I hear you on the composite decking heat issue—had a similar experience myself. Thought I'd be clever and go barefoot one sunny afternoon, and let's just say I learned my lesson pretty quickly. Still, I do appreciate the low-maintenance aspect of composite, even if it means keeping sandals handy in July.
As for checking the deck, I usually give mine a quick once-over in early spring too, but honestly, I find myself doing random checks throughout the summer. Maybe it's just habit from years of DIY projects, but every time I'm out grilling or watering plants, I end up casually inspecting boards or tightening screws. It's funny how often you catch little things when you're not even looking for them.
One thing I've noticed is that railings seem to loosen up faster than anything else. Maybe it's just my deck, but every year there's at least one railing post that needs tightening. Anyone else notice railings being the first to go, or is my deck just quirky like that?
You're definitely not alone—my railing posts seem to loosen up constantly too. Thought it was just my amateur DIY skills, haha. But honestly, checking things casually like you do sounds smart; better safe than sorry, right?
Yeah, railings are notorious for loosening up over time, even with professional installs. I usually recommend clients do a quick once-over every few months—especially after harsh weather. Had a client whose deck looked solid until a heavy storm revealed some hidden rot... better safe indeed.
I usually suggest a seasonal check—spring and fall work well. Quick tip: poke around the ledger board area with a screwdriver; soft spots can mean hidden moisture issues. Caught some sneaky rot early this way myself...
Twice a year seems a bit much to me, honestly. I mean, if your deck is older or you live somewhere with harsh weather, sure, maybe that's necessary. But I've had decks on rental properties that I only check once every couple years and haven't had major issues yet. That screwdriver trick is smart though—I'll give you that. Still, I think if the deck was built properly in the first place and you're keeping an eye out for obvious signs (like sagging or loose boards), you probably don't need to be poking around quite so often.
I do agree that ledger boards are sneaky troublemakers though...had one rot out on a property I bought last year. Previous owner didn't even notice it until inspection came around. Cost me a decent chunk to fix it up properly. Guess it depends on how cautious you wanna be vs. how much time you've got on your hands...
