Deck Safety Month: 5 Things Utah Homeowners Should Inspect Now

We wanted to take a moment this month to reach out to the people we’ve had the privilege of working with—and those we’ve connected with along the way—with something we genuinely believe matters: the safety and longevity of your outdoor living space.

What is Deck Safety Month?

Every May, the North American Deck and Railing Association sponsors Deck Safety Month to raise national awareness about preventable deck failures. Decks are among the most used and least inspected structures on your property. When they fail, they fail quickly—but the conditions that lead to failure build slowly and quietly over time.

Most deck failures are not sudden events. They develop slowly, in places the eye cannot easily reach — inside the ledger connection, beneath the surface boards, at the base of posts where moisture collects. By the time something looks wrong from the outside, the underlying issue has typically been building for months or years.

Utah’s climate compounds this. Freeze-thaw cycles, intense UV exposure, and spring moisture accelerate breakdown of wood fibers, fasteners, and concrete footings in ways that are easy to underestimate until they become impossible to ignore.

What can you do to check the safety of your deck? We have gathered 5 Important safety checks and provided you a checklist with more details. We want you and your family and friends to be safe this summer.

5 Important Safety Checks to Make for Your Deck

1. Check for soft, split, or decaying wood
   Start by looking closely at the deck boards, railings, stairs, support posts, joists, and especially the ledger board, which is the area where the deck attaches to the house. According to NADRA’s Check Your Deck consumer checklist, the ledger board is a common source of deck failure, so it deserves extra attention.

2. Look for Loose or Corroded Fasteners
   Fasteners include nails, screws, anchors, and connectors that hold the deck together. Walk the deck and look for popped nails, loose screws, rusted hardware, or areas that appear to be pulling apart.

   NADRA notes that corroded fasteners can cause deterioration in the surrounding wood. The deck and stairs should feel solid, even, and stable, with no sagging, swaying, or movement when tested.

3. Inspect Stairs, Railings and Handrails
   Railings and stairs are some of the most important safety features on a deck. Make sure railings and handrails are firmly secured and do not wobble when pushed. This becomes even more important for decks that are higher off the ground.

   Check stair treads, risers, and stringers for signs of decay or looseness. Keep stairs clear of planters, toys, décor, furniture, or anything else that could create a tripping hazard.

4. Make Sure Flashing is Doing its Job
   Flashing helps direct water away from sensitive areas, especially where the deck connects to the house. If flashing is missing, loose, damaged, or allowing water to collect, moisture can build up near the ledger board and create long-term structural problems.

   Look for signs of trapped debris, water staining, rot, or separation near the house connection. If something looks questionable, it’s worth having a professional take a closer look.

5. Review Lighting, Electical, and Fire Safety
   Deck safety is not only about structure. It’s also about how the space is used. Make sure lighting works properly, especially around steps and pathways. Clean light covers and trim back plants or branches that block visibility.

   Check outdoor outlets, cords, appliances, grills, heaters, fire pits, candles, and other features. Heat sources should be placed safely away from flammable surfaces, and cords should never create a tripping hazard. NADRA also recommends keeping deck-related chemicals, lighter fluids, cleaners, and matches safely stored away from children.

If you are planning to host, or simply planning to spend more time outdoors, now is the time to Identify any structural concern.

At Warrior Built, we have designed, built, and evaluated thousands of outdoor living spaces across Utah. We know what endures and what fails. Our evaluations are thorough, honest, and never followed by pressure to sell you something you do not need.

Not Sure If Your Deck Is Safe?

Download your Free Check Your Deck Checklist

If you want a closer look, Call Hunter at Warrior Built Company 385-275-5771 and ask him to come out and evaluate your existing structure. An honest assessment, with no pressure.