UglyDeck.com provides customers with an important checklist to ensure their deck can safely hold get-togethers for many summers to come.

Burnsville, MN, USA — After a Fourth of July full of get-togethers and barbecues has died down, now is an ideal time to inspect your outdoor deck and decking materials to make sure the heat of summer has not damaged it. Decks that need special attention are those that are more than 15 years old, decks that were built by inexperienced DIY’ers, or have not been inspected recently.

From loose deck railings to weak posts, the deck builders at UglyDeck.com encourage homeowners to familiarize themselves with these seven common deck problems, and check to make sure their deck is safe:

1. Check to make sure lag screws are not in the ledger board. The ledger board is what holds the deck to the house. One of the most common problems with DIY decks occurs when these boards aren’t correctly attached.

2. Ensure nails aren’t missing in joist hangers. If the joist isn’t fully nailed, the joist hangers can pull loose from the ledger board.

3. Check to see if the posts are rotting or in poor condition. Moisture can cause untreated wooden posts to rot over time, losing its ability to support the deck’s weight.

4. Weak post connections. Galvanized carriage bolts attaching posts to the joist support of the deck is the ideal way to ensure a deck will be structurally sound.

5. See if the deck wobbles when shaken. If a deck shakes easily when moved, that may be a sign of the joists or ledger board loosening or weakening.

6. Check if the ledger flashing is in place. The ledger flashing is what keeps the ledger board watertight and keeps moisture from leaking into the house.

7. Rickety railing posts. Securely fastened railing posts can help ensure that people won’t tumble off their deck.

If your deck has any of these issues, contact the expert Minnesota deck builders at UglyDeck.com. UglyDeck.com can work with homeowners to find deck solutions big or small for their decks. From sourcing maintenance free decking materials, to choosing safe and sturdy deck railing options, to helping customers if they need to start over and build a deck from scratch that’s up to code, the builders at UglyDeck.com can provide advice, expertise, and a free quote to help them get started.

Media Contact:
Bill Barton
UglyDeck.com
12277 Nicollet Ave S.
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-736-3308
info@uglydeck.com
http://www.uglydeck.com