Every year, check your deck
Meri-K Appy with the National Safety Foundation says start with the connections.
"The connections hold the deck together. And the most important connection is the one that holds the deck to the frame of the house," she said. "That's where most decks will fail. Look up underneath your deck. You should see a balance of wood and sturdy metal connectors that connect the deck to the house, but also go across the deck and down the posts as well."
Here are other warning signs to look for:
Loose Connections:
Check to see if your railings are wobbly or if any stairs are loose. If they are, you should repair them immediately.
Corrosion:
Metal hardware, such as connectors, nails and screws can corrode over time. Look for red rust or other signs of corrosion that can weaken your deck. When replacing metal hardware like rusty nails, make sure the hardware is rated for outdoor use to resist corrosion.
Rot:
Over time, wood can rot and degrade making it unable to support your deck properly. To test the wood on your deck, stick a screw driver in the area of wood that you think is rotted. If it appears soft, it should be replaced.
Cracks:
Look for deck boards with large cracks. As wood ages, it’s common for cracks to develop. Large cracks or excessive cracking can weaken your deck. Deck boards or posts with large cracks should be replaced.
See any of these warning signs, it's time to bring in a pro and have your deck properly inspected.
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