The Ultimate Deck Safety Checklist

Now that “deck weather” is here and you are planning to spend more time outside, it is important to check your deck for safety. A quick check of your deck system can help prevent injuries and keep your deck in perfect order for a summer of fun.

How to Inspect Your Deck for Safety

A quick inspection once a year can prevent injuries and keep your deck in perfect order. Here is what to check:

• Step 1: Check that all railings are secure and do not wobble. Loose railings may indicate wood rot or other structural damage underneath. Since people regularly lean on railings and use them on stairs, they must be firmly in place.
• Step 2: Look along the edges and underneath the deck for signs of rot or insect damage. Even a small amount of rot can impact the structural integrity of the entire deck. Replace any damaged wood as soon as possible to prevent structural failure.
• Step 3: While checking underneath the deck, inspect all hardware including brackets, fasteners, and connectors. Rusted hardware can lead to system failure and must be replaced promptly.
• Step 4: Check the deck surface for mold or mildew, which makes boards slippery and can eventually ruin the wood. Clean affected areas using a combination of bleach and water. If mold or mildew has become deeply embedded, replace the wood in those areas.
• Step 5: Walk the entire deck and listen for creaking. Look for cracks, splintering, and uneven boards. These are signs of serious wear that could lead to boards breaking while the deck is in use.

Check The Railings

Railings give your deck a finished appearance, but they also serve as a safety feature. It is not uncommon for people to lean against the railings on the deck or use them to move up and down the stairs of the deck, so it is essential that they are secure. Loose railings may also indicate that there is wood rot or other damage to your deck. A good inspection of your railings is important for deck safety.

Wood Rot and Insect Damage

With time the weather can cause wood rot on your deck. A little bit of rot near the edges may not seem too harmful, but it may be an indicator of more serious damage. Even a little bit of rot can impact the integrity of the structure.

Wood destroying insects can also damage the structure of your deck. Make sure to check underneath your deck and around the ground areas for insect damage to your deck. Replace wood that has been damaged as soon as possible to prevent structural failure.

Rusted Hardware

Exposure to the weather for many years can cause some of the hardware to rust on your deck system. Most of these parts are located underneath your deck, so while you are checking for wood rot, make sure you look at the hardware as well. Rusted hardware can lead to system failure, and it is vital to replace these parts as soon as possible.

Mold or Mildew Growth

It is not uncommon for mold or mildew to appear on wood decks after they have been exposed to the weather for a long time. Mold and mildew can eventually ruin the wood of the deck, but the more urgent reason to remove mold and mildew is that they make the deck slippery.

Using a combination of bleach and water, it will be necessary to clean the entire deck to remove mold and mildew growth. If they have become deeply embedded in your deck, you may need to replace the wood in those areas.

Uneven, Splintering, or Creaking Boards

If the flooring on your deck is showing extensive signs of wear, it may be time to replace your deck system. Creaking, cracks, splintering, and uneven boards can be a sign of serious trouble to come. These boards could break when you are entertaining, leading to serious injuries.

Call Royal Deck Today

Royal Deck is a leading provider of deck systems in the Chicagoland area. If you would like to have a safety inspection conducted on your deck, have necessary repairs, or replace your deck system, Royall Deck is the builder to call. We have extensive experience in building and maintaining custom deck systems and will be pleased to provide you with a free estimate for our services.