Celebrate Deck Safety Month With These 5 Tips!

Every May, the United States celebrates an event like no other: Deck Safety Month. And, of course, the best way to celebrate is by inspecting your deck to ensure it’s safe, stable, and secure.

So, before you throw your Memorial Day barbecue, follow our five tips and tricks to keep your deck in tip-top shape.

Get Rid of Algae, Moss, Mold, and Mildew

When it comes to keeping your deck safe, one of the best things you can do is keep your deck clean. Organic growths like algae, moss, mold, and mildew can not only discolor your deck but also create a range of safety hazards.

For instance, their presence on deck flooring could make the surface slippery and dangerous. If you spot them near your stairs, the likelihood of personal injury can increase dramatically.

And if the organic growth penetrates your deck’s surfaces, the wood may begin to degrade. That can cause potential structural issues and force you to pay an expensive bill to repair or replace portions of your deck.

So, if you spot black or green discolorations on your deck, it’s time to start cleaning.

While some may suggest bleach or pressure washers to clean these stains, both suggestions may cause more harm than good.

For safe and effective deck cleaning, try Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End. It connects directly to your hose and works effectively on large surfaces of up to 2,000 square feet.

Simply apply the spray so it can work with wind and rain to gently lift and remove stains over time. In many cases, and depending on your local weather and climate, a single application is enough to keep your deck free of stains caused by organic growths for up to one year. 

Keep Your Grilling Area Safe and Clean

There’s nothing quite like grilling on your deck. However, whenever fire is involved, it’s best to go above and beyond for deck safety.

So, as you get a hankering for hot dogs and hamburgers, make sure your grill is at least two feet away from anything that fire or smoke can damage. That means your charcoal or gas cooker should be far from furniture, overhangs, railing, and siding.

If there are trees, bushes, or shrubs nearby, trim them back so they aren’t near your grill’s open flame. All it takes is a strong wind and a single spark to turn a fun outdoor cook into something far more dangerous.

Also, place necessary safety equipment nearby. Should an unexpected fire break out, you want to know exactly where your fire extinguisher is.

A large container of baking soda at hand can also help douse the flames of a grease fire.

Finally, store flammable materials away from the grill. Securely store lighter fluid, charcoal, and any starting fuel at a safe distance from the grill.

Identify the Signs of Wood Rot

Wood rot occurs on decks when constant moisture provides a sustainable environment for fungi to grow. It also spreads quickly and often leads to significant deck safety issues.

While many stained or treated wood offers some water resistance, they are rarely fully waterproof. Additionally, stains and sealants can degrade over time, leaving your deck susceptible to rot.

If there’s one fortunate thing to wood rot, it’s that the signs of its presence are somewhat obvious. That said, you still need to do a full inspection of your deck from all angles to ensure you’re not missing anything.

The best way to check is with a strong flashlight and a screwdriver.

Use your flashlight to search the dark areas beneath your deck or portions that aren’t typically visible from standing on it. If you notice discolorations, swelling, splintered boards, or loose fasteners, poke the area with a screwdriver.

Wood should never be soft. So, if the screwdriver pushes into the wood at all, you’re likely dealing with wood rot.

Due to the potential structural issues, you should act quickly to replace any damaged wood. Depending on the amount of wood you need to swap out, you may be able to take on the job yourself with a day’s work for less than $100. 

That said, to ensure there are no further structural integrity issues, consider having a professional come to inspect the deck. This will cost more, but it may save you when it comes to peace of mind.  

Inspect Railings

Railings are an essential safety feature of any deck. Over time, though, they can become loose for a variety of reasons that range from regular wear and tear to the presence of organic growth.

While most railings offer some give, that give should be minimal. A 200-pound individual should expect the railing to offer only the slightest give when leaned upon.  

If your railing doesn’t feel secure, the first step is to identify the cause. You could be dealing with some mere loose fasteners that you can fix in less than an hour.

If you notice organic growth, you should act now and before things get worse. Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End is safe to apply on virtually all outdoor surfaces, including wood, stained or painted surfaces, composite materials, metal, and PVC.

However, if you notice more significant damage, you’ll need to take additional steps. You may have to replace the railing to ensure it’s safe and capable of holding up to individuals of most if not all, sizes and strengths.

Install Outdoor Lighting

Light is another critical component of deck safety. After the sun falls beneath the horizon, you’ll want something stronger than moonlight to illuminate your deck.

Outdoor lighting will make it easier to spot tripping hazards and see where you’re going. Depending on your design preference, there are a variety of lighting options available:

• Landscape lights
• Lanterns
• Post cap lights
• Recessed lights
• Rope or lights
• Solar powered lights
• Spotlights
• Step lights
• Under-rail lights

And while deck safety should be at the forefront of your mind when picking your lighting fixtures, you should also consider ambiance.

String lights, for example, can add a festive or romantic touch, and spotlights can highlight specific features of your deck. Post-cap lights offer a soft, intimate glow.

You can also combine your outdoor deck lighting with smart security features. Even the most basic smart cameras offer some form of motion tracking, which can immediately switch on your outdoor lights.

That means outdoor lighting doesn’t make your deck safe, but it can also keep your home secure.

Celebrate Deck Safety Month With our Tips and Tricks!

Decks go through a lot, from grilling to get-togethers to the elements. So make sure your deck is safe and secure by giving it a thorough inspection and following our deck safety tips and tricks!