Avoid Deck Collapse Tragedies Through Self Inspection and Routine Maintenance
Because most decks are elevated it is almost impossible to avoid injury during a collapse. Injuries resulting from a porch or deck collapse can be fatal so care should be taken to regularly inspect and maintain your deck. Here are some tips and resources that will help you recognize the signs of a dangerous porch or deck so you and your loved ones can avoid injury.
Decks collapse for a number of reasons from structural issues like rot and improper building techniques, to loose boards, excessive weight, and poor maintenance. If you are thinking about building your own deck you may want to get the help of a licensed and insured contractor. Having a contractor help you with the construction of your deck will help ensure proper methods are used to maximize safety. Choose a contractor that is licensed and insured with the state or county.
Even if you want to build a deck yourself you may want to invest a small amount of money and time into purchasing and reading the “Manual for Inspection of Residential Wood Decks and Balconies”. This manual for how a deck should be built and maintained is sponsored by Viginia Tech University and the International Code Council. In in you will find detailed information on railing heights, structural design, and routine repair. The guide is easy to use and is perfect for homeowners and contractors.
Deck failures can be avoided by following proper building methods and by ahering to the weight reccomendations set by your contractor or deck manufacturer. Deck collapses can happen at any time including during weddings, parties, barbeques, and birthdays because often there are too many guests on the deck or porch at one time.
Underlying causes for deck collapses like rot and structural damage with the added strain of excess weight often lead to tradgedies. During one deck collapse, Robert Gerisch and his wife Betty were both critically injured. He was hospitalized for 6 months with a head injury and Betty suffered a broken neck and spinal cord. Betty will never walk again. During the summer of 1995 more than 100 concert goers were injured when a deck collapsed at a Grateful Dead concert in St. Louis.
In one week during June 2003 two deck collapses made major headlines. On the night of June 29, 2003 a deck at a Chicago home collapsed injuring more than 55 persons and caused 13 deaths. On June 23 of the same week a deck collapsed in Des Moines in which 8 people were hurt and thankfully no one was killed. Of all the decks and porches that have collapsed in the past 5 years all of them used nails to secure the deck to a house or building.
Even freestanding decks that were built using nails fail and collapse causing terrible injuries. The best way to secure a deck is to use bolts during construction instead of nails. Lag bolts have nine times the resistance of a nail and by using a flat washer on both sides you can displace some of the pressure on the joints. With bolts you are much more likely to see a problem and fix it before it turns into a tradgedy, unlike nails that rip out without notice.
You can inspect your deck or porch on your own and then call a licensed and insured contractor to make repairs and adjustments if neccessary. When visually inspecting your deck look for the following:
Rot and Mildew
Broken or Cracked Boards
Loose Railings and Steps
Dirt, Debris, and Excess Water
Broken or Cracked Supports
Sinking or Crooked Posts
If you find rot or mildew on any part of your deck or porch you should try to remedy the situation immeadiately. A mixture of bleach and water will kill most mildew in 10-15 mintues, at which time you can just wash it away with a hose. If the mildew is extensive try using a soft scrub brush to remove it from the surface of the wood. If rot is extensive you may have to replace the entire board. With floorboards, this is easy and you can probably do it yourself. If structural joints, posts, or supports are rotting you may want to call a contractor before doing it yourself.
If you have to replace floor boards try to use treated wood if you can afford it. Treated wood will last longer, but not forever and will need to be replaced too if it becomes damaged in any way. You should always try to keep your deck clear of dirt, debris, and water. Dirt and water only speed up the decaying process of wood so you should take care to keep your deck dry and clean. Make sure run off water from your roof is not streaming down onto your deck or in between supports as it will cause damage after a period of time.
If, during your visual inspection of your deck find that the posts are crooked or sinking, you have cracked, warped, or broken supports, or you have loose railings or steps, stay off your deck until it is properly repaired. If you have structural damage you should call a licensed and insured contractor to make repairs. Never go out onto a deck that is tipping or pulling away from the building or has any other major structural damage. Deck collapses are not only a danger during the summer, but during the winter too.
Many people have reported deck collapses during the dead of winter, and in early spring too. The age of your deck has a lot to do with its safety because weather can really take a toll on wood after a couple of years, especially if it’s untreated wood. Also, over time nails tend to loosen up and boards will shift around and may stick up on the edges. Use wood screws when building your deck to ensure a tight fit that beats nails any day.
Pots, planters, chairs and tables, benches, and even your grill can leave stains on the surface of your deck. Use outdoor rugs or carpet to protect high traffic, high heat, and high moisture areas on your deck. You can buy a grill pad that is made of thick rubber like plastic that protects your stain or finish from the high heat of your grill at most hardware or home improvement stores. Outdoor runners and rugs can give slippery spots traction, help protect the surface of your deck from water and dirt, and can also complement your deck decor.
Use rubber mats under plants and pots to keep moisture from seeping into your deck or porch. Railings and steps should be sturdy enough to hold someone back should they fall. Make sure your ralings are up to code by following height and spacing requirements and use bolts to secure them to the deck. Improperly built railings and stairs can and will break possibly causing serious injury.
If you are using your deck often you should inspect it often. Over time, even treated wood begins to weather and the result is cracking, splitting, and weakness in the supports and joints of your deck. To ensure your safety and the safety of others you should inspect your deck for damage regularly.
For more information on deck and porch safety visit the North American Deck and Railing Association at http://www.nadra.org. There are no national statistics at this time for injuries and deaths related to porch and deck collapses but you can find out more information at http://www.cbsnews.com or http://www.pbs.org. Have a safe and happy summer!
