Deck Safety

10-Point Deck
Safety Checklist

Inspect your home’s deck each spring so you can enjoy a fun, safe summer. Download this free 10-point checklist from our friends at NADRA.

Deck Evaluation
Checklist

For contractors and deck builders, here is a deck evaluation checklist to follow to ensure you don’t miss something when you inspect a deck.

How to Talk With a Deck Contractor

If you are looking to build a new deck, prepare for your consultation with a local deck builder by reviewing this safety guide to make the most of your meeting.
 
Deck Safety Checklists Proper Built Trade 1

Deck Safety First:
Protect What Matters

Educate. Inspect. Correct. That is the campaign of the North American Decking & Railing Association (NADRA) to promote deck safety. NADRA has been leading the charge to prevent deck-related injuries, naming May as Deck Safety Month.

Every May, NADRA reminds us of the importance of checking decks to ensure that any issues can be addressed before summer, when families use their decks the most. Proper Built Trade is a proud member of NADRA, and we fully embrace the organization’s deck safety initiatives.

“Check Your Deck”

Michael Beaudry, executive vice president of NADRA, estimated that about 30 million of the country’s roughly 60 million decks were beyond their useful lives. What about your deck? Is it in good condition?

“Your roof has a life expectancy. Your windows have a life expectancy. What about your deck?” Beaudry said. 

Portland and its surrounding areas experience a climate with wet winters and dry, warm summers. The moisture from frequent rainfall can cause wood to rot and warp, while the dry summer air can lead to cracking and fading. Regular deck inspections and upkeep are crucial to protecting your deck from these seasonal variations.

NADRA Deck Safety Checklists PBT
Deck Safety Checklists Proper Built Trade 2

It's time to Check Your Deck!

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NADRA's 10-Point Deck Safety Checklist for Homeowners

The 10-point checklist by NADRA provides homeowners with a simple guide to evaluate their deck’s overall safety and condition. It covers inspecting structural wood components like joists, posts, and ledger boards for rot or deterioration. 

The checklist also recommends checking fasteners, railings, lighting fixtures, and potential hazards in the deck surroundings. It gives homeowners an easy way to identify major safety issues that might require professional repair or replacement.

NADRA's Deck Evaluation Checklist for Deck Contractors

The 10-point checklist by NADRA provides homeowners with a simple guide to evaluate their deck’s overall safety and condition. It covers inspecting structural wood components like joists, posts, and ledger boards for rot or deterioration. 

The checklist also recommends checking fasteners, railings, lighting fixtures, and potential hazards in the deck surroundings. It gives homeowners an easy way to identify major safety issues that might require professional repair or replacement.

Split or decaying wood

Flashing

Loose or corroded fasteners

Stairs

Railing & Banisters

Cleaning & Maintenance

Grills, Firepits, Chimneys, Heaters, and Candles

Lighting & Electrical

Outdoor Furniture & Storage

Outdoor Furniture & Storage

Wait!
Before You Go…

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