Is a loose deck railing dangerous?
Yes. A railing that moves when pushed is a fall hazard and should not be leaned on until it is re-fastened or replaced.
Deck, fence and gate repair
Tom Hanks, owner, 24/7 Express Handyman Service · Updated September 2026
24/7 Express Handyman Service covers 5 deck, fence and gate repair jobs in Salt Lake, Park City and Heber: replaces rotted deck boards, tightens loose railings, re-hangs sagging gates, sets new fence posts and repairs outdoor steps before they fail under someone's weight.
Quick answers
Can a few rotted deck boards be replaced without redoing the deck?
Usually. Individual boards are swapped when the joists under them are sound; soft or rotted joists are a larger repair that is scoped separately.
Why does a gate start to sag?
Most gates sag because the hinge post has leaned or the gate frame has racked out of square; the fix is to re-set the post or add a brace, not just to move the latch.
What this covers
Replace rotted deck boards
Probing boards and the joists beneath them with an awl to find every soft spot.
Deck boards
Fix a loose deck railing
Finding the cause of the wobble: loose bolts, split posts, rotted post bases or failed rail connections.
Deck railing
Fix a gate that sags or drags
Tightening or replacing loose hinge screws and upgrading to heavier hinges set into solid post wood.
Gate repair
Replace a broken fence post
Detaching rails or panels from the broken post and supporting them while it is replaced.
Fence post
Repair wobbly outdoor steps
Tightening or replacing loose treads and re-fastening stringers where they hang from the deck or landing.
Outdoor steps
Call now
Answered 24/7 by Tom or his dispatcher.
24/7 Express Handyman Service confirms the address, the zone rate and the dispatch fee, and takes a card, before rolling.
Every job 24/7 Express Handyman Service takes on is under $3,000 including labor, materials and any change orders (Utah Code §58-55-305); a change that would push a job over that line is referred to a licensed contractor, not written up as a second job. plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas appliance / combustion system work is referred to a licensed trade.