Time for a Deck Inspection? Here’s a Handy Checklist (and How You Can DIY)
You don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to inspect your deck
Highlights
Inspect the deck yourself every year.
The biggest problem to look out for is wood rot.
Call a deck builder to inspect a deck in a new home.
Once your deck is more than 10 years old, consider an annual pro inspection.
Your deck is the perfect place to hold a backyard bash, play with your kids and pets, exercise, or just relax and unwind. However, it’s essential to keep it safe by performing a deck inspection every year. Regular deck inspections can save you from worrying about your next fun cookout ending in disaster. Let’s review how to perform deck inspections.
Why Are Deck Inspections Important?
Outdoor decks are constantly exposed to the elements and heavy loads—think piles of snow in the winter and groups of people in the summer.
Wooden decks are especially prone to cracks, splinters, warping, rotting, and insect damage. Your deck's age and construction also affect its durability. Many decks are well over the typical life expectancy of 20 years, and some might not even pass a deck safety checklist laid out by modern building codes.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, decks are responsible for a surprising number of injuries annually. Railing breakages, raised boards, stair problems, or even total collapse are typical offenders. If you don’t regularly inspect your deck for structural deterioration, this heavily used area of your home can become a safety hazard. Plus, issues left too long are more costly and complex to repair.
Inspections Before Building a Deck
When you are building a deck for the first time, a local inspector will review your design plans to ensure they meet local zoning codes and regulations.
Once your deck is complete, a city inspector should do a final check to sign off on and close out the permit process. Make sure this inspection covers the following:
Footing inspection prior to pouring concrete
Framing check to ensure it meets safety standards
Base sizes and holes to confirm they are in compliance and match your plans
Location check to ensure the deck won’t obstruct septic tanks, fuel storage, well heads, or buried power lines
How to Perform DIY Deck Inspections
Ready to go over your deck with a fine-toothed comb? Below are the key areas of focus when doing your annual deck inspection. For professionally constructed decks less than five years old, an annual visual inspection should be enough as long as you stay on a good maintenance schedule regardless of age, deck materials, or condition.
Wood
There are many common deck problems when it comes to wooden decks. Two of the most common are pests and rot.
Some types of wood have been treated to prevent ants and termites from calling your deck home, but wooden decks built before the 1980s likely weren’t. Humid climates are also more susceptible to pest invasions, so inspect deck areas closely for mud tubes or termite pellets.
Wood rot can quickly cause deck failure. The easiest way to tell if wood is rotting is to poke it with a screwdriver. Rotting wood will be soft to the touch. If you can easily push the screwdriver into the wood 1/4-inch deep, there’s a problem.
Here’s an overarching deck inspection checklist for wood:
Check key areas of your wooden deck for rot, including support posts, boards, joists (beams under the deck), railings, and stairs.
Keep an eye on any cracks. If they grow in size, replace the entire deck board.
Check the ledger board, which is the large, main piece of lumber that attaches the deck to the house. Ensure the nails aren't loose or detaching.
Check for evidence of pest damage. Small holes or piles of wood dust are telltale signs.
Flashing
All decks should have metal or plastic flashing running along the length of the ledger board and in other sensitive areas where moisture and debris can collect between the deck and your home.
Check that the flashing remains firmly in place.
Make sure water isn’t collecting anywhere it shouldn’t.
Fasteners
Fasteners are important parts of a deck that keep all your boards and structural components held securely together.
Ensure that no nails or deck tension hardware components are missing.
Check all structural screws, bolts, and tension ties to ensure they are tightly in place.
Replace fasteners showing signs of major rust or corrosion.
Railings
Deck railing injuries are common, so inspect your railings thoroughly to keep all your guests safe.
Check your deck railings to ensure they are stable. If you push on a railing and there’s any give, call a pro for repair.
Confirm railings aren’t showing any signs of rot.
Make sure your post and baluster spacings follow all railing requirements.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew might seem inevitable if you live in a humid climate, but you should still be proactive and treat them as soon as you see them so that they don’t get out of control.
Look for spots that resemble green algae or moss (this is mold).
Look for tiny black spots across your deck boards (this is mildew).
Closely inspect any areas of your deck that tend to let water pool.
Electrical Outlets
If your deck has an electrical outlet, there are other safety considerations.
Make sure the outlet is no more than 6 and 1/2 feet above the ground.
Ensure the outlet has a waterproof cover.
Make sure the outlet has GFCI protection.
When to Hire a Deck Pro for Inspection
If you spot any worrying signs in your annual deck inspection, don’t delay in calling out the pros before it becomes a bigger problem. A reputable deck repair service near you will have the knowledge and skills to conduct a general inspection if you’ve just moved into a new home with a deck. They can also alert you to any damage, make sure the deck conforms with current local building codes, and fix any issues.
When your deck is around five years old, it’s time for another general inspection. For decks over ten years old, you may want to get a professional inspection out every year or two. As the deck ages, it’s more prone to developing problems. A professional can spot these more easily and recommend appropriate action before they spiral out of control, so you can get back to the grill and soak up the sunshine.
Deck Maintenance
To keep your deck in excellent condition, perform regular deck maintenance beyond your annual inspections. Plan to follow these guidelines:
Reseal and stain your deck every one to two years to keep it weather-resistant.
Remove snow from your deck quickly so it doesn’t weaken the wood.
Check the health of your eaves and gutters—they should not be leaving pools of water on your deck.
De-winterize your deck before spring, if it hasn’t been in use.
Gemma Johnstone and Barbara Zito contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conduct a yearly inspection to ensure that your deck is safe for use. In general, these are warning signs of a deck that needs to be repaired or replaced: cracked or warped deck boards, too high or narrow stairs, railings that are broken or wobbly, fasteners that are loose, and joists that are old or softened. If your deck was built 10 or more years ago, call in a deck professional for a more thorough inspection and recommendations for maintenance and repair.
The 7-foot rule states there should be at least 7 feet between the bottom of a footing and daylight. Any posts in direct contact with the ground need to be pressure-treated and properly oriented. That said, the exact required depth for footings will vary based on local deck building codes.
The most common reason for a deck to collapse is because the deck starts to pull away from the home, triggered by an improperly attached ledger board. If the ledger board doesn't have flashing attaching, it can cause water damage and a deck failure. Sometimes, a very heavy snow load can cause a deck to collapse.
The typical life span of a wood deck is 10 to 15 years. With proper care, composite decking can last for 25 to 30 years. The actual life span of your deck will depend on the material you choose and your commitment to maintenance tasks. Maintenance includes clearing the deck of dirt and debris, tackling repairs as soon as you notice them, and washing the deck on a regular basis.