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Decks are thought of as places for us to enjoy—to entertain or relax. But before we can really relax on our decks, we need to know that they are safe.

According to experts, the deck is the most dangerous place in the house. More injuries and more deaths occur on decks than anywhere else, and of all structural failures other than those caused by hurricanes and tornadoes, collapsing decks cause the most damage. Between 2000 and 2006, there were 30 fatalities in the United States alone.

If you already have a deck, it’s probably in need of an annual “deck check.”
The North American Deck and Railing Association recommends that you check different areas of the deck for splitting or decay. This is especially important on the ledger board, where the deck meets the house. Poke the wood with a sharp screwdriver or an ice pick. If you can easily penetrate the wood to a quarter or half inch, or it you break off wood without splinters, there may be decay. If so, the wood should be replaced.

Check for small holes in the wood. Those may be signs of insect damage and you might need to call a professional exterminator.

Put pressure on your railings and banisters to make sure they are secure. Then check all fastening hardware such as screws, nails, and anchors for loose items that need to be tightened.

Here is some important information if you are planning on building your own deck.
It’s estimated that this year 2,500,000 decks will be built in the US. Many of these will be built by homeowners themselves, people who may not be aware of the importance of correct building requirements for long-term deck safety.

Part of the problem is that the U.S. national building codes offer little coverage on residential decks and local building codes vary greatly. It’s important to check with your local government agency that issues building permits before starting on your deck.

Remember that most deck failures occur at the place where the deck joins the house. Make sure you use quality fasteners of more than sufficient strength and durability. Treated lumber contains copper that can corrode steel fasteners, so check the corrosion-resistance of the kind you select. A good source of information can be found at http:// www.strongtie.com

Plan on putting an additional support under the deck next to the house. This can act as a fail-safe in case the deck were to fail and can prevent serious injury.
If you are building your deck with wood, you might want to consult the International Residential Code for building materials. It offers tables that recommend what size boards to use. For example, the IRC suggests that if you use pine wood for floor joists, you need to use 2” x 10” boards, spaced 24” on center to span 13’. It also gives guidance for railings: 36” minimum height with posts no greater than 6’ apart and attached with 2.5” diameter thru bolts and washers.

If you are planning on using composite materials such as the popular Trex@, there is a web site that gives strength specifications on a variety of manufacturer’s products. http://www.icces.org/reports/index.cfm?csi_num=06610&view_details=yes.

The wonderful feeling of recreation and repose that a deck can provide shouldn’t be compromised by concerns for safety. Taking the time and expense to ensure that your deck is a safe place for you and your family pays dividends in years of peace of mind.

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