A great deck may be one of the selling points of the home you are buying, but from an inspection perspective it can be one of the most potentially dangerous areas of the property. Decks are a handyman’s challenge with issues that can be overlooked because the deck is aesthetically pleasing. In fact, most of the commercially built decks we inspect do not meet our standard for safety.
All too often decks can manage the load until a few years of deterioration subject to a heavy load cause the deck to fail, sometimes with catastrophic results.
What are we inspecting for? The safety of you and your family.
We check the posts and beams and how they are attached. We want to see bolts, not nails or deck screws. Even the correct bolt can be incorrectly installed. We inspect the installation of the main beams and how they relate to the posts and the spans. Is there anything to stop a lateral load sway that would cause the deck to shift, rotate, and fall? Cross bracing or anchors need to be in place at right angles.
Floor joists need to be pressure treated or exterior rated, as does all the wood the deck is made from. All the joist hangers need to be secured with approved fasteners. If the deck is new the joists must be mechanically fastened to the beams with hurricane clips. Any area of the deck that is adjacent to a cantelevered area should be freestanding and not attached to the cantilever.
The list of problems we find on decks is endless. Ensure the right professional lays eyes on your outdoor space before it becomes a costly issue.