Deck Inspection Services

Your deck should be professionally inspected at least once every two years. But, if your deck is more than 10 years old, it should be inspected at least once a year to ensure it’s safe and in good condition. Otherwise, you are more likely to spend on expensive repairs and, in some cases, have to replace your deck when your deck can still last for a few years.

A deck inspection involves looking for signs of damage, like decay and cracking, on the stairs, posts, support structures, beams, joists, ledges, boards and surfaces, handrail assemblies and guards, and other features of your deck. Aside from these, a deck inspector can also determine if an outdoor deck is compliant with local regulations and safety and accessibility guidelines.

Here are some signs there are potential problems with your deck:

• Discolored or soft areas in the wood: This indicates that there is wood rot or water damage on your deck. This demands immediate inspection and having your deck off limits until it’s been deemed safe or repaired since these can compromise its structural integrity. 
• Loose or damaged railings and deck boards: Having a professional inspect and repair these immediately allows you to save on repairs since loose or damaged railings and deck boards can easily worsen and cost more to repair in the future. 
• Damaged or deteriorated ledge flashing: The flashing between your ledger boards and your home provides a watertight barrier between the two structures. You need to have it inspected immediately to ensure your deck and home are safe. 
• New gaps between your deck boards: Wood shreds material and shrinks naturally over time. But, this can be a safety concern if the gaps are large enough for a foot.
• Insect infestation: If you see mud tubes or insects swarming around on or near your deck, you need to have it inspected as soon as possible. Your deck or nearby areas might have an infestation and addressing it immediately can increase the chances of you restoring your deck and preventing its total loss.

As you can guess, these would require repairs to ensure the safety of your home and prevent the total loss of your deck. Aside from deck inspection, Nashville Deck Systems can also revitalize your outdoor space with top-notch deck repair services in Nashville, ensuring your deck remains a beautiful and safe haven for relaxation.

It cannot completely prevent future repairs since some parts of your deck will need replacing eventually. However, a regular deck inspection can prevent you from more expensive repairs and even demolishing and replacing it completely.

If you did your deck yourself, it is best to have a professional inspect it to ensure its structural integrity and safety. This is the same if you are considering buying a property that comes with a deck. You have no idea about its state so having a professional inspector look at it can help you determine if the cost it adds to the price tag is worth it.

It is recommended to inspect your deck by yourself at least once or twice per year. But, it should still be inspected by a professional once every two years and once per year if it is more than 10 years old.