Stacking Is your deck safe? Deck— the

ACCORDING TO THE North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), there’s been an increase in the number of decks that have collapsed and in most cases, says the association, simple upkeep could have prevented these incidents. Before you have your next barbeque or family gathering, consider these deck safety inspection tips—

Check railings and balusters by firmly grasping and wiggling them to make sure they’re secure. Also double-check whether they meet local codes (most call for a railing at least 3 feet high with balusters spaced no wider than 4 inches apart).

Pressure wash your deck with a solution of one part bleach (use only oxygenated bleach for cedar decks), three to five parts water, and laundry soap.

Look for loose connections between support posts and the deck’s beams. NADRA recommends posts should be 6 inches square or larger and no taller than 14 feet.

A ledger board is a weight-bearing board that connects the deck to your house. Make sure, says NADRA, that “it’s attached with ½-inch stainless- or galvanized-steel lag screws and through bolts, rather than nails, which can pop out. Check for a widened gap between the house and the ledger, which may signal that the bolts need tightening.”

Check for split or decaying wood. Insert a flathead screwdriver into any cracks and if you can insert it more than a quarter inch, that could indicate rot. Also, if the wood feels spongy or breaks off without splintering, replacement boards may be necessary. Look for holes which may indicate wood-boring insects.