Now that the weather’s warming up in the Twin Cities, it’s time to get the furniture and the grill out on the deck. Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or recently installed a deck, make sure it’s safe by looking into these problem areas.
Attachment to the House
When it comes to collapses of Minnesota decks, the most common culprit is improper connection to the house. Make sure that the attachment is solid by looking for bolds, lag screws, SDS screws or other reliable connectors holding the deck to the wall of your home. If you find nothing but small screws and nails, you know it’s time to fix the problem before something happens.
Flashing
A commonly missed feature is the flashing between the deck and the home. Flashing keeps water from seeping between the deck and siding. Make sure it’s there by looking under your deck for a sliver of metal visible between the two structures. Even if you see it, unless it extends far enough to tuck under the siding, it may not be properly installed.
Joist Hangar Installation
These fixtures come with specific instructions from the manufacturer which detail the kinds of nails you need and their weight limits. When looking at the hangars, make sure all nails are present, screws are not being used instead, and the hangars are undamaged. If the nails have the number 10 visible, they’re the wrong type which makes the structure unstable.
Rot
Test for rot by poking suspicious areas with a screwdriver. Pay close attention to where two boards intersect and where the deck meets the house. If there’s a lot of rotten wood, it’s time to install a new deck.
Stairway Attachment
The stairway must also be installed properly with a bracket designed for the task. When inspecting, make sure all nails are there and that a joist hangar bracket isn’t being used instead.
Guardrail
This rail should be able to withstand up to 200 lbs of pressure, so if it wobbles when you press on it, it’s not up to code. Remember that balusters need to be placed closely enough together that a 4” sphere won’t fit between them and that they’re not arranged horizontally. These two factors prevent kids from getting their heads stuck between the planks of wood and take away the temptation of climbing the “ladder”.
Iron River Construction installs and repairs decks in the Twin Cities and greater metro area.
