Signs of structural problems include bouncing or swaying when you walk on the deck, gaps between the deck and house, or visible sagging. Surface issues like loose or damaged boards usually don’t affect the underlying structure.
During our inspection, we check the condition of joists, beams, posts, and connections. If the framing is solid, board replacement might be all you need. But if we find rot, insect damage, or failing connections in the structural elements, those issues must be addressed first for safety.
The good news is that many deck problems that look serious are actually surface-level and much less expensive to fix than full structural repairs.