"Last summer, I noticed a small soft spot near the railing that looked totally fine at first glance. When I finally poked it, the screwdriver sank in way easier than expected..."
Haha, been there myself—thought my deck was rock solid until I poked around one spring and found a spot softer than grandma's banana bread. Now I do a quick check twice a year, spring and fall. My place sees some pretty harsh winters, and moisture definitely speeds things up. Better safe than sorry, especially with older wood like mine...
I probably don't check mine as often as I should, honestly. Usually just once a year when I'm cleaning up after winter. But now you've got me thinking...maybe I should poke around more often? My deck's not exactly new either, and I definitely don't want any surprise soft spots. Guess I'll be grabbing the screwdriver this weekend, haha.
You're definitely on the right track with an annual check, but honestly, decks can deteriorate faster than you'd expect, especially if they're older or exposed to harsh weather. When I renovated mine for the first time last summer, I was surprised how quickly moisture damage can set in—especially around joints and underneath railings. I'd recommend a quick visual inspection every couple of months, just to catch things early. Better safe than sorry...trust me, replacing rotten boards isn't fun.
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, checking every couple months seems a bit much unless you've noticed obvious issues. I've had my deck for about 8 years now, and I usually just do a thorough inspection once or twice a year—spring and fall. Haven't had major issues yet (knock on wood...), just minor repairs here and there. Maybe it depends on the materials used or climate, but frequent checks sound like overkill to me.
"Maybe it depends on the materials used or climate, but frequent checks sound like overkill to me."
Fair point, but honestly, after seeing my neighbor's deck collapse during a BBQ (no injuries, thankfully—just bruised egos and spilled potato salad), I'm team "better safe than sorry." Twice a year minimum for me... paranoia or wisdom? You decide.
