A deck is a fantastic home feature that allows you to extend your living space to the outdoors.
According to most experts, the average life expectancy of a wooden deck is about 10 to 15 years. But while a deck can last that long, you must pay attention to its safety to prevent collapses.
So, when the deck railing post wobbles, you ought to fix it immediately.
But how do you reinforce deck railing posts?
You can reinforce a deck railing post during initial construction or as a retrofit if any issue arises with time.
Some of the tricks you can use to reinforce deck railing posts include the following:
- Tightening loose screws or bolts.
- Mounting an extra blocking rim or joists.
- Replacing or removing any loose post-to-rail hardware.
- Replacing and removing any rails with signs of rot, warping, or bowing.
The deck railing post is the primary support for the deck railing, which ought to be sturdy.
This article will teach you the steps to reinforce deck railing posts.
4 Ways To Reinforce Deck Railing Posts
Most deck railing posts are made using heavy 4-by-4-inch lumber. This size of lumber is excellent for decks as they provide the durability it needs; however, the weight can cause it to wobble a bit. And if your deck’s railing posts wobble, it raises concerns about its safety.
If you are still in the designing stage by questioning how to reinforce it, then it’s best to design the deck with two offset corner posts rather than one. With two offset corner posts, you can achieve better reinforcement.
Moreover, installing your deck with two offset corner posts is much simpler.
Also, you must consider your region’s building code requirement when building a deck. Often, the deck railing posts need to be spaced at 4 inches. If you don’t want to space the post 4 inches apart, you will need to install a baluster.
Also, doubling the end joist strengthens the deck railing post.
There are other ways you can reinforce your deck railing posts. And in this section, we will walk you through four ways to reinforce your deck railing posts.
1. Tighten Loose Screws or Bolts
It wobbles when you pull or push against your wooden deck railing, and the screws and bolts holding the joints have likely loosened. In such a case, one of the first things you should do is inspect the deck railing to find the loose screw.
The post should be fastened securely to the deck’s beams and joist with solid lag bolts or screws. It should also be surrounded by secure blocking.
If the lag and bolt are loose, tighten them with a ratchet or power drill. Check every post on the deck to see if it feels slightly movable.
2. Mount an Extra Blocking Rim or Joists
Another thing you can do to reinforce deck railing posts is to mount an extra blocking rim or joist. When installing this blocking rim or joist, do it in a zig-zag pattern to provide better stability.
Ideally, when the blocking goes between the perimeter joists of your deck, it makes the rim joist unmovable and stiff.
So, when you want to increase the strength of a railing post tremendously, adding an extra blocking rim or joist goes a long way.
3. Replace and Remove Any Loose Post-to-Rail Hardware
If the deck railing post feels sturdy, but the rail moves, then you should inspect the connectors, nails, or screws used. Often metal connectors used in decking corrode over time which then gets loose from their original position.
So, if the deck’s wood is in good condition, we suggest you remove the damaged connectors and replace them with new ones.
Toenailing is often a cheap, easy-fitting option to replace post and rail fasteners. However, it is advisable to avoid toenailing the deck because it leads to issues with wear and water damage over time.
Also, it would be best to opt for nylon or steel posts and rail connectors as they provide better security.
4. Replace and Remove Any Rails With Signs of Rot, Warping, or Bowing
Finally, there are times when your deck railing post wobbles not because the post or the hardware, like fasteners, is faulty but because the wood is damaged.
So, when you inspect the deck, you should swap the wood to get better sturdiness if you find any notable damage to the wood.
There are many reasons your deck wood rot. So, to ensure this issue does not repeat after replacing the wood rot, you should address whatever caused the rot in the first place.
For example, if the rot was caused by water damage, ensure you properly treat the new wood you install.
Conclusion
A wobbly deck railing post is never ideal in any home as it poses a safety risk. However, you can make a wobbly deck railing post sturdy using the tips shared in this guide.
Always start by inspecting your deck; the reason your deck railing post is wobbling could be simpler than you think. But if the deck is far more damaged than you might have thought, consider hiring a professional to inspect the deck’s integrity and fix the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Secure a Deck Post to Concrete?
If you want to construct a deck on concrete, one of the best ways to secure the deck post to concrete is with a concrete sleeve anchor.
You can fasten this anchor to the ground and screw the deck post to the sleeve concrete anchor.
How Many Bolts Should Be in a Deck Post?
The number of bolts you need for a deck post varies based on the post size. For example, on a four by 4 inches post, you need an average of 5 inches long bolt and at least two bolts per post. Note that the bigger the deck post, the more required bolts.
