A deck means hours of relaxation and fun during pleasant weather. Lounge chairs, grills, and picnics can be set up for friends and family to gather and enjoy the day together. One thing you may not have thought about is deck safety and if your deck is structurally sound. R & R Construction & Roofing in Tallassee, AL, put together a guide to help you ensure your deck is safe for use so you can enjoy it for years to come.

Take a look at the easy-to-follow safety checklist:

• Materials: To avoid rot, decks should only be constructed using pressure-treated wood. If it’s not pressure treated, the wood will begin to rot, compromising the framework and making your deck unsafe to stand on.
• Footings: These support your deck at the ground level. Made of concrete, footings should be the correct size and proportion to support the deck. When they are too small, they won’t hold the weight of the deck and can sink, pulling the structure down with them.
• Ledgers: The way your deck is attached to your home and footings makes a difference in whether or not it’s stable. The ledger is the long, horizontal framing below the deck floor that is attached to your house and supports most of the structure’s weight. Those attached with large, galvanized bolts are safer than ledgers attached with thin nails that will rust over time.
• Stairs & Rails: Besides the actual deck structure, features such as the rails and stairs should be inspected. If they feel loose or wobble when weight is placed on them, they should be replaced. Check that correct hardware has been used and that there are no missing sections.

Serving East Central Alabama, R & R Construction & Roofing has been the area’s top renovation company since 2000. Residential and commercial customers rely on these contractors for anything from decks and exterior siding to home additions. They are also available for restoration services for property that has suffered fire or water damage. Visit their website for more information or call (334) 283-2129.