Twice a year sounds pretty reasonable to me too, honestly. I've flipped a few houses, and you'd be amazed at some of the decks I've come across—looked fine at first glance, but once you start poking around, it's a different story. I remember one place in particular: deck looked solid, fresh coat of stain and everything. But when I stepped on one corner, it felt just a bit off. Sure enough, underneath was a rotted joist that had been quietly soaking up moisture for who knows how long.
So yeah, checking after heavy weather makes sense. Moisture damage sneaks up on you fast, especially if your deck doesn't have great airflow underneath. And you're right about the screwdriver thing—there's something oddly satisfying about finding those weak spots before they become real problems. Better to spend a few minutes poking around now than dealing with a collapsed deck later...trust me on that one.
Twice a year is good advice, but honestly, if your deck's built right and you've got decent drainage, once a year can be plenty. I've seen decks that were practically bulletproof—properly spaced boards, treated lumber, good airflow underneath—and they held up great with minimal checks. But yeah, the screwdriver trick is gold...though I admit, I've had a few awkward moments explaining to clients why I'm stabbing their deck repeatedly. Better safe than sorry, right?
Haha, I've definitely gotten some funny looks doing the screwdriver test myself. Honestly, I stick to once a year unless something feels off or we've had crazy weather. If your deck's built solid from the start, you're usually good. But yeah, nothing beats peace of mind—I'd rather poke around a bit than end up with a surprise foot through a board...been there, done that, not fun.
"Honestly, I stick to once a year unless something feels off or we've had crazy weather."
Once a year is a decent baseline, but honestly, decks can deteriorate quicker than you'd think, especially if you're in an area with heavy moisture or harsh winters. I've seen decks that looked solid at first glance but had hidden rot underneath. The screwdriver test is fine for surface checks, but I'd also recommend occasionally inspecting the ledger board and joist connections—those are critical structural points that often get overlooked. Better safe than sorry...a quick check every few months isn't overkill in my book.
"Better safe than sorry...a quick check every few months isn't overkill in my book."
I get what you're saying, but every few months might be a bit much for most people. Realistically, how many folks are actually climbing under their decks multiple times a year? Once or twice annually with a thorough inspection—ledger board, joists, and all—seems plenty to me. Unless you've got serious weather or an old deck, frequent checks might be overdoing it a little...
