Is Your Deck Safe? 5 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

As Deck Safety Month is celebrated every May, deck safety ambassadors from the North American Deck and Railing Association highlight that with more than 60 million decks in the U.S. (50m residential and 10m commercial), it is estimated that 30 million decks are past their useful life and need to be replaced or repaired. Homeowners must have their decks inspected to verify the integrity of their deck to ensure user safety as well as help extend the deck’s life span, improve appearance, and increase livability. CCD Law emphasizes that the single most significant cause of a deck, porch, or balcony structure is poor maintenance. Both metal and wooden structures require periodic inspections, especially after the five-year mark.

NBC’s Today News reported that more than 500 people are injured in deck collapses every year, and sometimes, they can be fatal. The most significant dangers for any wood deck include defective hardware, moisture, and decay. Once your deck starts to decay, it fails fast, mainly if it affects the part where the deck connects to the house. Therefore, it is crucial to know what makes your deck unsafe. How can you tell if your deck is at risk? Here are the five warning signs you shouldn’t ignore:

5 Warning Signs that Your Deck is Unsafe

1. Loose Railings

Loose railings can significantly compromise the safety of your deck, which poses an imminent danger to your family and friends. The railing must be structurally stable to withstand users who lean against it. Railings that move when pushed or leaned on indicate weak connections. Loose railings not only pose a risk for falls and injuries but can also indicate underlying structural problems that cause your railing supports to move.

2. Cracked Boards

Many homeowners would notice that cracks start appearing on their decks over time. When decks are exposed to changes in humidity and temperature, certain deck materials, like wooden boards, expand and contract, which can lead to cracking over time. UV rays can also cause the wood to dry out and become brittle, making your boards susceptible to cracking. Improper installation of deck boards, such as those that are too tightly spaced, does not allow for the natural expansion and contraction of the wood, which can also lead to cracking.

3. Wood Rot

Moisture and water damage can cause your wood deck parts to rot. It can appear discolored and gray and may even be breaking apart in places, indicating weakened or rotted wood. If the wood feels spongy and you can easily press an inch nail or screwdriver into the lumber, this may indicate wood rot. Rotted wood weakens the entire deck structure, exposing you to higher risks of deck collapse and accidents. If your deck is left untreated, rot can destroy its structural integrity. Regular inspections and treatments can prevent wood rot, protecting both the deck and its users.

Fig. 1. Rotted wood of a deck replaced by Modern Handymen & Remodel in Nashville, TN

4. Molds and Mildew

With exposure to humidity and moisture, your outdoor deck can become susceptible to mold and mildew. Molds and mildew appear to exist on damp surfaces of your deck over time. They break down the integrity of your deck, making it vulnerable to chips, cracks, crumbling, and other damage. Molds and mildew are also hazardous to human health, as they can produce toxic substances and cause serious illnesses and infections, especially for individuals with allergies, asthma, and other sensitivities.

Fig. 2. Wooden deck boards with molds replaced by Modern Handymen & Remodel in Nashville, TN

5. Rusted fasteners and hardware

CCD Law suggests that water is the primary cause of most collapses. Water will seep into the structure—especially at the supports and where the structure is fixed to the building. Water can cause wood to dry rot and metal to rust. When wet, fasteners and other metal hardware, such as nails and screws, start to rust. Decks near the beach are also prone to corrosion due to daily exposure to sea spray (saltwater). Corrosion of the metal fasteners and hardware is a visual warning that critical structural components of your deck may be unsafe. Rusting ruins the integrity of the metal, which may cause your deck connections to fail. Failure of the rusty metal connections can cause your deck to collapse. Any rusting hardware must be replaced. Materials like galvanized steel or aluminum can be used on your deck to reduce the chance of breakdown. The 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) requires stainless steel for decks located within 300 feet of a saltwater shoreline. Choosing the right material that suits your deck's location will help you keep your deck safe throughout all seasons.

Fig. 3. Aluminum deck screws and fasteners installed by Modern Handymen & Remodel in Nashville, TN

Our Approach to Structural Assessments & Rebuilds

Our home’s deck can be an outdoor sanctuary for relaxation and entertainment. Still, it requires regular maintenance to remain safe and secure. Regular inspections can help you catch potential safety issues of your deck early. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the detection of life-safety deck deficiencies generally requires specialized knowledge and experience in deck inspection. ASHI suggests that the deck structure should be evaluated by a qualified person, such as a professional engineer with knowledge and expertise in the structural evaluation of potentially unsafe deck parts relative to the loading requirements of the current building code, to determine if the deck is safe in its current condition for future use. If the structure has not been evaluated, the deck should not be occupied until it has been repaired or replaced. More than the visible warning signs that your deck is unsafe, professional inspectors examine all aspects of your deck, including its attachment to the house, structural supports, decking boards, railings, and stairs. A proactive approach to immediately mitigate its risks is carefully considered to keep you and your deck safe.

Modern Handymen & Remodel has a team of professionals who offer expert assessments of your existing deck and deck builders who can create high-quality deck design and construction services in Nashville and Brentwood, TN. Our comprehensive inspection of your deck can help you identify potential hazards, maintain your deck’s integrity, and upgrade your outdoor living area safely for you and your guests.

Case study: Repair vs Rebuild

There are many situations where both repairs and a rebuild of your deck are feasible, but you must decide which is the best and practical choice. When your deck safety is compromised, deciding whether to repair or rebuild your existing deck is crucial. It is essential to consider the age of your existing deck as a deciding factor whether to repair or replace it. When you have estimated that the remaining lifespan of your deck is shorter, it may be practical to rebuild it to save time and money. When you have decided that a deck repair is the most beneficial in the meantime, consider that basic maintenance will be needed within the next few years.

Modern Handymen & Remodel can help you evaluate the overall safety of your deck through its step-by-step process for meticulously examining every critical component of a deck’s structure. Our detailed deck assessment provides homeowners with an easy way to identify major safety issues that may require professional repair or replacement. Contact us today at 615-200-8071 to schedule a consultation and start your deck’s safety check before it’s too late. Make sure your deck is safe—let’s begin the inspection now!