The black seams between the slats do the most important job on a teak deck: they move with the wood and stop water getting underneath. When the caulking hardens, cracks or peels away from the slat edges, water gets in, and the slats and the substrate below them start to suffer.
We rout out the old seams, replace slats that are cracked or worn through with teak matched in grain and colour, and re-caulk. The deck is then sanded flush, so old and new read as one surface. The work is done on the boat, afloat at its berth or ashore on a dry berth.
Wood shows wear long before it fails. These are the signs we look for on an inspection: tick the ones you recognise and they go into your message, so we know where to start.
What to send us
IThe whole area, from a few steps back
IIClose-ups of the worst spots
IIIThe boat's model and where it's berthed
Photos are enough for a first opinion, before anyone comes to the boat.
We mark the slats and seams that have failed and agree the scope with you: one section or the whole deck.
02 / 04
Remove and rout
Damaged slats come out, and old caulking is routed from the seams down to clean wood.
03 / 04
New teak and caulking
Replacement slats are cut and fitted, then the seams are prepared and filled with marine deck caulking.
04 / 04
Sand flush
Once the caulking has cured it is trimmed, and the deck is sanded level for an even finish.
Where it's done
Slats and seams repaired on board.
Slat replacement and re-caulking are done where the boat lies, afloat or on a dry berth. New teak is matched on site, with no boat transport to arrange.
Straight answers to what owners ask us most. If yours isn't here, ask us directly.
01Can you replace just a few slats?
Yes. If the rest of the deck is sound, we replace individual slats and re-caulk around them. New teak is lighter at first and weathers to match the deck around it.
02Do all the seams have to be redone at once?
Not always. If the failure is local, we repair that section. When seams are failing across the deck, doing it all in one go gives a more even and longer-lasting result.
03Does the boat have to come out of the water?
No. We work afloat at your berth, and just as readily on a dry berth if the boat is already ashore. Caulking needs dry weather, so we pick the dates by the forecast.
04How much does re-caulking a teak deck cost?
It depends on how many metres of seam need renewing and how many slats need replacing. We look at the deck, then give you a written quote with the full price before any work begins.
05Why does teak deck caulking fail?
Over the years sun and movement harden the caulking. Once it can no longer flex with the wood, it cracks or pulls away from the slat edges and stops keeping water out.
06What happens if I leave failing seams?
Water gets in under the slats. The slats and the substrate below them start to suffer, and a local repair can grow into a much bigger job.
07Will the repair be visible?
Very little. New slats are matched in grain and colour and the deck is sanded flush, so old and new read as one surface. New teak starts lighter and weathers to match within a season or two.
Video
Video
