Understanding Deck Inspection Frequency

Understanding deck inspection frequency can be tricky. This blog will help you know how often you should carry out an inspection and what benefits it has. Keep reading!

Your deck is the lifeline around your family’s outdoor entertainment. There is no doubt about that. Without a good one, forget about memorable birthday parties and cookouts. It is by far the most ideal place for gatherings, especially over the weekend. With that in mind, it becomes easy to understand why the deck must be safe and up to the latest regulatory codes. This begs the question, ‘How often, then should one have his or her deck inspected?’ Read on to learn more.

Understanding Deck Inspection Frequency: The Basic Rule

The thumb rule is that a professional inspection of your deck to ascertain its overall condition and strength should be scheduled after every two years. It does not end there. The deck surface should also be spotless annually. This will go a long way to extend its aesthetics and, most importantly, lifespan.

Remember that, just like your home, the deck goes through lots of stress throughout the year. It gets exposed to load bearing situations, inclement weather conditions, and the usual wear and tear. This means at no point in time will you have a deck that remains in the same condition after one year.  Using the following checklist should therefore be your reprieve.

Damage Inspection

Modern decks are made of either composite or wood treated with strong chemicals to keep bugs at bay. It happens, though, that there are decks today that were built in the 80s. This means they are susceptible to damage caused by insects, as the use of insecticides wasn’t advanced in the 80s. Step on your deck, then notice if there are slight movements. Any movement signals structural and integrity issues and signs that the deck could be feeding ants and termites.

Fasteners And Connectors

This should be easy because fasteners and connectors are visible. The most common setback here is rust. Always ensure that your deck’s joists, connectors, and fasteners are all in perfect shape. Check other connectors too such as screws and nails. Call an inspector as soon as you detect rust.

Note that any deck that’s more than 10 years should be inspected by a professional with knowledge of the current codes. Note too, that building codes evolve all the time. This means that even materials and building techniques change. The best you can do is get a building professional who is experienced and familiar with your local area’s building codes.

Rotting And Cracks

Woods crack after some time. This should not worry you at all. If anything, woods often end up with small cracks. Keep an eye, though, on cracks that tend to occur between joists or around fasteners. They can easily exploit weaknesses in the deck and lead to fatal problems down the line. Seal and stain your deck every two to three years to reduce cracking caused by water, heat exposure, or even cold.

Point To Note

The inspection does not have to unearth the fact that something is wrong with your deck. It can be done only for you to notice that nothing is amiss. On the other hand, it can only be done to notice things you may have never thought about, like mold and mildew infestation.

 

L.A. Decks is a full-service, family-owned deck contractor serving the greater Los Angeles and Orange County area. We understand the complexity of the local area for outdoor projects in terms of space and geography better than anyone.
Since 1995, we have been delivering customized solutions that overcome those obstacles and address each customer’s individual budget, taste, and preferences.

Our team strives to improve the lifestyles of our customers, one project at a time. Together, we actualize our clients’ visions into a serene, all-encompassing, and stunning backyard getaway.
We hope to pepper the Los Angeles and Orange County area with these dream backyards, all of which are a product of our team’s open communication, driven planning, and persevering work ethic.