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Decks need a leg to stand on
Barbecues are firing up and cushions are getting placed on outdoor furniture as life on our decks returns – at least for four months of sunny Seattle weather! As we do so I’ve been noticing several problems with decks that are often missed or neglected:
#1 – The deck should be secured with bolts to the house. This provides the horizontal support when you and your friends are enjoying an afternoon picnic.
#2 – The posts should be secured to the footing and upper support structure. Nails, or more ideally screws, should ensure that no movement is possible with these posts. (I found this deck post teetering precariously on a piece of scrap wood!)
#3 – Minimize direct contact between any wood components and the ground or concrete patio. Rot fungus will decay these structural points and speed the need for repairs or replacements.
#4 – Stain or seal all bare wood. While cedar boards handle the northwest weather well, they handle it much better under the protective cover of a stain or sealant.
#5 – Ensure balusters, the vertical boards, are spaced 4 inches or less for the protection of children.
#6 – Clear all debris from under the deck. Wood scraps and other debris can attract wood destroying organisms looking for easy food sources (i.e. termites and carpenter ants) and nesting areas for rodents.
