(Photo by Shopify Partners from Burst)

Before you start upgrading your outdoor area with a deck, you should know some of the tips for deck safety.

Backyarding isn’t just about pools, lawns, trees and flowers. The ultimate in backyarding takes place on the deck. In fact, while you’re getting the family together during the summer and fall for more time together, you’ll undoubtedly be looking to get outdoors and make use of your space more — including your deck. But just as your home’s roof and windows have a life span, so does your deck. 

It’s not just age that causes a deck to need to be replaced or repaired.  Decks take a beating from the elements and stress from heavy use. It is important for homeowners to check on and maintain the integrity of their deck to ensure the safety of anyone who walks or stands on it as well as to help extend the deck’s lifespan, improve its appearance, and increase its livability.

Here are some deck safety tips for keeping your deck in its best shape before you invite the block over for a barbecue.

Top Tips for Deck Safety to Consider

Get an Inspection 

While it isn’t law, it is recommended to have an annual deck inspection for deck safety. May is generally a good time for this, just before the start of summer’s peak use, but anytime is just as good. There are professionals who do this, or you can perform an amateur inspection yourself to give yourself peace of mind knowing your deck is structurally sound. 

An annual deck checkup could keep you from having to make big, costly repairs or even a total deck replacement.

Here is what you’ll want to check for:

Rusted fasteners and connectors

Under your deck you’ll want to look for rusty or loose fasteners and make sure connectors are sound. Even items that hold your deck together, like nails, bolts, screws, and hangers, should be examined. These things may be made of galvanized steel, but they can still rust and should be watched. 

Bug damage or rot

Modern decks are made with treated chemicals that deter bugs. But in case it isn’t doing its job — or your deck is older — be concerned about bug damage, carpenter ant or termite chewing, and rot that make your deck shift or pull away from the house.

Cracks

Wooden decks especially are prone to splitting due to their tremendous exposure to the elements. Wood tends to split with wear, though staining it every few years is a good way to slow this. Also, avoid power washing as it weakens the wood’s surface. 

Other than the usually splitting, pay attention to cracks in your deck as they are the real red flag for potential problems. If a crack gets bigger — or is around fasteners — this signals that an area is weak. Cracks in deck boards in the middle of a deck-joist span should be replaced so you or a guest don’t step on the weak spot and crash through the deck! 

Harmful growths

Mold and mildew growing on your deck can be both a minor eyesore and a major problem. Simple discoloration due to natural growth can be cleaned off with water, but if you see fuzzy mold or even mushrooms growing on your deck, watch out! Mold eats away at the structure and not only makes the wood of your deck unstable, but it can also make the surfaces dangerously slick to walk on. 

Strange sounds 

If you hear pops, creaks, and other unusual noises that are not the ordinary sounds you have come to expect from your deck, this is a likely warning that you should have your deck inspected by a professional.

Loose Railing

Deck stairs as well as the deck itself need a railing. This serves not only as a border but also as a safety feature. Obviously border railings are not ideal places to sit or push against, though they should be able to handle leaning. (A professional inspector would say railings are supposed to withstand about 200 pounds of lateral force.) If it sways when you push on it, that’s a problem. 

Stair rails should be firm for grasping and support. Swaying and wobbling are causes for concern. 

Steps should be sturdy as well. 

Inspecting your deck regularly for these and other signs of damage is ideal for maintaining a safe outdoor living space and getting the best use out of your deck and your home.

Looking to upgrade to a new home with a deck? Let List With Elizabeth® help you find the perfect place for your future backyarding, where you can gather with family, friends, and neighbors safely and in style in the Springfield, Burke, and surrounding Northern Virginia areas.