Home Inspections: Unsafe Decks by Eric Badgley
Decks are so commonplace that people tend to take them for granted. In
fact, decks that are not well maintained can pose a serious safety risk
to life and limb.
People tend to take deck safety for granted. Sellers, buyers, realtors,
and even home inspectors who should know better, might walk right up on
an unsafe deck.
Decks are simple and so common that we seldom even think about
them. In other words, they are taken for granted. While that is
the reality, often decks, even the low ones, can be treacherous.
They are prone to concealed rot on beams, joists, columns and
decking boards. This can lead to soft spots, springiness or even
collapse. I know realtors who have fallen through, or off,
decayed or dangerous decks. I know one home inspector who fell
through a deck and hurt his ribs. One realtor was left hanging
from a high deck, with his arms over the joists, after the
decking gave way. In another instance a realtor sustained
serious neck injuries after falling from a deck. |
|
|
And, in yet another case, a lady realtor fell through
rotten decking boards, on a low deck, and put a welt on her leg. She was
lame for several weeks.
Warning: Before you tread on decks, even low ones,
use caution and give them a once over with your eye prior to walking on
them. A fresh coat of paint or stain might, instead of being a positive
statement about deck maintenance, be a negative factor. Often people,
who understand nothing about construction, know that the deck has
problems and they simply paint over the rot. This makes the deck even
more dangerous because it conceals the most obvious visual defects.
About the Author
This article was produced by the writing team of Eric Badgley;
specializing in
Semihamoo
Washington Real Estate and Birch Bay Washington Real Estate, along
with Sudden Valley WA home inspectors. Making sure buyers are protected
|
