How to Repair Teak Decks [Step-by-Step Guide]

A teak deck is a valuable asset for many boat owners. Teak is a type of wood known for its excellent properties: it is resistant to water and sunlight, barely rots, provides good non-slip characteristics (both wet and dry), and has a beautiful appearance. Proper maintenance is essential to extend the lifespan of a teak deck and preserve its attractive look. In addition to regular maintenance, such as cleaning, stain removal, and sealing, it may sometimes be necessary to carry out minor or major repairs. This article discusses the most common problems and explains how to repair teak.

Common problems with teak decks

• Loose or damaged rubber seams.
• Visible screws.
• Leaks.
• Damaged or worn wood sections.

Replacing rubber seams (repairing teak deck seams)

When the teak seams become loose, shrink, or get damaged, it’s time to replace them. Follow these steps:

1. Remove the old seams
   Carefully cut between the wood and the rubber with a knife to remove the old rubber. If this is difficult or too time-consuming, you can use a specialised cutting tool compatible with most multitools. Be careful not to damage the teak.
   
   
2. Prepare the seems 
   Make sure the seams are empty and clean. Also, check that the rest of the deck is in good condition.
   
   
3. Apply a new teak seam sealant
   Two products are commonly used for this:
   
   Sikaflex-290 DC Pro (the most commonly used product)
   This traditional deck caulking compound has been on the market for years and is the best-known product for this application. The Sika kit requires applying a primer (Sikaflex-290 DC Pro) to the seam and using “bondbreaker” tape (e.g. Fineline tape) so that the sealant adheres only to the sides of the teak. Apply the caulking compound with a caulking gun and create a slightly raised finish, as Sikaflex will shrink slightly. After three days, excess sealant can be sanded down air bubbles refilled. 
   
   Tikalflex TSCplus:
   This single-component adhesive sealant is specially designed for sealing teak decks. Tikalflex TSCplus has been on the market for over 20 years and is widely used on superyachts. Its advantages include fast curing, minimal shrinkage, high UV resistance, and no need for primer or bondbreaker tape. The procedure is similar to Sikaflex: fill the seams, allow to cure, and sand off excess sealant. Often, excess sealant can be removed after just one day.

After resealing, apply a protective product to the teak deck to extend its lifespan.

Repairing visible screws

When screws in a teak deck become visible, it often indicates wear in the wood. Although this may mean the deck will eventually need replacement, you can extend its life using the following steps:

1. Carefully drill out the teak plugs to avoid damaging the screws.
2. Remove the screws and drill the holes 2-3 mm deeper using a depth-limited drill bit.
3. Reinsert the screws.
4. Make new teak plugs with a plug cutter and glue them in place using PU adhesive (RESION Repair Compound).

5. Trim the plugs flush with a chisel and sand the area.

The screws will now sit slightly deeper in the deck, which helps prolong its lifespan.

Fixing leaks

Leaks are one of the trickiest problems to solve, as the causes can vary greatly. The solution also depends on the substrate and the method used to install the teak. Check the following and repair as needed:

• Rubber seams: are they loose or damaged?
• Teak adhesion: is the teak glued or screwed? Check if it is still firmly attached.
• Substrate: inspect the condition of the material under the teak (e.g. steel, plywood or polyester).

Replacing damaged teak wood

Teak is a natural material, and it can happen that a section deteriorates faster than the surrounding wood, becomes damaged, or needs adjustment due to a new deck layout. Follow these steps to replace a damaged teak section:

1. Remove the rubber around the damaged section.
2. Score the ends with a multitool, without cutting too deeply.
3. Remove the damaged section by unscrewing the screws and chiselling out the wood.
4. Cut a new teak piece to size and attach it to the clean substrate.
5. Apply new deck caulking compound in the seams.

More information about teak repairs

If you have questions about repairing your teak deck or need advice on the right products for your project, feel free to contact our specialists via email, phone or WhatsApp. We’re happy to assist you!

Frequently asked questions