It is estimated that more than 2 million decks are built and/or replaced each year in North America. It is also estimated that of the 40 million existing decks in the U.S. only half of those are completely safe. Since 1999 there have been thousands of injuries and at least 20 deaths due to deck collapses. Improper construction and lack of maintenance are usually to blame for this.
Just because a deck is new doesn’t mean there is no issues! Don’t believe me? Check out this article I wrote on a brand new deck that somehow passed the city inspection: Worst New Deck Ever
Because decks appear to be simple to build, many people do not realize that decks are, in fact, structures that need to be designed to adequately resist certain stresses. Like any other house or building, a deck must be designed to support the weight of people, loads, and objects.
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A deck failure is any failure of a deck that could lead to injury, including rail failure, or total deck collapse. Railing failure occurs much more frequently than total deck collapses but because railing failures are less dramatic than total collapses (and normally don’t result in death) injuries from railing failures are rarely reported. Here are some facts about deck failures:
- More decks collapse in the summer than during the rest of the year.
- Almost every deck collapse occurred while the decks were occupied or under a heavy snow load.
- There is a slight correlation between deck failure and the age of the deck.
- About 90% of deck collapses occurred as a result of the separation of the house and the deck ledger board, allowing the deck to swing away from the house. It is very rare for deck floor joists to break mid-span.
- Many more injuries are the result of rail failure, rather than complete deck collapse.
- Deck stairs are notorious for lacking graspable handrails.
- Many do-it-yourself homeowners, and even contractors, don’t believe that rail infill spacing codes apply to decks.
A Rigid Inspections 65 Point Deck Inspection looks at the overall safety of the deck and its structure (where accessibility to deck components is permitted). I will email you a detailed report after the inspection filled with descriptions, pictures, and illustrations. The Rigid 65 Point Deck Inspection includes:
- Beams, Posts, and Joists
- Ledger Board
- Connectors and Fasteners
- Footings
- Handrails, Guardrails, and Balusters
- Stairs, Stringers, and Stair Treads
- Flashings
- Deck Floor Boards
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Call or Text Me to Schedule Your Deck Inspection 636-614-3234
Check out this video of a Rigid Inspections 65-Point Deck Inspection: