Is your old deck safe?
May is National Deck Safety Month.
According to the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), between 2000 and 2008 there were at least 30 deaths reported as a direct result of deck collapses. More than 75 percent of people on a deck when it collapses are injured or killed. With 40 million decks in the United States that are more than 20 years old, the NADRA says it's important to check decks.
NADRA says some older decks may only have deck-to-house attachments using only nails and other glaring faults. A knowledgeable deck builder can remedy a deck up to state code, licensing and insurance requirements.
NADRA released a four-page deck evaluation checklist for contractors rehabbing or installing a new deck. Questions include:
- Is the ledger attached to an acceptable wood rim joist?
- What is the foundation type? Post size?
- What is the post-to-concrete connection?
- What is the post-to-beam connection? Has the connection been bent or modified?
- Regarding the joist: does the hanger have double-shear nailing? Are the correct nails installed in the hangers?
- What supports the stairs? Rise/run?
- On composite decks, if it is a hidden fastener system, what lateral support has been provided?
- Are all fasteners properly seated and flush with the connection?
- Are all connector holes property filled?
