The season for outdoor life is in full bloom as summer approaches. People use their backyard decks for grilling, tanning, and entertaining day and night in communities around the nation. Before using your deck, it’s crucial to ensure its safety and structural soundness. Start by giving the entire deck an annual visual examination. To find problems, you don’t need to be a skilled builder or home inspector; you only need to know where to look. The 8 most typical flaws that can lead to a deck’s failure are listed below. Consider these 8 points in particular when reviewing your deck. If anything suspicious is discovered, you can either fix it yourself or contact a skilled carpenter. But, if you discover any significant structural issues, shut off the deck and contact a certified expert to assess the problem and suggest a fix.
Unbound Ledger
When a deck is physically attached to a home, a long, horizontal, pressure-treated board known as a ledger supports the deck. Each floor joist’s end is secured to the ledger by a hanger, typically made of metal. When the ledger is either severely corroded or not correctly secured to the house, the majority of catastrophic deck collapses take place. A continuous stretch of metal flashing should run down the ledger to stop water from seeping behind and ruining it.
The top edge of the ledger must be overlain by the flashing, which must extend up behind the house siding. If the ledger on your deck lacks flashing, you must install one; if the decking is parallel to the house, this task is rather simple. Install the flashing, remove one or two rows of decking, and then replace the deck boards. But, if the decking is parallel to the house, you will need to lift each deck board to reveal the ledger.
Concrete piers with cracks
The majority of elevated decks include vertical wood pillars that extend into or sit on top of concrete piers that are filled with concrete. In either case, check the concrete’s condition to make sure it hasn’t split in half or started to deteriorate. You should also gauge the piers’ diameter. Each one should be roughly three times broader than the post in order to offer enough support. On-grade decks that are near the ground are typically supported by poured-concrete piers, bricks, or concrete blocks. Check the supports underneath the deck with a flashlight to make sure they haven’t moved, fractured, or sunk into the earth. Install temporary bracing if required, jack up the deck, and then swap out any broken supports.
Poor Posts
Usually, tall vertical wooden posts support elevated decks. The majority of modern decks are supported by 6x6s, which are far stronger and more dimensionally stable than 4×4 posts, making them less prone to bend, twist, warp, and split. Make sure each post is securely fastened to the deck repair frame at the top and to the concrete pier at the bottom by carefully inspecting each one. Use an awl to probe around the post’s base to look for water damage. The post is rotting if the awl penetrates deeply or the wood fibers are mushy and pliable. Replace a post right away if it exhibits any symptoms of deterioration or damage.
Poor Beams
Large horizontal beams lay on top of the support columns or piers on all but the smallest decks. All of the floor joists are supported by the beams in turn. As a result, the state of the beams determines the deck’s overall structural integrity. Look for significant fractures and water damage in the beams. Verify that the tops of the posts or piers are securely secured to the beams. Check each beam’s length to make sure it is not drooping from the weight of the deck. If so, you’ll need to build one or more supports to strengthen it. The beams must be at least 12 inches above the ground if they are made of untreated lumber.
Defective floor floor
All of the floor joists are supported by the ledger board and beams, which are typically spaced 16 inches apart. Metal joist hangers are frequently used to support the joist ends. Make sure that hanger nails, not screws or regular nails, are used to firmly secure each hanger in place. Any joist with a large crack or significant insect or water damage should be replaced. Pay close attention to the joist ends, which are prone to splitting and rot. Look out for joists that are severely bent or drooping. The joists must be at least 18 inches above the ground if they are made of untreated lumber.
Faulty decking
Even though PVC (plastic) decking and composite lumber are becoming more and more common, wooden deck planks remain to cover the great majority of decks. Examine each board as you walk back and forth across the deck for indications of decay, insect infestation, water damage, splinters, significant cracks, and popped fastener heads. Note any boards that are severely bent, cupped, or twisted as well. Any damaged decking should be removed and replaced.
Rough Railings
Most localities require perimeter guardrails on decks that are higher than 30 inches off the ground. The preservation of railings in sound, the decent shape is crucial. Make sure each railing post is securely fastened to the deck frame and free from noticeable cracks, rot, and insect damage before moving on. Instead of using nails or decking screws, lag screws or carriage bolts should be used to secure railing posts. Be sure the posts are not splitting at the notches if the bottoms of the posts have notches around the rim joist.
Risky Stairs
You must inspect each part of your deck’s staircase or set of stairs, including the treads, stringers, handrails, balusters, and support posts, for any indications of structural damage, such as wide cracks, loosened connections, and missing fasteners. The stringers’ bottom ends and the bottom step is especially vulnerable to moisture-related issues, such as water damage, decay, insect infestation, mold, and mildew. Make sure the top of the staircase or steps is still attached to the deck frame by checking to see whether it has pulled away or fallen.
