u/manuce94

We bought this semi-detached home last year in Ontario, Canada. The house was built in 2017, and I recently noticed vertical cracks forming in some of the wooden support posts holding up the deck.

From what we can tell, the deck has never really been maintained since it was built. The wood looks very weathered from years of snow, rain, freeze/thaw cycles, and hot summers.

I’m trying to figure out:

• Are these types of vertical cracks/shakes normal for pressure-treated posts?
• At what point do they become structurally concerning?
• What maintenance should I be doing now to extend the life of the deck?

I’m also wondering:

• Should the deck be cleaned/stained/sealed ASAP?
• Are products like wood preservers or liquid rubber coatings actually recommended, or can they trap moisture and make things worse?
• Would you proactively replace any boards/posts at this stage, or just maintain them properly?

The cracks appear mostly vertical and the posts don’t seem badly twisted or leaning, but I wanted advice before this potentially becomes a much bigger and more expensive problem.

Any input from deck builders, contractors, or homeowners with experience in Canadian climates would be greatly appreciated.