That’s the truth. I’ve had a couple times where I thought, “eh, looks solid enough,” only to find out a year later that a little soft spot turned into a full-on headache. My place is old, and around here we get those wild spring thaws—water finds every weak spot, no matter how small. Slowing down to check for moisture or hidden rot has saved me more than once. It’s not always popular with whoever’s helping me, but I’d rather patch a small area now than rip up a whole section later. You’re spot on about the long-term payoff.
Slowing down to check for moisture or hidden rot has saved me more than once.
I hear you on that—rushing always comes back to bite. I usually go board by board with a screwdriver, poking for soft spots, especially near seams and edges. Curious if you’ve ever used a moisture meter, or do you just rely on feel and visual cues? Sometimes I wonder if I’m being too cautious, but like you said, water finds every weakness...
I’ve tried both ways—old-school poking and using a moisture meter. Honestly, the meter’s handy for peace of mind, especially after a rainy week, but I still trust my eyes and a screwdriver more. Had a spot last year that looked fine but the meter spiked, so I pulled the board and sure enough, rot underneath. I do think it’s possible to overdo it, but I’d rather be too cautious than miss something that’ll cost more down the line.
I’m with you on not relying 100% on the meter. I’ve had those false positives too, but sometimes it’s the only way to catch stuff you can’t see or feel. I usually poke around with a putty knife, especially near the ledger and any spots that stay shaded. Curious—do you ever check underneath from below, or is your deck too low for that? Sometimes I crawl under with a flashlight just to be sure I’m not missing anything. It’s not fun, but it’s saved me from surprises more than once.
Funny, mine’s just high enough that I can squeeze under if I really have to, but man, it’s a tight fit. I’ve found a couple of soft spots that way I’d never have noticed from above. Not my favorite chore, but beats having to redo the whole thing later. I do wish there was an easier way, though...