For tiny fixes, I usually just cross my fingers and hope the sun does its thing... but I’ve been burned before.
Yeah, that’s pretty much my approach too, though I’ve definitely regretted it a couple times. I used to think a quick pass with the blower was enough, but after pulling up some old vinyl and finding black spots underneath, I got a lot more cautious. Now if there’s even a hint of musty smell or the wood looks darker than usual, I’ll drag out the moisture meter. Mine was like $20 on Amazon—nothing fancy, but it’s saved me from sealing in dampness more than once.
One thing I started doing (after learning the hard way) is checking the weather forecast before starting any patching or repairs. If there’s a string of sunny days coming up, I’ll leave things open for a bit longer than feels necessary. Sometimes I’ll even prop up the membrane with a couple paint stir sticks just to get some airflow underneath. Not sure if that’s overkill, but it seems to help.
I do wonder if older decking just holds onto moisture more? My neighbor’s place is only a few years old and he never seems to have this issue, but my deck’s pushing 25 years and it’s like a sponge sometimes. Maybe it’s just all those little cracks and crevices that develop over time.
Anyway, I totally get the temptation to just hope for the best, especially when you’re dealing with a small area. But after seeing what hidden dampness can do (mold, soft spots, you name it), I’m way more paranoid now. Curious if anyone’s tried those infrared cameras for spotting wet spots? They look cool but seem kind of pricey for DIY stuff.
I’ve wondered about those infrared cameras too, but honestly, I’m not sure they’d be worth it unless you’re dealing with major leaks or a ton of hidden damage. I’ve seen some folks on YouTube use them for big restoration projects, but for everyday stuff, my cheap moisture meter seems to do the trick. Maybe if you were flipping houses or something, it’d pay off.
About older decks holding moisture—yeah, I think you’re onto something. My place was built in the late 90s and the boards just don’t dry out like newer stuff. I figure all those tiny cracks and nail holes over the years just give water more places to hide. Plus, the wood back then wasn’t treated quite the same way as what they use now.
Have you ever tried using a fan to speed things up? I rigged up a box fan under my porch once after a heavy rain and it actually helped more than I expected. Not exactly pretty, but it got the job done. Makes me wonder if there’s a better way to keep airflow going under old decking without having to tear everything up...
I rigged up a box fan under my porch once after a heavy rain and it actually helped more than I expected. Not exactly pretty, but it got the job done.
That’s hilarious—I did almost the same thing last spring, except I used one of those tiny desk fans because it was all I had on hand. It barely moved any air, but hey, at least it looked like I was trying. My deck’s from ‘98 and those old boards just soak up water like a sponge. Sometimes I wonder if the only real fix is to just replace half the planks, but my wallet says nope.
I get the temptation to just swap out the worst boards, but I always wonder if that’s just kicking the can down the road. Have you ever tried sealing the deck or using one of those thick resurfacing paints? I did a couple coats of sealer on mine a few years back—helped a bit, but honestly, I still get soft spots after a wet spring. Is there a point where patching just isn’t worth it anymore?
Once you start getting soft spots after sealing, that’s usually a sign the underlying structure’s compromised. Did you check the joists or just the boards? Sometimes water wicks up from underneath and no amount of surface sealant helps. At a certain point, yeah, patching becomes a losing battle—especially if moisture keeps coming back. Have you checked for airflow under the deck? That can make a surprising difference.