Deck Inspection – Tufdek Vinyl Decking

Whether you are building a new deck, upgrading, or inheriting through a purchase – it’s vital to do a deck inspection and take the following Tufdek recommended steps to ensure that your vinyl decking is safe.

Although the building of a deck seems like a straightforward enterprise, unsafe deck construction can be found in an estimated 60% of existing decks.

To Talk to Our Decking Experts
Call toll-free 1-877-860-9333

What Factors Affect Safe Decking Design?

While in design they may appear simplistic, the fact is that deck structures must be able to resist certain stresses, loads, and variables – the same as the house itself. And while you might consider the load that is on the deck – you also have to consider lateral and uplift loads that can occur due to wind or (in some areas) seismic activity. These loads change depending on several factors, including the weight of materials, objects on the deck, people, and weather activity. You might benefit from a professional deck inspection or check out some Tufdek building tips for more information.

What Are The Dangers Of Unsafe Decks?

An unsafe deck may appear in perfect working order – until it isn’t. The problem is that the media only reports deck failures that result in significant injury, there is no central body that tracks issues with decks. However, gathering deck inspection evidence from inspectors provides an indication that up to 60% of decks are unsafe. Each year, hundreds of people are hurt and several people are killed when their decks collapse. While winter troubles like snow can certainly contribute to deck failure, one interesting statistic to consider is that more deck failures occur during the summer (when decks are in use) than the entire rest of the year combined.

What About Deck Railings?

A deck inspection and safety guidelines include a variety of factors – stairways and deck railings as well. Deck railing failure is primarily more common than a full deck failure, it just doesn’t attract as much attention as railing failure doesn’t generally result in as much damage or injury and are not reported as regularly. That being said, any deck structure should have a thorough deck inspection, at least annually by the homeowner (during maintenance is a good time), to ensure that all railings are securely attached. Another key area is the handrail on stairs. Even those that are securely attached might not offer enough traction to prevent a slip from becoming a fall.

Is Older Decking More Of A Concern?

While there is a slight correlation between older decking and deck failure, age is not as much of a concern as the overall construction. See our post on deck construction. There is also no correlation between deck failures and the use of a professional contractor or the application of a permit – although certainly having professional input and following city building guidelines will have an impact on the usability and longevity of your deck.

What Are Your Decking Options?

If you are building a new deck, get a professional to assist you – the last thing you want is to find out that your deck is unsafe or to put someone in danger. For upgrades to existing decks, an Authorized Tufdek Dealer can determine whether there are areas of your deck that require reinforcement, as well as ensuring that the finished deck has the correct slope to prevent water from pooling and causing damage. A correctly installed Tufdek vinyl deck membrane can provide a fully waterproof decking option to protect the underlying structure for a long-term, safe, solution. Check out our blog on waterproof decking materials.

Contact Us Today

For more information on using Tufdek vinyl, the World’s Strongest Vinyl Decking, or to inquire about a deck inspection, please contact us today! Our team of deck and waterproofing professionals would love to hear from you.

Call us toll-free at 1-877-860-9333 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm PST. Or send us an email. At Tufdek we have you covered every step of the way!