How Safe Is Your Deck

Information may not be reliable

If your need your deck inspected, you need to look no further than your Tampa home inspector, Properly Inspected. Many homes have decks and you need to make sure that it is safe to use before you continually to keep using it.

If decks are not taken care of, they can collapse or fallapart. Most times, if you complete simple maintenance on decks, you deck will last longer. It is important to complete an annual inspection and fix any problems you find.

Materials

You need to check your deck for any split or decaying wood. You should also keep an eye out for any holes in the decking, which could mean that insects have burrowed in and made a home in the deck.

Ledger Board

The ledger board is the weight-bearing board that connects the deck to your house. You need to make sure that the ledger board is attached with ½-inch stainless- or galvanized-steel lag screws and through bolts. Ledger boards should not be attached with nails because they could possibly pop out. You should also check for a widened gap between the house and the ledger board. If you find a widened gap, it means that the bolts most likely are in need of tightening.

Flashing

All of the flashing that is located around the ledger board is what prevents moisture from building up and causing rot on the decking. You should look to see if any of the flashing has pulled away from the house. You should make sure to caulk all seals and make sure all overlapping pieces are intact. You should also inspect for any mud or other debris that may be possibly be stuck between the spacer and the exterior wall. If you see any mud or other debris between the spacer and wall, it is a sure sign the flashing has been breached in some way.

Railings and Balusters

You need to firmly grasp and wriggle all railings and balusters to make sure that they are securely in place. You should also check to make sure they meet local codes. Most local codes are going to require for railing to be at least three feet in height. Most local codes are also going to require that the balusters are spaced no wider than four inches apart. If you find any loose pieces on the railing or balusters, you need to toenail loose pieces back into place. If you find loose pieces, you can add glue to them for extra security or you may want to just replace the railing

or balusters completely.

Support Posts

All posts and beams should be checked for any loose connections. All posts should be at six inches square and no taller than 14 feet.

Surface Finish

If you find any surface areas of the deck that have mildew on it, you need to power-wash the deck with a solution of one part bleach, three to five parts water and laundry soap. You then can add a penetrating waterproof finish on the surface of the decking.

Conclusion

It is very important to annually inspect your decking to make sure it is safe to be on. If you prefer, your Tampa home inspector can inspect your deck to make sure it is going to be safe to use.