Victoria Deck Repair: Creating a Safe and Secure Deck

A deck is a great place to relax outside by yourself or to gather with friends and family to enjoy the outdoors. However, to be able to truly relax when you are using your deck, you have to be sure that it is well-built in the first place. A deck that isn’t well built could collapse, which could result in injuries and thousands of dollars for extensive deck repair in Victoria. Here are some ways that you can make sure your new deck is safe.

Make Sure the Railings Are Stable

If your deck is close to the ground, you may not need a railing at all, though it may still be a good idea. However, if your deck is more than 30 inches above the ground, you need a strong railing made of high-quality deck materials. That’s according to the International Residential Code, so the requirement is the same in Canada, the United States, and beyond.

It makes sense when you think about it. If your deck is high off the ground, as most decks are, the railing could be the only thing preventing you, your family, or your guests from tumbling over the side. The higher your deck is off the ground, the worse the injuries from a fall could be.

Not only does the railing have to be present, but it also has to meet certain minimum requirements to make sure that it can keep people of all ages from falling:

• The top rail must withstand at least 200 pounds of lateral pressure

• Distance between the deck surface and the horizontal bottom rail should be no more than four inches

• Distance between vertical posts should be no more than four inches

• Rail height must be at least 36 inches

These requirements are to prevent people of all ages from falling out from under the railing or between the balusters. Infants and toddlers could potentially squeeze through spaces of more than four inches.

Budget Time for Inspections and Approvals

Municipal governments have an interest in making sure your deck is safe. Therefore, you may have to obtain a building permit, submit plans to the local authorities, and have an inspection to make sure your new deck is up to code long before you ever start building it. You also have to make the call to have the utility company come out and identify buried utility lines so you don’t accidentally sever one when you dig. It may be a month before you meet all these requirements and can actually start building the deck. Professional deck builders can help you with this process.

Plan for Long-Term Maintenance

Some deck materials require less maintenance than others, but even high-quality deck materials require some upkeep. You should plan for this before you build your deck. For example, decks usually require maintenance at the end of winter because they have been unused for at least three months and are often subjected to harsh weather conditions.

Yearly deck maintenance should include the following:

• Inspection for loose boards and other possible hazards

• Thorough cleaning

• Surface re-sealing

The expected lifespan of a well-built wooden deck is 12 to 15 years. With regular maintenance, you can get the most out of your deck and possibly extend its useful life. You can also identify small problems early on and have deck repair in Victoria intervene before they start becoming big problems that would be more expensive to fix.

Contact Handyman Connection for Deck Repair in Victoria

We have experienced handymen who specialize in decks. We can handle the installation, repair, and maintenance of your deck so you can spend more time living your life without worrying about it. Learn more about our deck services and hiring a handyman in Victoria.