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I have a nice new PVC deck ... BUT, these strange notches/grooves have begun to show up on the outside edge of the darker colored border plank. These were NOT here when the deck was first installed.

After the first one appeared, I thought it might be from an unlucky blow from a falling tree branch, but they kept appearing and now they are appearing elsewhere, including under the railing and top of the stairs. It looks like a second one is starting to form on the edge of that dark plank at the top of the stairs, but there is NO notch on the edge of any of the lighter colored stairs. Could this be from an animal of some kind, or does anyone have any creative ideas on what is causing this??

Broad view of dark deck border with notches circled in red Multiple notches on deck border near grass Notch below railing Notch top of stairs Second notch starting at top of stairs

highbandwidth
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1 Answers1

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Squirrels.

I have a number of homemade plant pots made of synthetic decking scraps, and squirrels often gnaw at them and my plastic plant pots out of curiosity or hunger. Once they know it's not tasty they move on, but there are a lot of squirrels and the quality of your decking buffet is probably not a hot topic for gossip.

Capsaicin (pepper) is a decent deterrent, but in your case an owl on patrol might do best. Depends on where you want wildlife to exist in your world.

isherwood
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