** Is your deck safe? **

Now that the weather is breaking, people will be spending more time outside and on their decks. An unsafe deck could possibly collapse causing serious injuries to you and your family.

The number of deck failures resulting in injuries has been increasing at an alarming rate. In the last eight years there were at least 30 deaths reported as a direct result of decks collapsing and more then 75 percent of the people on a deck when it collapses are injured or killed. With more then 40 million decks in the United States that are over 20 yeas old, it’s important for a homeowner or a buyer to have a home inspector to carefully inspect the deck.

One way to make sure your deck is safe and code compliant, is to check with North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA). NADRA has a 10-point checklist. This is a good way to keep up on the maintenance of your deck. You might also consider hiring a home inspector to insure that every inch of the deck is secure and a report is generated to establish the condition of the deck. The home inspector will identify any dangerous problem areas and give you a map of what to keep your eye on in the future. If your deck is older (over 20 years) or shows signs of wear, this might be a great time to schedule an inspection.

Older decks require closer scrutiny; many of the decks were built before code requirements were in place to protect the consumer. If your deck is not safe or old–take action! Have it inspected, repaired or rebuilt, if necessary. If you choose a deck builder visit www.nadra.org. Remember there is more to consider than just price! For more information on this topic contact david@vahinspections.com.