Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
We're frequently asked about nasty-looking vertical cracks in wood deck posts. Is this a problem? Is the deck going to fail? How big of a crack is too big of a crack?
The appropriate term for these so-called cracks is "checking". This happens when big wood timbers quickly dry; the outside dries faster than the inside and it shrinks, which splits the wood apart.
This frequently happens with big wood timbers, it doesn't affect the integrity of the post, and nothing needs to be done about it. Just call it character.
We're frequently asked about nasty-looking vertical cracks in wood deck posts. Is this a problem? Is the deck going to fail? How big of a crack is too big of a crack?
The appropriate term for these so-called cracks is "checking". This happens when big wood timbers quickly dry; the outside dries faster than the inside and it shrinks, which splits the wood apart.
This frequently happens with big wood timbers, it doesn't affect the integrity of the post, and nothing needs to be done about it. Just call it character.
