Hingham Ma: Deck Safety Month 2012

By: Allison Q Guido, CS

The weather is improving and many of us are moving outside to enjoy the sunshine with our friends and family. This past weekend we celebrated the Christening of our son Giovanni and as everyone was coming back to the house to enjoy the company and food at the cookout it made me think that like many of our homeowners it was time to have Craig inspect the deck to make sure there were no issues that might cause a safety issue.

AlmarBuilding has an in depth Deck Evaluation Checklist provided by the North American Deck and Railing Association that we use to look for any potential problems on existing decks.

The North American Deck and Railing Association is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the necessity for regular inspection and maintenance of existing decks and proper installation of new decks.

According to the NADRA website, “The number of deck failures and resulting injuries has been increasing at an alarming rate. Between 2000 and 2008, there were at least 30 deaths reported as a direct result of deck collapses, and more than 75 percent of people on a deck when it collapses are injured or killed. With 40 million decks in the United States that are more than 20 years old, it's important for homeowners to check their deck… Older decks require closer scrutiny. Many of these decks were built before code requirements were in place to protect consumers. Some of these decks may have deck-to-house attachments using only nails. If your deck is older, it is even more important to have it inspected.”

Some tips the NADRA suggests homeowners consider when choosing a remodeling professional are:

* Ask friends and family members for referrals and contact state and local licensing authorities and trade associations such as NADRA or NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry).

* Meet with and carefully evaluate all potential deck builders. Ask to see a portfolio and some samples of the decking and railing materials they prefer to use. Good builders take pride in their work and will be enthusiastic about the possibility of creating a relationship.

* Pay attention to the deck builder's experience, licensing, insurance coverage and professional references.

When hiring a deck builder, there is more to consider than just price. In addition to the tips above, NADRA recommends homeowners contact their city or county building department to speak with an inspector knowledgeable about deck construction.

So when you are ready to review all of your options for your deck or porch give Almar Buildinga call. Our full service remodeling team can help you every step of the way thru any renovation project you are looking to tackle: Addition, Kitchen, Bathroom, Basement, Sunroom, Siding, Windows, Decking, and even roofing.

As a third generation family owned and operate company for over 50 years we have all the benefits of a small company with the options of a larger company including financing. We service the entire South Shore of Massachusetts including: Hanover, Hingham, Pembroke, Norwell, Scituate, Cohassett, Duxbury, Hanson, Abington, Rockland, Holbrook, Braintree, Weymouth, Milton, and many more towns.