That's definitely true, but honestly, most people I know aren't crawling under their decks regularly with flashlights. I mean, it's great advice, but realistically, how many homeowners actually do it? Usually, it's when something feels off—like a loose railing or creaky board—that people finally take a closer look. Maybe it's better to schedule a quick check every spring or something, just to keep it manageable and realistic...
Honestly, crawling under the deck with a flashlight sounds like a horror movie waiting to happen, lol. I usually just eyeball things every spring when I'm already out there cleaning up the yard. Quick glance at the railings, boards, and supports—nothing fancy. Last year, I caught a loose step that way before anyone took a tumble. For me, it's about keeping it simple and budget-friendly...no need for special gear or dramatic inspections. Just a quick once-over while sipping coffee on a nice morning seems to do the trick.
Haha, I get the horror movie vibe—no thanks to crawling under there with spiders and who knows what else lurking around. But do you think just eyeballing it once a year is enough? I'm tackling my first deck reno soon, and honestly, I'm a bit paranoid about missing something important. Like, how do you spot rot or structural issues without getting up close and personal? I mean, catching a loose step is great, but what about the stuff that's harder to see? Maybe I'm overthinking it (wouldn't be the first time...), but I'd rather not have my deck collapse mid-BBQ. Do you ever do a more thorough check every few years or after bad weather? Or am I just being overly cautious here?
You're not overthinking it—better safe than sorry. Eyeballing helps, but every couple years I do a deeper check, especially after heavy storms. Quick crawl under there sucks, but beats a surprise collapse mid-burger flip...
"Quick crawl under there sucks, but beats a surprise collapse mid-burger flip..."
Haha, true enough—nothing ruins a BBQ faster than your deck deciding it's had enough. But do you really wait a couple years between deep checks? Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I usually give mine a solid once-over every spring. Winter around here can be brutal, and I've seen some sneaky rot spots pop up pretty fast. Ever had one of those moments where you poke at a board and your screwdriver sinks right in? Yeah... not fun.
I mean, eyeballing is fine for quick peace of mind, but how often do you guys actually test railings or stairs? I caught a loose railing last year that looked totally fine until I leaned on it. Could've been ugly. Maybe I'm overdoing it, but I'd rather spend an hour crawling around under there than end up as the neighborhood meme.
