Story of a Homeowner's Deck Page 3

Story of a Homeowner's Deck

What we did to save the homeowner $40,000!

We saved this desperate homeowner $40,000. It took us 4 days.


First we used a solution of sodium hypochlorite and water to pressure wash the entire under structure of the deck… floor joists, beams and support posts. This removed the surface fungus. Next we used an ice pick to determine which floor joists were so rotted that they needed to be replaced… twelve (12) all together.  The ice pick went clear through the top of the joist from one side to the other.  Then we removed the screws fastening the Trex deck boards to those decayed joists. Some screws came out easily while others were stubborn and needed a special tool to remove them. We then removed the rotted pressure treated joists. See photos below. 

Replaced 12 rotten joists
Rotten Joists Replaced with New

Next we replaced them with new joists (crowns up) and used a backpack battery sprayer to soak all surfaces of the Pressure Treated substructure (new and old joists) with a product called Deep Wood Fungus Killer which we sell and apply that penetrates deeply into the wood, killing bacteria and fungus as it soaks in.  This is an essential step because the remaining floor joists contain fungus that will continue to rot the Pressure Treated wood unless it is destroyed. 






Next we used the same sprayer to soak all the surfaces of the new and old framing with StoneWood… a product we sell and install that soaks into the first few layers of wood to provide a “once and done” internal wood sealer that will never oxidize, peel or burn off due to UV rays. It is a crystalline material that prevents fungus from penetrating the wood similar to how mold cannot penetrate the glass on a window. It never needs to be reapplied. Once and done.

Applying Stonewood to floor joists, old and new

Applying Stonewood to beams and support posts

Reattaching decking

Used longer screws for better job

StoneWood is also a critical step because the new and old PT wood will attract fungus on the outside of the boards which will eat through the boards within a few years unless a permanent barrier is established to prevent this from happening. Finally we bought and installed new stainless steel screws ½” longer than the old screws to insure that the decking had a good “bite” into the joists. Originally this deck cost $25,000 ten years ago. If a contractor had taken it all down (which is a typical contractor proposal) and rebuilt exactly what is there, the total would be north of $40,000 given the inflation occurring over the last decade. We saved them a bunch of money. The homeowners were thrilled... and could finally heave a giant sigh of relief.

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