Improperly Built decks Can Be dangerous
"decks cause more injuries and loss of life than any other part of the home structure.”
—Don Bender, Director
Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory
Washington State University
More than a million decks are built and replaced each year in the United States. While decks are a popular feature of many homes, the construction and safety of decks have become a real concern within the building industry. Improper deck building has resulted in a growing number of deck failures and related injuries and deaths.
Just like your home, it's important to make sure your deck is built right. Most experts agree that the average life expectancy of a wood deck is 10 to 15 years. It is estimated that there are millions of decks in the U.S. that are beyond their useful life and may be unsafe. In fact, the number of deck collapses has increased in recent years. Since 1999, there have been more than 850 reported injuries and 20 deaths as a result of deck failures.
If you're building a deck or have an existing deck, you should know how to evaluate its construction to make sure it's structurally sound and safe. Using the proper structural connectors and fasteners (like nails and screws) as well as regular maintenance are the keys to a safe, strong deck. Please call us for a free evaluation of your deck structure.
Five Warning signs of an unsafe decks.
- Missing Connections
- A deck should be built using a combination of wood, nails, screws and metal connectors. Look at how your deck is built – if all you see is nails, your deck may be unsafe.
- Loose Connections
- Depending on how the deck was built, vital connections may have degraded over time due to various factors. Issues such as wobbly railings, loose stairs and ledgers that appear to be pulling away from the home are all causes for concern.
- Corrosion of Connectors and Fasteners
- Metal connectors, nails and screws can corrode over time. Look for rust and other signs of corrosion that can weaken the structure of your deck.
- Rot
- Wood can rot and degrade over time with exposure to the elements. Wood members within the deck frame that have rotted may no longer be able to perform the function for which they were installed, making your deck unstable.
- Cracks
- As wood ages, it is common for cracks to develop. Large cracks or excessive cracking overall can weaken your deck, making it susceptible to collapse.
If you've determined your deck is unsafe, you'll need to either repair or retrofit it or in some cases, rebuild it altogether. If rebuilding your deck is not feasible, there are improvements that can be done to the existing structure to make it safe for you to enjoy for many years to come. Please contact us for a free consultation.
