"One other thing that's easy to overlook is checking the ledger board where it attaches to your house."
Good call on the ledger board—I hadn't even thought about that spot. Do you think applying fresh sealant or caulking around the flashing annually would help keep moisture out better? Might be worth the extra effort...
Yeah, sealing around the flashing can help, but honestly if the flashing was installed properly in the first place, annual caulking might be overkill. Ever checked behind the ledger board itself for rot or corrosion on the bolts? That's usually where the real trouble hides...
Gotta say, annual caulking might seem like overkill, but I've seen some pretty nasty surprises even with "properly installed" flashing. A few years back, I was helping a friend tear down his old deck—looked solid enough from the outside, flashing seemed decent, bolts tight and all that. But when we pulled off the ledger board, it was like a horror movie back there. The bolts had corroded halfway through, and the wood was basically mulch. Turned out water had found its way in through tiny gaps we couldn't even see from the outside.
Now, I'm not saying everyone needs to rip their decks apart every year (who's got time for that?), but relying entirely on initial proper installation can be risky. Weather changes, materials shift, and sometimes even small imperfections can lead to big issues later on. Personally, I do a quick visual inspection every spring—nothing too intense, just checking for obvious signs of trouble like rust stains or soft spots in the wood. Every few years, though, I'll take a closer look behind the ledger board or at least loosen a couple bolts to make sure they're still solid.
I get that it feels like extra work, especially if everything seems fine. But decks are one of those things where a little paranoia can pay off big time. Better safe than sorry when it comes to something holding your family and friends up off the ground, right?
"Personally, I do a quick visual inspection every spring—nothing too intense, just checking for obvious signs of trouble like rust stains or soft spots in the wood."
Totally agree with you here. I used to think annual checks were overkill too, but after seeing a neighbor's deck collapse (thankfully no one was hurt), I'm way more cautious. One thing I'd add is to pay special attention to railings and stairs during your quick inspections. They're often overlooked but take a beating from constant use and weather exposure.
Every couple years, I also like to tap around with a screwdriver handle or small hammer—sounds silly, I know—but you'd be amazed how quickly you can pick up hollow or rotted spots just by the sound. It's saved me from bigger repairs down the road more than once.
Decks are tricky because everything can look perfectly fine on the surface...until it's suddenly not. A little vigilance really does go a long way toward peace of mind.
Good call on the railings and stairs—I honestly hadn't thought much about those. Usually, I just eyeball the main deck area, but now you've got me wondering if I've missed something important...guess I'll be tapping around this weekend, screwdriver in hand.
