Most decks should be inspected once a year. The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) recommends that homeowners have their decks inspected annually. Older decks, decks more than a few feet off the ground, and decks that have been through a hard Wisconsin or Minnesota winter need it most.
A deck looks solid from the patio chair. The parts that fail are usually the ones you can't see from there: the board bolted to your house, the posts underneath, and the metal hardware that holds it all together. Below is what a deck inspection covers, the warning signs to watch for, and how to get a free deck inspection from Strongpoint Garage & Deck.
Why Is a Yearly Deck Inspection Important?
A deck is a structure that holds people in the air, and it lives outside all year. Rain, snow, ice and summer sun work on the wood and metal every season. Freeze-thaw cycles here in western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities east metro can shift footings and loosen fasteners a little more each winter.
When decks fail, they often fail all at once, and usually with people on them. Engineer Frank Woeste, a co-author of a deck-failure inspection manual, has said the immediate cause is usually the connection to the house failing, while the underlying problem is "inadequate design, installation, and inspection" (Journal of Light Construction). In one 16-month stretch, deck failures reported in the news caused 225 injuries and one death, and many more go unreported (same source).
What Does a Deck Inspection Check?
A good deck inspection works from the most dangerous problems down to the cosmetic ones. Every Strongpoint Garage & Deck inspection uses a written deck report card that covers three areas: safety, code compliance and appearance. Each safety and code item is marked Pass, Repair or Replace, so you know exactly where your deck stands.
Safety: the items that can cause a collapse or injury
Ledger board and attachment to the house. The ledger is the board that connects your deck to your home. We check the bolts and fasteners, the flashing that keeps water out, and any water damage behind it. This is the most common place for a deck to pull away from a house.
Wood decay. We probe posts, joists, beams and deck boards for soft or rotted wood. Rot often starts where water sits, such as at post bases and where boards meet.
Railings. Loose, wobbly or damaged posts and rails are a fall risk, especially on raised decks and stairs.
Structural integrity. We look for sagging, leaning and movement. A deck that sways or bounces when people walk on it is telling you something.
Grills and fire features. We check clearances and heat shielding around grills, fire pits and fire tables, so heat isn't scorching or weakening the deck.
Lighting. Stairs and walkways need enough light to use safely at night, and outdoor wiring needs to be in good shape.
Code compliance: was it built right?
Many older decks were built to suit outdated building codes, or built without a permit. We compare yours against current standards.
Railing height and baluster spacing. Guards need to be tall enough, with gaps narrow enough that a small child can't slip through. Stair rails need to be easy to grab.
Hardware. Joist hangers, stair connectors and fasteners need to be the right type, fully nailed, and free of rust. Missing or improperly installed hardware is one of the most common problems we find.
Stair footings. Stairs should land on a proper footing or pad, not bare dirt or a loose paver.
Joist and beam spans. Joists and beams must be sized for the distance they cover. Undersized framing is a common cause of bouncy, sagging decks.
Cosmetic: how the deck looks and wears
These aren't safety issues today, but they shorten your deck's life and affect how it looks. Typically these issues arise for improper installation or low quality materials.
Deck boards: splitting, cupping, waves, and the condition of miter and butt joints.
Stain and finish: fading and peeling that leave wood exposed to water.
Fascia and skirting: loose or damaged trim around the deck.
Your recommended repairs, ranked by priority
At the end of the inspection, you get a list of recommended repairs and replacements. Each item is labeled Now, Soon or Later, so you know what has to be fixed before your next cookout and what can wait a season or two. The report is yours to keep.
How Do I Know If My Deck Is Safe? 8 Warning Signs
You don't need to be a contractor to spot trouble. Walk your deck and look underneath it. Call for an inspection if you see any of these:
The deck sways, bounces or feels loose when you walk across it.
Gaps or stains where the deck meets your house, or rust streaks below the ledger.
Soft, spongy or crumbling wood. If a screwdriver sinks easily into a post or joist, that's rot.
Wobbly railings that move when you lean on them.
Rusted, loose or missing hardware, such as joist hangers, bolts and nails.
Posts that lean or sit directly on the ground instead of a footing.
Cracked, split or cupped deck boards, or boards that flex underfoot.
Stairs that wobble, sag or land on dirt.
If your deck is more than 10 years old, was built by a previous owner, or you don't know whether it was permitted, get it inspected even if nothing looks wrong.
Deck Inspection FAQ
How often should a deck be inspected?
Once a year, as NADRA recommends. Winter is a good time, that way you can make any necessary repairs before the busy outdoor season. Also schedule one before you buy or sell a home, and after a heavy storm or a tree limb hits the deck.
How long does a deck last?
It depends on the materials, the climate and the upkeep. A well-built, maintained deck can last decades, but rot, rusted hardware and loose connections can make a younger deck unsafe. The deck's age matters less than its condition, and an inspection is how you find out its condition.
What is the most common cause of deck collapse?
The connection between the deck and the house, called the ledger, is the most common point of failure. Missing bolts, missing flashing and rot behind the ledger can let a deck pull away from the home.
Can I inspect my deck myself?
You can and should check for the warning signs above. A professional inspection goes further: probing hidden framing, checking hardware and spans, and comparing the deck to current code.
Is a free deck inspection really free?
Yes. A Strongpoint Garage & Deck inspection costs nothing and comes with no obligation to hire us. You keep the written report either way.
Can deck repairs be done in winter?
Often, yes. Deck resurfacing (new boards and railings), many repairs, and even new decks built on helical piles can be done when the ground is frozen.
Get Your Free Deck Inspection
Not sure if your deck is safe? Let us check it, for free. Strongpoint Garage & Deck offers free, no-obligation deck inspections for homeowners in western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities east metro.
Here's what you get:
A hands-on inspection of your deck's safety, code compliance and condition
A written deck report card with every item marked Pass, Repair or Replace
Recommended repairs ranked Now, Soon or Later
No pressure and no obligation. The report is yours to keep.
If we find something urgent, or you're ready for an upgrade, we'll give you a free estimate.
Schedule your free deck inspection today:
Call or text: 612-360-5224
Online: strongpointgarage.com
Our free inspection is a visual inspection of your deck's condition. It is not a municipal code inspection or engineering assessment.
Sources: Journal of Light Construction, "Deck Check" (NADRA annual inspection recommendation; ledger failure; injury figures).