Decks are essential for homeowners to enjoy their outdoor spaces and maintain their durability. Weather and other elements can cause rotting and damage to the wood, leading to dry rot, a condition where fungi attack wood and cause it to lose strength and deteriorate. Dry rot can spread throughout the deck, making it unsafe to use unless treated immediately.

There are several reasons why deck boards rot: moisture, brown rot, white rot, green mold, deck age, and black mildew. Moisture can cause rot due to ground contact, leaking gutters, insufficient ventilation, and close-knit deck supports. Brown rot is when the wood becomes black and fragments, making walking on the deck boards dangerous. White rot is a fungus that converts wood cells into glucose, causing the deck to become spongy and requiring immediate replacement. Green mold is an algae or lichen that signals a favorable condition for rots to exist and attack but does not cause structural damage.

Deck age is a natural occurrence, and over time, the wood deck may show deterioration. Regular maintenance and checkups are necessary to diagnose any signs of damage. Black mildew, a mold caused by moisture, can be eliminated temporarily by using weak bleach to wash the top surface. By understanding these reasons and taking necessary action, homeowners can prevent and treat deck rot to ensure its long-term success.