A pergola is an excellent addition to the house that makes your backyard a better space. Pergolas are not meant to be necessarily expensive but for you to come up with something that lasts for years to come, you will have to invest a bit of time and money. Apart from that, homeowners often come across several issues with pergolas as the structures age. Surprisingly, some are not even aware until they have to deal with the problems later on. Follow below for all the common pergolas issues and how to fix or prevent them to help you move in the right direction. However, if the issue is complicated, consult pergola contractor for repairing or replacing the pergola.

Wood Rot

Wooden pergolas are the most common types of pergolas out there. These pergolas are known for their visual appeal and the ability to blend in with the surroundings. Plus, a high-quality wooden pergola will stand the test of time as the wood is engineered to resist pests, humidity, moisture, and other external factors.

But that does not mean it should be neglected. If you live in a region that experiences extreme weather conditions occasionally, you will need to keep a close eye on the pergola. The reason is that rains can form water pools and cause the wood to rot even if you have coatings done on the wood.

The coatings and engineering help the wood fight such factors for a certain period but in the meantime, they tend to lose their strength as well. This means that if you own a wooden pergola, you will need to keep a close eye on any soft spots that indicate rotting.

If you do, you will need to cut that part out slowly and carefully and replace it with a new one. Make sure to use proper sealants and techniques to ensure the piece not only remains in place but also does not let moisture inside.

Loose Connections

All pergolas are not made of wood only. Aluminum, steel, and vinyl pergolas are quite popular nowadays too. While these materials tend to be the main factor when it comes to reliability, durability, and other relevant factors, they are kept together by screws and bolts.

Although, the experts do a great job ensuring each bolt and screw is tight and in place but with time, external factors can cause rust and affect their grip and strength as well. Strong winds can also be the reason the screws and bolts lose their grip and make the pergola shaky.

This could be a dangerous situation as the pergola may fall if someone is resting under it. Therefore, it is important to perform an inspection of the connections and replace them if you find even a minor crack or damage.

Cracked Or Splintered Wood

Wooden pergolas are known to experience cracks and splinters, which is normal especially if the pergola is aged. Over time, external factors tend to take a toll on wood, which causes the cracks to grow as well. This could also happen if the wood was not treated well.

So, if you come across any cracks or splinters, you should fill them up with a wood filler. Then, sand the area and make sure not to leave any edges out. But if you observe there are splinters and cracks everywhere on the pergola or deck, you should not take any chances but replace them with new wood.

This means you might have to build and install a new pergola because a pergola with splinters and cracks everywhere will pose a huge safety hazard.

If your deck has cracked wood, then you should act even more quickly because the risk is higher is a cracked or splintered deck. It’s fine to remove the damaged planks only. However, if most of the deck is damaged, build a new deck.

Missing Or Damaged Beams

Beams are an internal part of the pergola. The entire weight of the pergola rests on the beams. This means the beams should not only be of high quality but also installed the right way for the weight to balance itself. Beams can withstand strong winds and weather conditions but that does not mean they will last a lifetime.

If the beams tend to become damaged due to some reason, they will need to be replaced. The reason is that missing or damaged beams tend to result in an unstable structure. If there is a beam you find problematic, you will need to contact a gazebo builder Long Island to replace it.

Poor Drainage

Poor drainage is one of the most important factors that mostly goes unnoticed. Rain and thunderstorms can cause water pools under the pergola that could cause rotting. The last thing you would want is the pergola rotting from the base and making it difficult to stand on its own.

One reason homeowners don’t consider drainage is because it might be expensive. You do not necessarily need to install a complete network but simply come up with a way to deflect water to a different area. You can also add gravel in the surroundings to help absorb the water.

Lack Of Maintenance

Regardless of the material your pergola is made of, it will need frequent inspections and maintenance. With wood pergolas, you will have to make sure there are no cracks, rotting, damage, or water pools under or in the surrounding area. At the same time, you will need to apply a new coat once the existing one wears out with time.

Meanwhile, metal pergolas tend to experience rust and corrosion. You may be able to prolong the life of a steel pergola by offering regular maintenance but eventually, rust and corrosion will take place.

Aluminum pergolas are the longest to live. The reason is that aluminum is strong, durable, and resistant to external factors and does not require much maintenance. However, aluminum pergolas are a lot more expensive as well.

That said, you should keep in mind that pergolas need maintenance every now and then to keep them in top shape. But, if you don’t have the time, you can get help from an expert.

How To Choose A Professional?

This is the hardest part of owning a pergola. When it comes to installing or maintaining a pergola, you will need someone who is certified and knows his way around repairs and replacements. You might be overwhelmed with the options out there but don’t be.

The best way to find a perfect individual for your pergola is to first look around for referrals. If it yields no results, you should search for experts who are certified and licensed by the state to perform pergola-related tasks. This will help you narrow down your options instead of going through each and every one.

Hiring a professional would be a bit pricier than someone who is less or not experienced at all but will ensure safety and guarantee the work will be high-quality. If you are a bit skeptical, try interviewing and going through portfolios to help make the decision-making process easier for yourself.

Conclusion

Pergolas may or may not pose issues, which ultimately depend on how you look after them. But you need to be mentally ready to be able to tackle them when planning to install one. It’s not all rainbows and sunshine with pergolas but you can keep a lot of problems at bay by getting the pergola installed by a good custom pergola builder Port Jefferson.