I try to do a thorough inspection at least once a year, usually early spring, but honestly, I find myself doing quick spot-checks after big storms or heavy snow melts. A few years back, I had a deck where the ledger board looked totally solid at first glance, but when I poked around, it was basically mulch inside—scary stuff. Now I'm paranoid enough to crawl under there with a screwdriver every so often just to be sure...better safe than sorry, right?
You're definitely not alone in that paranoia—I had a client whose deck looked pristine from above, but underneath was a whole different story. Rot had eaten away at the joists, and we only caught it because I dropped my tape measure through a soft spot...lesson learned the hard way.
I feel that paranoia too, especially after what happened last summer. My deck looked completely fine on top, but one afternoon I noticed the railing felt a bit wobbly. When I checked underneath, turns out carpenter ants had made themselves at home in one of the posts...yikes. Now I'm wondering if checking once a year is enough or if I should be crawling under there more often?
"Now I'm wondering if checking once a year is enough or if I should be crawling under there more often?"
Honestly, once a year might be cutting it a bit close, especially after an infestation. Carpenter ants can do serious structural damage surprisingly fast—I learned that the hard way with one of my rental properties. I'd suggest at least twice a year, spring and fall maybe? And definitely after any heavy storms or prolonged wet spells. Better safe than sorry... decks aren't cheap to rebuild.
I usually do a quick check in spring, just before we start spending more time outside. But honestly, after finding some wood rot hidden under the stairs last summer (ugh...), I'm thinking twice a year might be smarter. It wasn't ants, thankfully, but moisture can sneak up on you too. Doesn't hurt to peek under there a bit more often—could save some headaches later.
