As a deck builder I have come across many decks that had some pretty scary issues going on that the homeowner had no idea was there. I just inspected a homeowner’s deck and found many issues that had to be fixed asap. The supporting front beam was actually pulling away from the joists. Now, when I first walked out on the deck I had no indication that there was anything really wrong and I’m a professional. It just looked old and dried out. But when I went underneath the deck I was stunned.
I honestly was surprised it was still standing. If the homeowner had not called me out to inspect it before the new season began, it could have been disastrous. The first family barbecue of the year would definitely been a memorable one.
I understand everyone may not see what I can see because they don’t look at decks all day, every day. But the really dangerous stuff is pretty obvious. Just do a visual inspection at the beginning of every spring. Look for boards that look unusually dark and wet and have mold or moss growing on them. If the wood crumbles away when you rub your hand across it you may need to have it professionally inspected. You can also look for boards that are separating from each other or are splitting and cracking. Dry climates are prone to shrinking and cracking wood and more humid climates are prone to mold and rotting wood.
Just remember, a quick visual inspection will catch the obvious problems, even to the untrained eye. Also, when in doubt, just give a good reputable deck company a call and ask them if they would come out to inspect it for you if you suspect there could be an issue…You DO NOT what to find out the hard way.
If you do think you may need a professional inspection and live in the Denver metro area in Colorado, feel free to give us a call or you can go to our contact page and we will set up a time to come take a look. We service most of the front range from Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch to Longmont and Firestone.
