Chester-le-Street
A County Durham town on the Wear, with older terraces, family estates and plenty of clay. Damp is the thing we check for first.
Local notes
Gardens on low ground or heavy clay stay wet for long spells. A deck that can't breathe underneath will show it: staining, mould at the edges and a frame that softens.
What we see
What you see
Green or dark patches along the edges and in shaded spots.
Why it happens
No airflow under the deck and leaves trapped against walls.
How we fix it
Open up ventilation gaps around the edges and clear trapped debris; clean the boards to suit their range.
What you see
Boards dipping or clips no longer holding.
Why it happens
Untreated or untaped joists sitting close to wet ground.
How we fix it
Replace the soft timber with treated joists, add joist tape and lift the frame clear of the ground.
Checklist
| Item | What we're looking for |
|---|---|
| Airflow | Gaps around the edges |
| Frame height | Clear of wet ground |
| Timber | Treated and taped |
Q&A
Often, depending on the board range. We'll fix the cause first so the marks don't come back.
Yes, across County Durham.
See also
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