| In many situations, a home with a deck is | | | | safety concerns can quickly convert what was |
| considered a huge plus point. And sadly there | | | | supposed to be a valued asset into a |
| are times when a deck can drag a house value | | | | demolition cost. |
| down like a boat anchor. A home inspector | | | | |
| will be looking for two major areas. They are | | | | Technology has improved many things, and the |
| about safety and second the condition of the | | | | deck is no exception. There is now deck |
| deck. | | | | material that is a mix of synthetic materials |
| | | | with real wood that last longer, with less |
| All too often, a deck is build and often | | | | maintenance. Gudrun has recent experience |
| added to a home, shall we say homebrew style. | | | | with this, and is delighted to share her |
| While the person(s) who originally put the | | | | experience. |
| deck up might not be familiar with technical | | | | |
| terms such as "static load", it does not mean | | | | The best insurance for a long life deck is a |
| it will be overlooked during a home | | | | underground support and construction. Have a |
| inspection. Moreover, the sad reality is even | | | | solid drainage for water and rain/snow to |
| good builders are human and make mistakes. | | | | prevent rotting from the underside. An |
| This showed up very recently in Tcat's life, | | | | annually deep cleaning is mandatory for all |
| when his old friends decided to add a deck | | | | wooden structures. Most of the hardwood |
| late in the construction of their new | | | | requires oiling or painting on a regular |
| custom-built home. The deck itself was | | | | basis. If you are prepared to spend some |
| structurally fine. It was the railing of this | | | | additional bucks on the initial setup |
| second-floor deck that was at best, sub | | | | consider synthetic material which looks like |
| optimal. Only a home inspection undertaken | | | | wood. Of course, this needs cleaning to, |
| before final acceptance of the house revealed | | | | however it will save you the painting/oiling, |
| the safety support from the railing was | | | | and the artificial material is not decaying. |
| little more than a visual warning. | | | | From the appearance, the newer material is |
| | | | hard to distinguish from wood. |
| Of course, even the best built decks do have | | | | |
| a finite lifespan. In the Pacific Northwest | | | | Come on! It's dark, stuffy and hot inside |
| of the United States, decks made of cedar | | | | this little box of electronics. Not only |
| (including the structural support) are quite | | | | that, we cannot hear you when you talk to us. |
| common. If the deck did not receive regular | | | | Send us an e-mail to tell us what topics you |
| maintenance with water seal treatment, wood | | | | would like to hear about. |
| rot, UV sunlight, temperature changes and | | | | |