Deck Repair and Restoration in Hobart
Decking Hobart Specialist
Deck Repair and Restoration Contractor In Hobart
Your deck’s looking tired. Maybe you’ve noticed a few boards getting soft underfoot, or the timber’s gone grey and splintered. Could be the whole thing wobbles a bit when you walk across it. Here in Hobart, decks cop a beating – our wet winters, frost, coastal salt air if you’re near the water. It all takes its toll.
Here’s the thing – not every damaged deck needs replacing. We’ve saved homeowners tens of thousands by repairing and restoring decks that other builders wanted to rip out completely. Sometimes a deck just needs some proper attention – replacing rotted boards, fixing structural issues, sanding back and re-oiling the timber.
We specialise in deck repair and restoration across Greater Hobart. Whether you’re in Battery Point with a heritage deck that needs careful restoration, or out in Kingston dealing with coastal weather damage, we fix the problems properly. Structural repairs, board replacement, re-oiling, balustrade upgrades – we handle it all. And we’ll tell you straight up if repair makes sense or if you’re better off starting fresh.
Common Deck Problems We Fix
Rotted Boards
This is the big one in Hobart. Tasmania’s moisture gets into the timber, and before you know it, boards are soft and spongy. Push your finger into the wood and it sinks in? That’s rot. Usually starts where water sits or in areas with poor ventilation underneath.
Loose or Wobbly Structure
When your deck moves more than it should, that’s the substructure deteriorating. Bearers and joists take on moisture, fixings rust out, connections loosen. It’s not just annoying – it’s dangerous
Splintered Timber
Weathered decks get rough. The surface breaks down, splinters appear, and suddenly you can’t walk barefoot anymore. Kids are at risk, and it makes the whole deck unusable for what you actually want – relaxing outdoors
Faded or Grey Timber
UV and weather turn beautiful hardwood grey and dull. It’s not just cosmetic – that weathering is the timber breaking down. The protective oils are gone, and moisture can penetrate easier.
Damaged Balustrades
Wobbly railings are a serious safety hazard. If they don’t meet current standards, you’re also looking at compliance issues. This is one area you don’t want to ignore
Rusty Fixings
Hobart’s wet climate corrodes standard fixings fast. Once they rust, they lose strength and stain the timber. We see this constantly in older decks that used cheap screws or nails.
Poor Drainage
Water pooling on your deck accelerates rot. If water’s not running off properly, it’s sitting there soaking into the timber. That’s how you get major problems
Termite Damage
Not as common as the mainland, but we do see it in Hobart. Termites can compromise structural integrity without obvious signs until it’s serious
Our Repair and Restoration Services
We start every job with a comprehensive inspection. We’ll get underneath, check the substructure, test for rot, assess the fixings – the whole lot. Then we’ll tell you exactly what needs fixing and what can wait.
Structural repairs are our bread and butter. Replace bearers, joists, stumps – whatever’s needed to make your deck solid again. We use treated timber rated for Hobart’s climate and upgrade to stainless steel fixings that won’t rust out in five years.
Board replacement is straightforward when you’ve got rot or damage. We source matching timber where possible, or if your deck’s mixed condition anyway, we might suggest replacing the whole surface while keeping the good substructure.
Sanding and re-oiling brings tired timber back to life. We’ll sand back to fresh timber, remove the grey weathering, and apply quality decking oil that’ll protect it properly. You can stick with the natural look or change colours completely.
Balustrade work covers repairs and upgrades to current safety standards. If your railings are wobbly or outdated, we’ll fix or replace them to meet code. Glass, timber, steel – whatever suits your home.We also improve ventilation and drainage – often the root cause of deck problems. Better airflow underneath, proper water runoff, maybe adding ventilation gaps. These fixes prevent future damage.
Decking Hobart Specialist
Deck Repair and Restoration: Hobart Considerations
Moisture damage is way more common here than people realise. Tasmania’s climate means timber stays damp longer, ventilation underneath isn’t always sufficient, and rot develops faster than drier climates. We always check the sub-floor carefully because that’s where problems hide.
If you’re coastal – Sandy Bay, Howrah, Kingston Beach, anywhere near the water – salt corrosion is hammering your deck. Standard fixings rust out, and the salt accelerates timber breakdown. We replace with marine-grade stainless steel that’ll actually last.
Older Hobart homes, particularly in heritage areas, often have decks that need careful restoration to maintain the character. We match timber species, respect the original design, and ensure repairs blend in properly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deck Repair and Restoration
Honestly? It depends on the substructure condition. If the bearers and joists are solid, we can usually repair surface issues and replace damaged boards without full replacement. But if the frame’s rotted through, if there’s widespread termite damage, or if the whole structure’s failed – replacement makes more sense.
We’ll assess it properly and give you both options with realistic costs. Sometimes repair costs 40% of replacement and buys you 15 more years. Other times you’re spending 70% of replacement cost for a bandaid fix that’ll need attention again in 5 years. We’ll tell you which situation you’re in
Usually, yeah. If you’ve got spotted gum, merbau, or other common hardwoods, we can source matching boards. The new timber will look different initially – it’ll be fresh while your existing deck’s weathered – but once we sand and oil the whole surface, it evens out pretty well.
If your deck’s an unusual species or the timber’s no longer available, we’ll discuss options. Sometimes we replace a whole section to avoid patchwork appearance, or we might suggest embracing mixed timbers if the deck’s already showing its age anyway.
Every 12-18 months for most Hobart locations. If you’re coastal or the deck gets full sun, lean towards yearly. Sheltered decks in protected areas might stretch to 2 years, but that’s pushing it in our climate.
You’ll know it’s time when water stops beading on the surface – when it soaks in instead, the oil protection’s gone. That’s when moisture damage accelerates. Regular oiling is way cheaper than fixing rot later. We can set you up with a maintenance schedule if you want to stay on top of it properly.
We can arrange regular maintenance for timber decks – annual or bi-annual services where we clean, check for damage, and re-oil the surface. Keeps your deck in good condition and means we catch small problems before they become expensive repairs.
For composite decks, maintenance is lighter – mainly cleaning and checking fixings and structure. Still worth doing periodically, but not the same commitment as timber.
Give us a call if you want to discuss a maintenance plan. Some clients prefer doing the oiling themselves once we’ve done the initial restoration – we can walk you through the process if that’s your preference
Get Your Deck Assessed Before Replacing It
If your deck is showing signs of wear, that doesn’t automatically mean it needs to be torn out and rebuilt. Many decks across Hobart can be safely repaired and restored for a fraction of the cost of replacement—if the issues are identified early and fixed properly. We carry out thorough inspections, explain what’s actually going on beneath the surface, and give you honest advice on whether repair makes sense or if starting fresh is the smarter option.
Book a professional deck inspection today and find out how much life your deck still has left. We’ll restore its safety, appearance, and durability—so you can enjoy your outdoor space again with confidence.
