Now that you’re spending a little more time in your own backyard than usual, your outdoor space should be in great shape. May is Deck Safety Month, which means it’s a great time to give your patio a little TLC. Start from the ground up to give your deck a once-over and troubleshoot any problem areas.
1. Deck Footings
This is where your deck makes contact with the ground, so pay close attention to your footings. If your footings were poured correctly, the wooden deck posts should land on a pad of concrete that’s completely clear of any soil.
2. Support Posts
These are the 4x4s or 6x6s that hold up the main structure of your deck, and can be composed of a number of types of wood, from pressure-treated lumber to cedar. Use a screwdriver to check for wood decay at every height of these posts, and also pay close attention to signs of insect damage, which will usually appear as small holes or crumbly areas. If you spot insect damage, it’s best to call in a professional to discuss your options.
3. Stairs
Just like with your support posts, your stairs should come to rest at ground level on a concrete pad. If they don’t, check for signs of rot or insect damage with the screwdriver trick. Stairs should also have a consistent rise and run (meaning each stair has the same height and depth), to avoid accelerated trips down the stairs. According to code, each stair can be no more than 7-¾ inches high, and needs to have a depth of at least 10 inches so the majority of your foot can rest comfortably on the stair.
4. Deck Joist Frame
The joist frame on your deck can have some unique problems besides the usual rot and insect damage, and one of the most common we see are joists that are spaced too far apart. Joists spaced 16 inches on center (from the center of one joist to the center of the next) is normal. If they’re further apart this can lead to sagging deck boards, as most decking material isn’t strong enough to support spans greater than 16 inches.
5. Deck Boards
On the floor of your deck, you’ll want to keep an eye out for loose nails or screws, splinters and other dangers for people walking barefoot on the deck. Check all the deck board splices for signs of decay, and make sure all splices are positioned on joists by placing a little pressure on them. If they don’t move, that’s great. If they squish, that might indicate some rot in the top of the joist. If they flex like a diving board, they’re not positioned on a joist and the boards should be replaced.
6. Deck Handrails
Your code-approved deck railing height can vary depending on where you live, but in most areas it’s 36 inches when measured from the deck surface to the top of the handrail. Commercial buildings that have decks or balconies have to follow the International Building Code (IBC), which requires deck rails to be 42 inches high. Height isn’t the only consideration when you’re assessing the safety of your deck. For example, balusters should be placed no more than 4 inches apart (the width of an infant’s head) just to make sure no one ever gets stuck.
Thanks to National Property Inspection, Inc for this info!
