FirstCheck
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🍁 Conçu pour les foyers canadiens — rédigé selon les codes canadiens et les règles provinciales. N’est pas destiné à un usage hors du Canada.
ÉBAUCHE — cette page n’a pas encore été révisée par un professionnel licencié. Aperçu éditorial seulement.

A deck board feels soft or spongy underfoot

One soft board is often a simple swap — but because soft wood means rot, it's worth a quick check that the framing underneath is still sound.

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In Canadian homes, start by finding out how far the softness goes. If just one board feels spongy and the framing under it is firm, that board has surface rot — probe it with a screwdriver, then replace the single plank. Check the boards on either side while you're there.

Classé selon des données de pannes réelles. L’ordre s’ajuste selon vos observations ci-dessus.

Causes probables, dans l’ordre à vérifier

Ordre typique affiché
Pour débutant Faisable, avec soin Sécurité critique Appelez un pro

visibilityHow to check

warning Check the framing, not just the boardA soft board can be hiding rotten framing. Before you spend time replacing a plank, probe the joist beneath it and the area around it — if the structure is soft, this stops being a DIY board swap and becomes a contractor job for your safety.
  1. Press a screwdriver or awl firmly into the soft spot. Sound wood resists; rot lets it sink in easily or crumble.
  2. Probe the boards on either side and, if you can reach underneath, the joist below — you want to know whether the rot is just the one board or the framing too.
  3. If only the surface board is soft and the joist under it is firm, it's a single-board replacement. If the joist is soft, stop and treat it as structural.
buildscrewdriver schedule10 min

handymanHow to fix it

Once you've confirmed the joist below is sound, unscrew and remove the rotted board, cut a matching pressure-treated (or composite) replacement to length, and fasten it down with corrosion-resistant deck screws, leaving a small drainage gap.

  1. Confirm the joist under the board is firm (probe it). If it's soft, stop — this is structural.
  2. Unscrew or pry up the rotted board and remove any old fasteners left in the joist.
  3. Cut a matching pressure-treated or composite board to length and set it with the same small gap to its neighbours for drainage.
  4. Fasten with exterior/corrosion-resistant deck screws into each joist; seal cut ends of pressure-treated lumber with an end-cut preservative.
schedule45 min savings$15–60
Replacement deck boardMatch the width, thickness, and material (pressure-treated or composite) of your existing boards Corrosion-resistant deck screwsRated for exterior / pressure-treated lumber
gavel Vérifiez d’abord votre province AB: permis et inspection requis · BC: permis et inspection requis · ON: permis et inspection requis · PE: permis et inspection requis · QC: permis et inspection requis
Replacing a single surface board is routine homeowner maintenance.

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Rotted joists, a failing ledger, or a bad post/footing carry the whole deck and the people on it. These are assessed and repaired by a qualified contractor — often with a permit — not patched from above. Keep the deck clear until it's been checked.

Vos notes accompagnent la demande — ce que vous avez vu, ce que vous avez éliminé, quand ça a commencé — pour que le pro arrive avec une longueur d’avance.

verifiedPourquoi confier ceci à un pro

Rotted joists, a failing ledger, or a bad post/footing carry the whole deck and the people on it. These are assessed and repaired by a qualified contractor — often with a permit — not patched from above. Keep the deck clear until it's been checked.

Vos notes accompagnent la demande — ce que vous avez vu, ce que vous avez éliminé, quand ça a commencé — pour que le pro arrive avec une longueur d’avance.

verifiedPourquoi confier ceci à un pro

Rotted joists, a failing ledger, or a bad post/footing carry the whole deck and the people on it. These are assessed and repaired by a qualified contractor — often with a permit — not patched from above. Keep the deck clear until it's been checked.

Vos notes accompagnent la demande — ce que vous avez vu, ce que vous avez éliminé, quand ça a commencé — pour que le pro arrive avec une longueur d’avance.

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Pourquoi la liste est dans cet ordre

Nous ne classons pas seulement selon la probabilité. Nous classons comme le ferait un bon artisan honnête : éliminer d’abord les causes gratuites, sûres et courantes. C’est pourquoi les vérifications peu coûteuses passent avant les réparations chères — et pourquoi tout ce qui est dangereux reçoit un arrêt net plutôt qu’un encouragement. Cet ordre existe pour vous faire économiser, pas pour vous vendre quelque chose.