Deck Inspection: What a Safe Deck Looks Like

When examining such a large structure, it’s helpful to start with the basics. By knowing what to look for in a solid, sound, and safe deck, it will be easier to spot potential problems on your own. All structurally sound decks should include:

• Proof that the deck meets city codes, and if applicable, has a valid building permit
• Solid base-footings that are below the frost-line
• A secure and level ledger that attaches the deck to the house
• A ledger is responsible for supporting about half of the deck’s weight!
• Adequate space between the boards
• Boards should be placed about one-eighth of an inch apart. By allowing a little room between each board, the wood can expand and contract with temperature changes without impacting the deck’s overall structure.
• Maintenance of a protective wood finish
• To effectively protect the wood, this should be assessed and reapplied about every two years or as needed.

Is Your Deck Safe?

Now that you know what to look for, you can begin inspecting your deck. If you notice any of the following problems with yours, it’s important that you address and resolve the issues immediately. Any problems you may find, no matter how minor they may appear, should be considered “red flags.” The integrity of a deck can become compromised by the smallest of issues, and needs to be fixed as soon as possible before further use of the area.

Rotted Wood

Examine the flooring, railings, stairs, and support posts. To test if the wood is rotted, you will need a tool or ice pick that you can insert into the wood. If the tool or pick can be inserted more than one-half of an inch, it’s a sign that the wood is not structurally sound. This can be from moisture, mildew, or not properly maintaining the finish on the wood. All rotted spots need to be removed and replaced.

Moisture

Decks can generally handle the wear and tear from rain and snow, but it’s important to make sure the moisture is being drained away from the structure. Flashing refers to a waterproof material that protects the wood from water that could seep into it. Make sure your flashing is installed properly, and test that it is still doing its job correctly. If too much moisture gets into the wood, your deck can begin to sink or even rot. Also, make sure any sprinklers or gutter drains are a safe distance away from the structure.

Railings

Especially on tall decks, it’s imperative that your railings are stable, and the appropriate height and width apart. Check each railing for stability by trying to wiggle it loose. If the railing moves significantly, it likely needs to be tightened or replaced. All railings should be at least three yards high and no more than four inches wide.

Connections

Since there are lots of pieces and parts to a deck, it’s a good idea to make sure whatever is securing them is still installed correctly. Screws and bolts can loosen over time and should be checked for security regularly. Examine the entirety of the deck and be sure connections are still tight. If you need to replace any hardware, be sure you do so with materials that are labeled for outdoor use only.

The Big Picture

After getting up close and personal with the deck, you should step as far away as possible from it to get a good view of the whole thing. By doing this, you can check for sagging, warping, and the overall levelness of the deck. If you see any parts that don’t look sturdy or are slanted, it’s best to take note of the issue and consult a professional for further assistance determining the problem.

Outdoor decks are great sources of entertainment and a fun spot to lounge or bond with family and friends. To ensure you get the most out of your deck this spring and summer, make sure you perform deck inspections regularly. If you’d rather leave the hard work to the professionals, contact Inspect-It-1st for an expert deck inspection. Find a location near you here to speak with a local inspector.

Unfortunately, if there are polybutylene pipes within the house or leading into it, the best course of action is to replace the lines entirely by hiring a plumbing specialist. An expert can assess the current plumbing, replace the pipes and expertly patch up any holes. There are currently no laws stating that the seller is required to disclose polybutylene piping. It is up to the potential buyer to perform due diligence on the plumbing in question. Please check out polybutylene.com for additional information.

Aluminum possesses certain qualities that, compared with copper, make it an undesirable material as an electrical conductor. These qualities all lead to loose connections, where fire hazards become likely. These qualities are as follows:

• higher electrical resistance. Aluminum has a high resistance to electrical current flow, which means that, given the same amperage, aluminum conductors must be of a larger diameter than would be required by copper conductors.
• less ductile. Aluminum will fatigue and break down more readily when subjected to bending and other forms of abuse than copper, which is more ductile. Fatigue will cause the wire to break down internally and will increasingly resist electrical current, leading to a buildup of excessive heat.
• galvanic corrosion.  In the presence of moisture, aluminum will undergo galvanic corrosion when it comes into contact with certain dissimilar metals.
• oxidation. Exposure to oxygen in the air causes deterioration to the outer surface of the wire. This process is called oxidation. Aluminum wire is more easily oxidized than copper wire, and the compound formed by this process – aluminum oxide – is less conductive than copper oxide. As time passes, oxidation can deteriorate connections and present a fire hazard.
• greater malleability. Aluminum is soft and malleable, meaning it is highly sensitive to compression. After a screw has been over-tightened on aluminum wiring, for instance, the wire will continue to deform or “flow” even after the tightening has ceased. This deformation will create a loose connection and increase electrical resistance in that location.
• greater thermal expansion and contraction. Even more than copper, aluminum expands and contracts with changes in temperature. Over time, this process will cause connections between the wire and the device to degrade. For this reason, aluminum wires should never be inserted into the “stab,” “bayonet” or “push-in” type terminations found on the back of many light switches and outlets.
• excessive vibration. Electrical current vibrates as it passes through wiring. This vibration is more extreme in aluminum than it is in copper, and, as time passes, it can cause connections to loosen.

Identifying Aluminum Wiring

• Aluminum wires are the color of aluminum and are easily discernible from copper and other metals.
• Since the early 1970s, wiring-device binding terminals for use with aluminum wire have been marked CO/ALR, which stands for “copper/aluminum revised.”
• Look for the word “aluminum” or the initials “AL” on the plastic wire jacket. Where wiring is visible, such as in the attic or electrical panel, inspectors can look for printed or embossed letters on the plastic wire jacket. Aluminum wire may have the word “aluminum,” or a specific brand name, such as “Kaiser Aluminum,” marked on the wire jacket. Where labels are hard to read, a light can be shined along the length of the wire.
• When was the house built? Homes built or expanded between 1965 and 1973 are more likely to have aluminum wiring than houses built before or after those years.

Options for Correction

Aluminum wiring should be evaluated by a qualified electrician who is experienced in evaluating and correcting aluminum wiring problems. Not all licensed electricians are properly trained to deal with defective aluminum wiring. The CPSC recommends the following two methods for correction for aluminum wiring:

• Rewire the home with copper wire. While this is the most effective method, rewiring is expensive and impractical, in most cases.
• Use copalum crimps. The crimp connector repair consists of attaching a piece of copper wire to the existing aluminum wire branch circuit with a specially designed metal sleeve and powered crimping tool. This special connector can be properly installed only with the matching AMP tool. An insulating sleeve is placed around the crimp connector to complete the repair. Although effective, they are expensive (typically around $50 per outlet, switch or light fixture).

Although not recommended by the CPSC as methods of permanent repair for defective aluminum wiring, the following methods may be considered:

• application of anti-oxidant paste. This method can be used for wires that are multi-stranded or wires that are too large to be effectively crimped.
• pigtailing. This method involves attaching a short piece of copper wire to the aluminum wire with a twist-on connector. the copper wire is connected to the switch, wall outlet, or another termination device. This method is only effective if the connections between the aluminum wires and the copper pigtails are extremely reliable. Pigtailing with some types of connectors, even though Underwriters Laboratories might presently list them for the application, can lead to increasing the hazard. Also, beware that pigtailing will increase the number of connections, all of which must be maintained. Aluminum Wiring Repair (AWR), Inc., of Aurora, Colorado, advises that pigtailing can be useful as a temporary repair or in isolated applications, such as the installation of a ceiling fan.
• CO/ALR connections. According to the CPSC, these devices cannot be used for all parts of the wiring system, such as ceiling-mounted light fixtures or permanently wired appliances and, as such, CO/ALR connections cannot constitute a complete repair. Also, according to AWR, these connections often loosen over time.
• alumiconn. Although AWR believes this method may be an effective temporary fix, they are wary that it has little history, and that they are larger than copper crimps and are often incorrectly applied.
• Replace certain failure-prone types of devices and connections with others that are more compatible with aluminum wire.
• Remove the ignitable materials from the vicinity of the connections.

In summary, aluminum wiring can be a fire hazard due to the inherent qualities of the metal. Inspectors should be capable of identifying this type of wiring.