A deck failure is any failure of a deck that could lead to injury, including rail failure, or total deck collapse. There is no international system that tracks deck failures, and each is treated as an isolated event, rather than a systemic problem. Very few municipalities perform investigations into the cause of the failure, and the media are generally more concerned with injuries than with the causes of collapses. Rail failure occurs much more frequently than total deck collapses; however, because rail failures are less dramatic than total collapses and normally don't result in death, injuries from rail failures are rarely reported. Here are some interesting facts about deck failure:
- More decks collapse in the summer than during the rest of the year combined.
- Almost every deck collapse occurred while the decks were occupied or under a heavy snow load.
- There is no correlation between deck failure and whether the deck was built with or without a building permit.
- There is no correlation between deck failure and whether the deck was built by a homeowner or a professional contractor.
- There is a slight correlation between deck failure and the age of the deck.
- About 90% of deck collapses occurred as a result of the separation of the house and the deck ledger board, allowing the deck to swing away from the house. It is very rare for deck floor joists to break mid-span.
- Many more injuries are the result of rail failure, rather than complete deck collapse.
- Deck stairs are notorious for lacking graspable handrails.
- Many do-it-yourself homeowners, and even contractors, don't believe that rail infill spacing codes apply to decks.
Decks failure rates demonstrates the need to have your deck inspected and the need for
proper maintenance. There can be multiple reasons for a deck to fail. Some of the main
reasons are the age of the deck, poor maintenance, exceeding load capacity to improper
building methods. Deck failures can be avoided.
A simple annual inspection coupled with the proper maintenance can help you
prevent accidents and it will keep your wood deck a safe place for your family and
friends to enjoy.
Fred Sweezer Sr.
1-562-234-2689
http://www.thelongbeachhomeinspector.com
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