What goes wrong on slopes
Water running downhill keeps posts wet, and old decks often had posts buried in soil. Over time they rot, the deck leans or bounces and steps loosen. Balustrades fixed only to boards can become dangerously weak.
Rebuild properly
We take out the old structure, set new posts on concrete pads, add bracing and rebuild the frame with drainage underneath. New boards, steps and guarding complete it.
Level by level
If you have several terraced levels, we can replace them one at a time, spreading the work and cost.
Why hillside decks wear faster
On flat ground, rain drains away from a deck fairly evenly. On a slope it runs down through the garden and under the frame, pooling against posts on the uphill side and behind any wall. Many older decks in Durham were also built with posts concreted straight into the soil, which traps water against the timber. Add shade from neighbouring houses and trees, and the frame can stay damp for most of the year.
Warning signs
Watch for a deck that leans or feels springy, steps that rock, handrails that move and boards that stay green and slippery. If a deck is high off the ground, take any of these seriously and stop using it until it has been checked.
What we look at
At the survey we check posts at ground level, joists and their fixings, bracing, any ledger fixed to the house and the condition of nearby retaining walls. We also look at where water is coming from, because there's little point rebuilding without fixing the drainage.
Making it safer than before
A rebuild is a chance to bring steps and guarding up to current Building Regulations guidance: even risers, handrails on flights and proper balustrades on higher levels.
FAQ
Can a deck on a slope be replaced section by section?
Yes. We plan the order so each section is safe and the levels join neatly.
Will new footings be needed?
Often, if old posts were set in soil. New posts on concrete pads give a far more reliable base.