5 Tips to Promote Deck Safety
5 Tips to Promote Deck Safety
5 Tips to Promote Deck Safety
The NADRA, orNorth American Deck and Railing Association, has reported an increase in deck related injuries over the past few years, with statistics including over 30 deck failure related deaths between 2000 and 2008. They have also reported that 75 percent of those who are on a deck when it collapses, are killed.This startling number is only accentuated by the fact that according to the NADRA, there are over 40,000 decks across America that are more than 20 years old, putting many thousands of families at risk for deck collapse and related injuries.
As a homeowner, it is incredibly important that you visually inspect your deck on a regular basis, especially as spring rolls in and time outdoors increases. When inspecting adeck, there are particular aspects that are some of the most important things to check. Here are five of them, as listed in the 2006 NADRA Consumer Safety Checklist.
Disintegrating Wood Look at the wood yourdeck is composed of and check for any splitting or decaying material. NADRA recommends using a pointed tool like a screwdriver to probe several areas of the deck, including the ledger board where the deck attaches to the house, support posts, railings, and decking boards. If your screwdriver easily penetrates the wood a quarter-to a half-inch without splintering the wood, it may be decaying.
Flashing Flashing is the most common area of deck failure, as it is where the deck connects to the house and functions by creating a barrier between the home and outside moisture and debris. At the point where the deck meets the house, you should be able to identify a continuous piece of metal between the two. If this is not the case, and your deck has not been flashed at the attachment to the house, consider having flashing installed by a licensed general contractor ordeck specialists.
Loose or corroded fasteners- When visually inspecting your deck, pay attention to inspect the fasteners, including nails, screws, anchors, and bolts. Loose or corroded fasteners weaken the structure of the deck, and once again, one of the most important areas to check is where the deck meets the house. This connection should be secured with bots, not just nails or screws, and be sure that all screws and bolts are tight and any nail heads that have popped up are hammered back into place.
Railings and banisters- As far as railings go, there are three things to pay attention to when ensuring railing safety, including the space between the rail components, rail height and the stability of the of the railing.The rail needs to be able to withstand a 200 pound force at any point along the top, and the spaces in the railings should be less than 4 inches, with a minimum height of 36 inches.
Stairs- In addition to the deck rail, the stair rail needs to be equally stable. Check the spot where the stairs connect to the deck and look for loose wood or risers that may be a tripping hazard on the stairs. If the step risers are open (the vertical part of the step), the space should be less than 4 inches. Make sure the stairs are cleared of any obstacles that could be considered a trip hazard including toys and planters.
These five aspects are crucially important to deck safety. Before you begin integrating your deck into your daily routine, be sure to inspect these elements and schedule any necessary repairs so that your deck is ready for your outdoor leisure as the weather warms up. If you are in theCary orRaleigh NC area, be sure to call thecustom deck specialists at Garuda Decks to schedule your inspection and repairs, today. Ourdeck builders are experienced in creatingcustom designed decks, porches, gazebos, arbors and other outdoor home construction projects. Call us today at, 919-460-8802, to schedule a free consultation, or contact us viaour websitefor more information.
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