I need to do some minor repairs on decking on a guest cabin.
- Built ~15years ago, not much maintenance. Wet western WA
- Do not want to be re-doing this in 10 or 15 years
Two issues - 1) guide posts loosening, and 2) area of rot at steps where water accumulates. All of these are on the effective back-side of the place no one ever sees except for us when we mow the hill below it, so cosmetics are not a big issue.
1) The guide posts were installed OK (my dad did it), but over time the bolts/washers have sunk in a bit (yellow circle), loosening the posts and whole railing. I need to tighten and ideally reinforce them so it doesn't happen again. I was thinking getting some galvanized sheet, drilling holes and placing under larger fender washers to help spread the load. Other ideas, or sound?
2) Bigger issue - rotted wood. He built some stone steps and didn't allow for any drainage - the end boards have been water-soaked for ages and rotted thoroughly, also the base of the last guide post - all the blue arrowed areas. I do not see a short-cut other than ripping it all up and replacing the wood, and then altering the steps to provide drainage away from the wood. Other ideas, or do that?
- Built ~15years ago, not much maintenance. Wet western WA
- Do not want to be re-doing this in 10 or 15 years
Two issues - 1) guide posts loosening, and 2) area of rot at steps where water accumulates. All of these are on the effective back-side of the place no one ever sees except for us when we mow the hill below it, so cosmetics are not a big issue.
1) The guide posts were installed OK (my dad did it), but over time the bolts/washers have sunk in a bit (yellow circle), loosening the posts and whole railing. I need to tighten and ideally reinforce them so it doesn't happen again. I was thinking getting some galvanized sheet, drilling holes and placing under larger fender washers to help spread the load. Other ideas, or sound?
2) Bigger issue - rotted wood. He built some stone steps and didn't allow for any drainage - the end boards have been water-soaked for ages and rotted thoroughly, also the base of the last guide post - all the blue arrowed areas. I do not see a short-cut other than ripping it all up and replacing the wood, and then altering the steps to provide drainage away from the wood. Other ideas, or do that?