Thermal cameras are a neat idea, but I’ve had the same mixed results—too many variables outside. I usually trust my moisture meter and a good old-fashioned pry bar. Sometimes you just have to pull up a few boards to know for sure... surprises are almost guaranteed on older decks.
I hear you on the thermal cameras. I borrowed one from my brother-in-law last year, thinking I’d look like some kind of deck detective, but all I got was a bunch of weird heat blobs and a headache. Ended up going back to my trusty pry bar and a whole lot of crossed fingers.
Moisture meters are great, but on my old deck, I swear every board reads “questionable” no matter what. Pulled up a couple last summer and found a squirrel stash and what might’ve been a sandwich from the 90s. Surprises are just part of the fun, right?
Honestly, sometimes you just have to accept that no matter how careful you are, there’s gonna be something unexpected hiding under there. At least it keeps things interesting... and gives you stories for later. Hang in there—sounds like you’re doing it right.
Decks really are like mystery boxes—never know what you’ll find under those boards. I’ve had more luck just tapping around with a screwdriver and trusting my nose for rot. High-tech tools are cool, but sometimes old-school instincts win out.
Title: Making sure the deck’s ready for underlayment—what’s your process?
I’m with you on the screwdriver trick. I ended up using a butter knife once because I couldn’t find my tools, and it actually worked to spot a soft board. My go-to is to start at the edges and corners, poke around, and look for discoloration or that “mushy” feeling. If I find anything suspicious, I’ll pry up just one board to check underneath before going further. High-tech gadgets are neat, but honestly, my wallet says no most of the time... Instincts and a little patience haven’t let me down yet.
I’ve definitely seen folks get creative with whatever’s on hand—never tried a butter knife myself, but I can see how it’d work in a pinch. I’m with you on trusting your senses; sometimes you just know when something’s off. One thing I always wonder about is moisture meters. They’re not cheap, but I’ve found them handy for catching hidden damp spots, especially in shaded areas or where water tends to pool. Have you ever run into issues with hidden rot that didn’t show any obvious signs on the surface? Sometimes even a solid-looking board can surprise you...