Twice a year sounds thorough, but honestly, I tend to wait until something creaks suspiciously or my foot nearly goes through a board... then it's panic mode with the screwdriver. Maybe not ideal, but hey, budgets and procrastination are real things.
"I tend to wait until something creaks suspiciously or my foot nearly goes through a board... then it's panic mode with the screwdriver."
Haha, this sounds way too familiar. Last summer, I had a rental property with a deck overlooking a nice little pond—tenants loved it, so I never thought much about maintenance until I got a frantic call one afternoon. Apparently, their barbecue had turned into an unintended trampoline session because one of the boards gave way mid-flip of a burger. Thankfully no one was hurt (except maybe the burger), but it was definitely my wake-up call to be more proactive.
Now I try to at least give decks a quick once-over every spring, especially after harsh winters. It's funny how quickly "I'll get to it eventually" turns into "I wish I'd done this sooner." Budget and procrastination are definitely real struggles, but I've learned the hard way that a little preventive check can save a lot of headaches down the road.
Haha, I feel this!
"Budget and procrastination are definitely real struggles..."
Same here. I usually eyeball things every spring, but honestly, it's mostly just me poking suspicious boards with my foot and hoping for the best. Maybe this year I'll actually grab the screwdriver...
Haha, relatable!
"Maybe this year I'll actually grab the screwdriver..."
Honestly, a screwdriver check is a great start. I'd also suggest quickly checking underneath for rusted screws or loose joist hangers—takes just a minute and can save headaches later...speaking from experience here.
Honestly, I get the screwdriver thing, but just eyeballing underneath isn't always enough. Last year I found a joist hanger barely hanging on by rust alone...pretty scary when you think about it. Better safe than sorry, right?
