May was deck safety month – so you’ve probably either started to enjoy the deck already – or even, started a checklist for maintenance for the year. Maybe you’ve found a few loose boards or nails sticking out. Now that summer has arrived, it’s the best time to do a safety check for the summer, before any gathering takes place.
Check the Deck
The first things you may notice – or may not even see – are the loose deck boards or any nails sticking out. If there are any boards that are not intact, in worst case scenario, could cause falls. If nails are sticking out of boards, that is also an important issue that needs to be remedied as well, as nobody wants to get injured by simply walking on the deck. Other things to look out for include checking for decay or cracking. If you are tired of having to go through costly maintenance from wood decks, it’s probably time to upgrade to PVC or composite decks.
If you do have PVC or composite decking, you can still look for concerns – for example, if the deck is situated where it gets low exposure from the sun, you might check for mold or mildew that can create a slipping hazard and should be cleaned. If you have lighting on the deck, now is the time to change any burnt out bulbs. Also be sure to check steps, stairs and rails for sturdiness, as they are vital for safety.
Expand to Include the Surrounding Area
Other factors for safety extend to the surrounding areas as well. These factors include trees and plants – and making sure that there are no debris, as well as making sure plants are low from the sides of the deck and not causing obstruction. Buildup of debris from plants or trees can include anything from leaves to branches, and can cause reduced visibility or obstruction of steps in best case scenario, or a tripping hazard in worst case scenarios.
Another surrounding area of concern includes underneath the deck – in particular, lattice needs to be checked that it’s in place. Replacement lattice can be found at your local hardware store, but if you want to replace that with something more reliable, try composite fascia boards or matching rise boards.
Grills are also a good thing to consider, as they should be carefully placed to not exposing heat to the deck. This is, regardless of the material, as wood, PVC and composite would all have issues with too much heat.
Add a Deck Railing
Deck railing is one of the most important features to deck safety. As we discussed in our 5 REASONS TO INCORPORATE DECK RAILING IN YOUR DECK REMODEL, deck railings are an essential element to deck designs – primarily, because it adds a layer of safety to the deck – but secondarily because it adds an aesthetic appeal. Deck railings are available in several different materials, sizes and colors to best suit your deck and match your style. From cable, glass, wood, aluminum, PVC, vinyl or composite, there are numerous types of material that can be selected for any deck project.
Deck rails offer safety for a variety of cases – from providing easier mobility on the deck for those with mobility issues, to offering more assistance for wet and slippery conditions due to weather situations to even keeping smaller children or pets from slipping or falling off the deck. In some areas, railings are even a requirement if the deck itself is a certain height from the ground.
We’ll make it simple with a little check-list of what to inspect on your deck railing.
- Grab the rail and pull on it to see how sturdy it is. Test its strength and look for any loose or weak points.
- Check for damage on the material and look at the balusters to make sure that too, is still intact.
- If you have a cable railing, be sure to tighten the cable, as that is something that can loosen over time.
- If you have steps going down from the deck, consider installing a rail if there isn’t already one present. Old wood or vinyl railings can be easily upgraded with composite or aluminum TimberTech railing options.
About Warehouse ’71
Warehouse ’71 is like your personal warehouse of building materials for DIYers and home remodelers! We offer premium decking, railing, siding and more for 20%-40% off big box store pricing. Our inventory consists of recently discontinued colors, product lines, and overstocked materials that carry full manufacturer warranties from premium brands like TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Deckorators®, Diamond Kote® and more. Products are available for same-day pickup or delivery. Warehouse ’71 only sells material from brands you can trust, and our experts can help you find a product without breaking your budget!
