Keep Safe when Repairing or Constructing Exterior Decking

All over the country, individuals are starting to reap the rewards of spring time. For many families, spring months are a great time to take advantage of exterior decking. But, the rough winter months and extreme weather may have compromised your exterior decking. The North American Deck and Railing Association has deemed the month of May as national deck safety month because it is important to understand the safety hazards that an uninspected deck poses. This May, play a part in spreading the awareness of utilizing safety by maintaining and inspecting exterior decking by doing so yourself.

What to Look for During Exterior Decking Inspection

If you have limited or no experience in inspecting your deck, you may wish to get a certified expert to do so for you. You can find an expert exterior decking inspector by contacting the North American Deck and Railing Association directly on their website, which offers a formal deck inspection form as well. If performing the deck inspection yourself, make sure to look for these four warning signals that something may need further attention:

Ledger Board: The ledger of your exterior decking is the main support of the vertical framing. It is the beam that supports the decking, joists, and posts of the overall structure. When performing the inspection, check to make sure that your ledger board is not installed over any siding, brick, or stucco. If it is, it poses a threat to the entire structure. Also, make sure any hardware used in installing the ledger board is not rusting or in need of repair.

Wood Framing: Framing is the outline for support of your exterior decking. It is what the decking is installed directly onto. Check wood framing for any rot or missing hardware used to hold other members of the decking during the inspection.

Hardware: During the inspection, check any metal hardware for rusting. Replace any rusting posts, joists, and hinges that show signs of aging, as they could compromise the strength of the entire exterior decking structure.

Footings: Upon each yearly inspection, measure the depth and width of your footers to make sure that the foundation is still level. If it is not, using your exterior decking could compromise the health of anyone standing on or near the decking structure.

Using Ladder Safety when Inspecting or Repairing

Even more deadly than an unmaintained deck is utilizing ladders without adhering to safety procedures. More deaths happen from individuals misusing ladders than any other statistic in the construction industry. For this reason, it is incredibly vital to use ladder safety while inspecting or repairing your decking this spring. Ladder safety procedures for decking include:

-Never stand on the top rung of a step ladder. Although it may be tempting to use the top step of your ladder, standing on it compromises the overall balance of the entire device and may result in a fall, injury, or even your own death. Rather than using the top rung, invest in renting or purchasing a step ladder that offers enough height or utilizing an extension ladder for better height.

-Always keep three points of contact on your ladder at all times during use. This offers enough stability to maintain balance at all times and reduces the chance for falls if a slip were to happen.

-Before utilizing your ladder, make sure that you perform a thorough inspection to check for any damages or wear that could compromise its use. Don’t use a ladder that is damaged or worn. Additionally, make sure that all sections of the ladders are ready for use. This includes locking the spreader bars of a standard step ladder.

-Only use a ladder on level ground. Never place a ladder on top of another piece of equipment of anything else to reach higher. Stay away from using ladders in rough weather like rain. If you are unsure about ladder use, make sure to use an individual that knows what they are doing so they can provide an example of proper use.

-If your ladder is damaged or does not provide enough height to perform your spring deck inspection and maintenance, get a new, safe, and affordable ladder solution from Industrial Ladder. Since we are a ladder distributor, we can offer discounts on our ladder selection by cutting out the middleman. Check out our entire inventory of ladders from top name manufacturers including Werner, Little Giant, and Tapco on or website.

Have questions about any of our products, company, or shipping services? Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-833-0800.

 

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