After the Storm: Deck and Patio Inspection After Heavy Rain

PHRS Remodeling Team

Oct 2

2 min read

Wet wood deck after heavy rain in San Antonio

A deck and patio inspection after heavy rain can help reveal drainage issues, loose components, moisture damage, and other problems that may not be obvious during dry weather.

San Antonio has seen a lot of rain this week, with heavy downpours leaving yards, decks, and patios thoroughly soaked. Once the rain lets up and conditions are safe, it's a good time to take a walk around your outdoor living space. Heavy rain can reveal drainage, moisture, and structural problems that may be much harder to notice during dry weather.

Walk the deck surface

Soft or spongy boards: Press with your heel. If a board flexes or feels soft, the wood may be

rotting underneath.

Standing water: Boards that cup or hold puddles may need to be flipped or replaced, or the

spacing between them adjusted.

Raised nails and screws: Wood swells when it's wet and shrinks when it dries, and that

pushes fasteners up. Set them back down before someone catches a bare foot.

Slippery spots: Green or dark film on shaded boards is mildew or algae. Clean it with a

deck cleaner made for your material (cedar, treated pine, or composite).

Look underneath — this is where problems start

The ledger board: This is the board where the deck attaches to your house. Look for water

stains, rust streaks, or soft wood. A ledger that isn't properly flashed is the most common

reason decks fail.

Posts and footings: Make sure water drains away from the posts instead of pooling around

them. Our clay soils swell when they're wet, which can shift footings.

Joist hangers and hardware: Rust or corrosion means the hardware may not be rated for

treated lumber.

Erosion: Washed-out soil under stairs or around footings needs attention before the next

storm.

Check the railings and stairs

Grab each railing post and push firmly. A railing should never wobble. Check the stair treads

and stringers for movement or rot. These are safety items, so if something feels loose, keep

people off it until it's repaired.

Covered patios and pergolas

Look for drips or stains along beams and where a patio cover ties into the house roof.

Make sure gutters and downspouts on the patio cover are clear and draining away from the

slab.

Look for spots where water runs toward the house instead of away from it. That may mean

you need a drain, a regrade, or a downspout extension.

Downspout draining rainwater away from a covered patio after heavy rain.

When to call a professional

Call in a pro if you see soft framing, a ledger that is pulling away or stained, railings that move, or water getting into the house at the patio connection. Small repairs caught now are much cheaper than a rebuild later.

Found something that doesn't look right after this week's storms?

If you’ve noticed damaged decking, loose railings, drainage problems, or concerns with your covered patio, PHRS Remodeling can help evaluate the area and discuss repair or remodeling options. Call (210) 873-1111 or schedule a free in-home consultation.