A composite board that lifts, bows or rattles is usually telling you something about the frame underneath. We find out what, and fix that.
Common faults
What we repair
Each one has a cause. Here's what we see, why it happens and how we put it right.
1
Boards lifting or bowing
What you see
Board ends curling up at joints, or boards arching between joists.
Why it happens
Most often the joists are further apart than the board maker allows, or the boards were butted tight with no end gap, so there's nowhere to go when they warm up and expand.
How we fix it
We lift the affected run, add joists or noggins to bring the spacing in line with the maker's figure, re-cut the ends with the correct gaps and refix. Bowed boards that won't settle are replaced.
2
Bouncy or sagging deck
What you see
The deck flexes underfoot, dips in places or knocks when you walk across it.
Why it happens
Joists that are too small for their span, too few posts, posts sitting on soft ground, or missing noggins and blocking between joists.
How we fix it
We open up the deck in the problem area, add posts on proper footings, sister or replace joists and add blocking. Boards go back on with new clips.
3
Clips loose or failed
What you see
Boards rattle or shift sideways, clips poking out of the grooves, or screws backing out.
Why it happens
The wrong clips for the board, screws driven into soft or rotting joists, or a frame that moves because it was never fixed properly.
How we fix it
We check the joists the clips are screwed into, replace soft timber and refit with the board maker's own clips and fixings.
4
Gaps closing up or opening wide
What you see
Some gaps have disappeared and others are wide enough to lose a phone down.
Why it happens
Boards fixed without the maker's spacing, ends fixed rigidly at both ends, or no allowance for seasonal expansion.
How we fix it
We re-space the boards with the correct clips and set the end gaps to the maker's figures for the board length and season.
Our approach
Why we don't just swap the board
If a board has bowed because the joists are 500mm apart and the maker asks for 300mm, a new board on the same frame will bow too. That's why every repair starts by looking under the deck.
You get a written note of the cause and the fix before we start, so you know what you're paying for and why.
Fig. 1Checking joist centres against the board maker's figure before any boards go on
Q&A
Questions
Q1Can you match my existing boards?
Often, if the range is still made. If it isn't, we'll suggest a close colour, or use the new boards in one area such as the steps or border so the difference looks intended.
Q2How long does a repair take?
Small fixes such as refitting clips or re-spacing a run of boards are often done in half a day. Frame repairs that mean lifting boards usually take one to three days.
