how often do you actually check your deck for safety?

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.