Deck Inspections: The Most Overlooked Home Maintenance Task

Deck inspections are quite possibly the most commonly overlooked home maintenance task. Perhaps it is because it is an outdoor extension of a home’s living space, or perhaps it is due to its seasonality of active use. No matter the reason, it is critically important to perform this maintenance task regularly to avoid the dangerous risk of deck collapse.

The number of deck failures resulting in injuries is increasing at an alarming rate. According to the North America Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), there are over 40 million decks in the U.S. that are over 20 years old, which means they were built prior to current building code standards and may hold greater risk than newer decks.

If that staggering statistic doesn’t encourage you to inspect your deck, take a look at this video from the NADRA Western Washington Chapter performing a simulated deck collapse.

NADRA offers a fantastic, free consumer checklist for deck inspections available for download from their website. They also offer a very thorough deck evaluation checklist for builders and inspectors to assist in the evaluation process.

While these documents can aid you in determining if you need to perform any repairs to your deck, there are a few things that should always be left to the professionals:

• Waterproofing a deck, especially a deck over living space
• Waterproofing under exterior tile
• Replacing a railing system by puncturing a waterproofing membrane

When it comes to waterproofing decks, patios and roof decks over living space, the performance is all in the details and we cannot stress enough the importance of utilizing the services of a deck waterproofing professional well versed in the intricate details involved in successful waterproofing of your outdoor living space.

Duradek Ultra walkable, waterproof vinyl membrane, Duradek Tiledek under tile waterproof membrane, and Durarail powder-coated aluminum railing systems are all available only through Duradek’s network of trained and authorized waterproofing experts.