Step One:
Check the Materials on Your Deck!
Decaying wood, split wood, insect damage, spongy wood rot, and cracks.
Step Two:
Check the Ledger Board!
This is the weight bearing board that attaches to your house.
Make sure it’s attached with ½-inch stainless- or galvanized-steel lag screws and through bolts.
Make sure there are no nails used because they can just pop out.
Step Three:
Check the Flashing!
This is what keeps the water out of your house and building up moisture issues.
(I had a friend whose mom stepped through a rotten board and nearly severed her leg!)
Step Four:
Check the Railings and Balusters!
Make sure they are sturdy and at least 3 feet high and that the Balusters are spaced no more
than 4 inches apart. (Keeping your animals and children’s heads from getting stuck)
Step Five:
Check the Support Posts!
The posts should be sturdy, should be 6 inches square or larger, and no taller than 14 feet.
Watch for twisting posts too. Make sure posts are sitting correctly to the concrete anchors below.
Step Six:
Check the Surface of the Deck!
A smooth surface is what makes deck time the best. Check for splintering wood.