How can I repair the cracks and splinters on my covered patio deck in a 7-year-old townhouse in BC, Canada, where I can’t remove or redo anything?
Asked by Eric Rodriguez 
7 months ago
Last Updated: June 6, 2024
Hey there, do you have any tips on how to repair these wood cracks and splinters popping up on my patio deck? It’s covered and the wood is supposed to be pressure treated, but there’s no finish or sealant on it. I live in BC, Canada, in a 7-year-old townhouse that’s part of a strata, so I can’t make any big changes. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Unfortunately, that’s a natural process with wood, especially with older decks. Trying to sand them down may lead to hitting screw heads and more issues. Sealing them might help delay the process, but won’t prevent it completely.
Sand the surface smooth, apply stain, and then seal it. Typically needs to be redone every few years depending on your location
Pull it, try flipping it over if you can
It’s pretty crucial to regularly seal the deck. Some products recommend every 3 years, while others say 5 years. It helps prevent deterioration.
The images are too zoomed in, hard to see what’s really happening here
I personally prefer wood over composite, so if I were to replace mine today, I’d choose wood
I either flip them over or replace them with new ones. I’m thinking of doing about 6 per year on my deck that surrounds my pool. Yes, I understand I should just upgrade to composite.