Outdoor Spaces That Stay Safe and Solid

Deck repair, maintenance, and exterior upgrades for homes in Fairfax, Virginia.

When deck boards flex underfoot or railings feel loose in your Fairfax home, the structure is telling you that fasteners have corroded or wood has started to rot where water sits after rain. Decks in Fairfax take direct sun in summer and freeze-thaw cycles in winter, and both conditions break down the finish and weaken the frame if maintenance is delayed.

BCV House Medics handles deck repairs, board replacement, railing reinforcement, and refinishing that restores safety and curb appeal without tearing down the entire structure. We also apply stain and sealant that protect wood from moisture and UV damage, and we inspect ledger boards where the deck attaches to the house to confirm the connection is still secure. If your deck needs structural work, we replace joists, posts, or beams that have softened or split, and we bring the framing up to current building codes.

If your deck in Fairfax needs repair, inspection, or refinishing, reach out to schedule a visit.

What changes after deck maintenance is finished

Each repair begins with testing boards for soft spots, checking fasteners for rust, and looking under the deck for signs of standing water or insect damage. In Fairfax, we bring impact drivers, deck screws, and replacement boards that match the existing wood species and width so new sections blend with the old.

After the work is complete, boards do not bounce when you walk across them, railings feel firm when you grip them, and stairs sit level without wobbling. The surface is free of splinters, and gaps between boards allow water to drain without trapping leaves or debris.

All new fasteners are galvanized or stainless steel to prevent rust stains, and we countersink screws slightly so they do not catch on bare feet. If we apply stain, the color is even across the entire surface, and the finish repels water rather than letting it soak into the grain. This work also includes cleaning the deck with a pressure washer set to a safe PSI so the wood does not splinter or gouge during prep.

Questions homeowners ask before deck work starts

Most questions focus on how often decks need refinishing, what types of damage require full replacement, and whether composite materials last longer than wood in this climate.

What causes deck boards to turn gray?
UV light breaks down the lignin in wood, which gives it color, and untreated boards turn gray within a few months of exposure. Stain with UV inhibitors slows this process, but the finish needs to be reapplied every two to three years depending on sun exposure.
How do you know if a joist needs to be replaced?
We push a screwdriver into the wood near fastener holes and areas that stay damp. If the blade sinks more than a quarter inch, the wood has softened and cannot support the load safely.
When should I replace the entire deck instead of repairing sections?
You replace it when more than half the boards or joists are damaged, when the ledger board has pulled away from the house, or when the posts have sunk and the frame is no longer level. Repairs work well for localized damage, but widespread rot usually means the structure is at the end of its lifespan.
How long does deck stain take to dry before I can use the deck again?
Oil-based stains dry enough to walk on after twenty-four hours in dry weather, but you should wait forty-eight hours before placing furniture or grills on the surface. Water-based stains dry faster but may require a second coat in Fairfax if the first coat soaks in unevenly.
Why do deck screws back out over time?
Wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity, and this movement loosens screws that were not driven deep enough or that were installed in wood that was too wet. Using screws with coarse threads and predrill pilot holes reduces this problem.

BCV House Medics serves Fairfax and the surrounding region, including Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. If your deck needs inspection, structural repair, or refinishing, contact us to arrange an estimate.