Deck Safety
10-Point Deck Safety Checklist
Inspect your home’s deck each spring so you can enjoy a fun, safe summer. Download this free 10-point checklist from our friends at NADRA.
Deck Evaluation Checklist
For contractors and deck builders, here is a deck evaluation checklist to follow to ensure you don’t miss something when you inspect a deck.
How to Talk With a Deck Contractor
When you work with a professional deck builder, you want to be prepared. Here is an article to help you prepare for that meeting so it can be productive.
Deck Safety First: Protect What Matters
Educate. Inspect. Correct. That is the campaign of the North American Decking & Railing Association (NADRA) to promote deck safety. NADRA has been leading the charge to prevent deck-related injuries, naming May as Deck Safety Month.
Every May, NADRA reminds us of the importance of checking decks to ensure that any issues can be addressed before summer, when families use their decks the most. Hen-House Decks is a proud member of NADRA, and we fully embrace the organization’s deck safety initiatives.
“Check Your Deck”
Michael Beaudry, executive vice president of NADRA, estimated that about 30 million of the country’s roughly 60 million decks were beyond their useful lives. What about your deck? Is it in good condition?
“Your roof has a life expectancy. Your windows have a life expectancy. What about your deck?” Beaudry said.
As seasons change, Ohio’s weather— from freezing winters to scorching summers— can really take a toll on your deck. The cold can cause wood to expand and contract, leading to cracks, while the summer heat and humidity can cause fading and rot. These fluctuations can weaken the integrity of your deck over time, requiring routine assessments to ensure it’s still up to the task.
NADRA's 10-Point Deck Safety Checklist for Homeowners
The 10-point checklist by NADRA provides homeowners with a simple guide to evaluate their deck’s overall safety and condition. It covers inspecting structural wood components like joists, posts, and ledger boards for rot or deterioration.
The checklist also recommends checking fasteners, railings, lighting fixtures, and potential hazards in the deck surroundings. It gives homeowners an easy way to identify major safety issues that might require professional repair or replacement.
NADRA's Deck Evaluation Checklist for Deck Contractors
NADRA’s Deck Evaluation Checklist provides a thorough, step-by-step process for meticulously examining every critical component of a deck’s structure. This includes assessing the ledger attachment, footings, support posts, beams, joists, decking surfaces, stairs, railings, and other features. The checklist guides experts through evaluating new and existing decks’ structural integrity, safety, and code compliance. The detailed criteria for each deck element allow for consistent and reliable professional deck inspections.
