Things to Check before Deck Inspection Services

Your deck is the focal point of your home’s outdoor space. It’s where you entertain, spend time with the family, and just relax under the stars during the summer. With all the benefits of having a deck as part of your property, you should also invest in routine deck inspection services to make sure that this outdoor space is safe and sturdy for its purpose.

But before your reliable inspectors get to your house, you should do a self-inspection first following these tips:

Look for Signs of Insect Damage

Being exposed to the outdoors, your deck is the ideal breeding ground for insects. Although most materials for making decks are now treated with chemicals that keep insects away, there’s still some chance that your deck might be infested with ants and termites that could cause serious damage to its framework.

If you notice even the slightest sway when you walk on your deck, it is worth noting this observation to your deck inspector to see what can be done to address this problem.

Look for Cracks

Small cracks are a normal part of your deck’s wear and tear, especially if it’s been around for a long time. But cracks around fasteners and between joists could be a sign of serious damage to your deck and should be addressed right away before it causes serious problems in the future.

Depending on the recommendations of your deck inspection services, you should seal and stain your deck at least every two years to reduce cracks that are caused by water, heat, and cold exposure.

Look for Rusting

Your deck may look good on the outside, but it could be suffering from some serious damages on the inside. So when inspecting your deck, you should look closely at your connectors, joists, and fasteners for any signs of rusting, which could make your deck weak and potentially dangerous to use. If you detect any rust on nails, screws, bolts, and other connectors, you should call deck inspection services right away.

Look for Signs of Mold and Mildew Exposure

Because of its constant exposure to the elements, your deck will develop mold and mildew at some point during its lifespan. Your steps are most susceptible to mildew growth, which could make it slippery and unsafe.

If you notice any green tint on your deck, make sure to wash and stain it regularly to address the problem. But if you see mushroom-like growth in your deck, it could be mold and fungus that could be a sign of bigger problems. Call your deck inspector right away to have your deck checked.

Your deck offers a lot of benefits to your house. Aside from being an extension of your living space, it also adds value to your property and makes it more attractive to future buyers.

So if you want to make the most of this investment, you have to make sure that regular deck inspection services are done to protect your deck from any serious damages.

Deck Inspectors for Southern California is happy to offer our services in Los Angeles, Orange County as well as San Diego and all Southern California surrounding areas like: Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica, Anaheim, Temecula, Vista, Escondido, Carlsbad, and El Cajon