Deck repair and replacement in Bozeman
Some decks need a handful of new boards. Others look fine on top and are failing underneath. A builder's job is to tell you which.
Most deck trouble starts with water that can't drain or dry: melting snow sitting on boards, water behind the ledger, moisture at the bottom of posts and stair stringers. A Bozeman winter adds freeze-thaw cycles and the weight of snow. Looking underneath and probing the wood is the only real way to know how far damage has gone.
What does a builder check?
- Ledger. Is it bolted to the house rather than nailed, and is there flashing above it? Is the wood behind it soft?
- Footings and posts. Have footings heaved or tipped? Are posts sitting on loose blocks or rotting at the base?
- Joists and beams. Sag, splits or rot, especially at joist ends and under board seams. Sag after a big snow year is a warning sign.
- Hardware. Rusty hangers, missing bolts, and connectors not rated for treated lumber.
- Surface. Soft or split boards and treads, and loose railing sections.
Repair or replace?
If the frame and footings are sound, swapping boards, treads or a railing section is usually straightforward. If the ledger is rotted, footings have moved, or much of the framing is soft, replacement is often safer and a better use of money than patching. A rebuild also lets you set footings at the depth the city's criteria call for, frame for Bozeman's 46 psf deck snow load, fix an awkward layout, or switch to composite. Larger repairs can need a permit, so ask.
Why do older decks heave and lean?
Some older decks were built with shallow footings or posts set on blocks at the surface. Frozen ground pushes them up unevenly over the years, so the deck tilts, the stairs pull away, or a gap opens at the house. Shims don't fix that. New footings dug below frost usually do.
After a heavy snow or windstorm
Deep snow, sliding roof snow and strong wind can crack rails, bow joists and damage pergola tops. Photograph the damage before anything is moved, and call your insurer before repairs start.
Should you keep using the deck?
Not if a railing moves, stairs rock or the deck is separating from the house. Those are safety problems. Keep people off until a builder has looked, and don't host a crowd on a deck you're unsure about.
Older homes near downtown and campus
Houses in Bozeman's older neighborhoods near Main Street and Montana State University often have decks and porches that were added to or rebuilt more than once. It's common to find several generations of framing in one deck. A careful builder will explain what can stay and what has to go.
We don't quote prices. A builder prices a deck after walking the site, measuring, checking the house wall and the ground, and talking through materials with you. Any number you hear before that visit is a guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can I just replace the deck boards?
Often, if the framing and footings are sound. Have the builder check the ledger, joists and posts first, so new boards don't go on a frame that's failing.
My deck sagged after a big snow. Is it safe?
Treat it as unsafe until someone looks. Sag can mean undersized or damaged framing. Keep people off it and have a builder inspect the joists, beam and footings.
Related services
More background: Bozeman deck guide.
Planning a deck before the next building season?
Call the number above and we'll put you in touch with a deck builder who works in your part of the Gallatin Valley.