Now is good time for homeowners to inspect decks

Considering that my deck is nearing the age of 10 years, I was glad to receive a news release reminding me to check my deck for safety concerns that could lead to accidents and injuries. It’s a thought that never occurred to me and probably wouldn’t have until the damage was done. It’s also a great time to do it since we are heading into prime deck-using season and we’ll be serving more meals out there in the months to come.

“Many of us have delayed home repairs and improvement until they are absolutely essential,” said Rob Haislip, vice president of Archadeck. “Even then, sometimes homeowners don’t have enough information to decide when something is optional or truly a safety hazard that could result in an injury.”

The attachment of the deck to the house is where most deck failures occur. Ensure that the deck is properly attached to the house with bolts and is properly flashed for water protection.”

To help ensure safety, especially for decks that are more than 10 years old, Haislip shares seven deck safety inspection guidelines with the clever acronym of BE SAFER:

• Boards: Look at the condition of your deck boards. While most wood will show some minor cracks and splits over time, boards should be good and not rotting or damaged.

• Every connection: Decks should be built using a variety of fasteners and metal hardware connectors. Check every connection on the deck to make certain that they are not corroded or compromised. Look for nails backing out, red rust and other signs of corrosion that can weaken the integrity of the deck.

• Structure: If visible, look at the posts, beams and joists that provide the structural framework of the deck. Is there any noticeable sagging between supports?

• Attachment: The attachment of the deck to the house is where most deck failures occur. Ensure that the deck is properly attached to the house with bolts and is properly flashed for water protection. Nails should never be used.

• Foundation/footings: The foundation/footings support the weight, also known as the load, on a deck and the columns that bear on them. A footing that is sinking may cause a noticeable sag in an area or a column to separate from a beam.

• Exits: Check the areas where people exit from the deck, usually stairs. Check the condition of the material used on the stair stringers, stair treads and risers. Do the stairs require a handrail? Is there adequate lighting to safely use the exits at night?

• Rails: Look at the condition of the rail posts and sections of railing to make sure that they aren’t loose or wobbly. Verify that the pickets/ balusters are fastened securely and spaced no more than four inches apart.

For more information and tips on taking care of your home, visit www.arkansasrealtors.com.

House to House is distributed by the Arkansas Realtors Association. For more information about the ARA, visit www.arkansasrealtors.com.