A Southport property manager asked me to look at a back deck that had started to feel soft underfoot.
With the decking lifted, the problem was clear: several joists had rotted through, and a rotted nailing plate on one side had left the area under the hot water system without proper support. I replaced every rotted joist with new H3 treated pine on new galvanised joist hangers, covered the tops with joist tape to keep moisture out, and sealed the cut ends with timber preservative. The end joist sits where water seeps from the base of the wall, so I clad it in aluminium for extra protection, and four galvanised brackets on concrete footings now support the hot water system area.
The deck boards went back down with deck screws, the deck is solid again, and the property manager received completion photos with the invoice.
How I fix a deck that feels soft
- Lift boards to see what is actually under them.
- Replace rotted joists with H3 treated pine on galvanised hangers.
- Protect the new joists with joist tape and seal every cut end.
- Deal with the water source, such as runoff or a leaking wall base.
- Refix the boards with deck screws and check for any bounce.
Need something similar done in Southport? I’m Dan, a licensed tradesman and former builder with 35+ years in the building industry, and I do every job myself. See my handyman services in Southport, or get a free quote. You can also call Sue on 0435 207 771.
