Deck collapse accidents and injuries are preventable. Yet every year and every holiday we see news accounts of sudden deck collapses during festive gatherings where those on the deck get injured, or killed. Regular inspections (at least twice per year is recommended) and maintenance of an outdoor deck can help prevent these collapses and resulting injuries and deaths.
Some of the things to look for in inspecting decks and other outdoor structures include hardware corrosion, loosening at the connection between the deck and the house, rotting, split, or cracked wood, loose or missing nails, screws, and connecting hardware, loose, damaged, or missing supports and deck planks, and/or loose or wobbling guard rails.
Water Leaks, Rot, and Deck Failure
Decks should be connected to the house by a sturdy ledger board. And flashing should protect that board, a waterproof covering that helps prevent moisture leakage into the house and consequent rot. When decks are connected to a house, the holes made for the connecting hardware always carries the potential for water seepage. The holes could be filled with a silicone caulk to help prevent moisture entry. When water gets in, the wood begins to rot, and hardware can come loose and pull out of the weakening wood so the deck’s foundation will be weakened. To prevent this, some builders suggest constructing a freestanding deck that isn’t connected to the house.
Because of problems with moisture seepage, rot, and loosening connecting hardware, most deck failures actually occur at the point where the deck connects to the house. The other primary cause of deck collapse injuries and deaths is failure of the guardrail.
The Necessity of Good Guard Rail Design and Construction
Local codes might specify different height requirements on guardrails for decks, and have more stringent requirements for public or commercial decks than for the deck on your home. A standard railing height is 36 inches, and they have to be able to support a load of 200 pounds in any direction.
But many builders “notch” guard rail posts so that the notched part rests on the deck surface while another part of the post extends down over the side. This creates a serious weak point in the guardrail post, and creates a natural starting point for cracking and splitting in the wood.
Building Permits, Detailed Construction Plans, and Inspections during Building are Keys to Ensuring Deck Safety
Frank Woeste of Virginia Tech points out that building an elevated deck is the most challenging element in constructing a home because the construction details needed to satisfy the load requirements set by the IRC are not included in the Code. (Structural Safety of Wood Decks and Deck Guards, Joseph R. Lofersky, PhD and Frank Woeste, PE, PhD, 2013) It takes experience and knowledge to understand how to actually satisfy the Code requirements and how to inspect for compliance with the Code. And because a roof doesn’t protect outdoor structures, they age and weather at a faster rate and in different ways than the rest of a home. Many inspectors qualified to inspect a home and its interior aren’t similarly qualified to inspect the home’s outdoor structures like decks, balconies, porches, and exterior stairways.
The task of inspection is complicated by the fact that the model IRC code is updated every three years, and localities may amend the code as needed to adapt to local conditions. They also might not adopt all parts of the model IRC, or they might adopt or stick with an older version rather than going with the current version. To help inspectors with the complex task of inspecting outdoor structures, a team of researchers at Virginia Tech developed the Manual for the Inspection of Residential Wood Decks and Balconies (2003).
It’s important for builders and inspectors to keep up with changes in the Code as well as with the new materials and techniques bring introduced constantly into the construction industry. For instance, the latest generations of wood treatments, which can protect the wood longer than older treatments, also tends to corrode connection hardware faster. It’s necessary to take that relationship into account when constructing your deck.
Contact the Experienced Deck Collapse Lawyers at Denena Points, PC
If you or your loved ones have been injured by a deck collapse accident, it’s important that you take steps right away to investigate the accident and determine the causes and liability in order to protect your rights. Our experienced deck collapse injury attorneys have helped with deck failure accidents all over the nation to build successful cases for seriously injured clients and their families.
We offer a free and confidential initial legal consultation to discuss the specifics of the accident and help you evaluate your potential eligibility for a full financial recovery for your injuries. Our more than 12 years of experience with complex personal injury and wrongful death cases could help guide you in making informed decisions about your future after a life-changing accident. Call us at 713-807-9500 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule your free, no obligation legal consultation.