condominium community, we could not be more fortunate to have SPS supporting us.

Board Member
Riverbend Condominium Trust

Download our Community Planning Guide: Do the Math on Your Aging Decks

Three factors to consider for structural integrity, safety, and long-term savings

Decking is one of the key components of an integrated building envelope system.