Here at Remedy Inspections we love decks, porches, and balconies! They add great ambiance to a home and redefine the outdoor living space. As the weather gets warmer it's that little slice of heaven we look forward to. A home's deck, porch, and/or balcony are constantly battered by the elements. Proper maintenance should be taken to get the most longevity out of them.

Your deck, porch, and/or balcony structure should not be loose or rotted. If your deck has any masonry or concrete piers they should be plumb and stable. Sometimes, a home's deck is connected to the home itself; make sure these structural connections are secure and protected from corrosion and decay. If your deck flooring is level to your home's interior flooring make sure the door sill is free of any water leaks.

Flashing should be properly installed over the top of the ledger board as this will help shed water away from these important connections. Generally, keep an eye out for any deflection (bending or twisting) and deterioration of the decking material and its supports.

Most homes will have exterior hose bibbs and electrical receptacles available in the general vicinity of your home's deck. If your home has an exterior hose bibb most valve stems are 1-2 inches in length. We encourage those who live in a cold climates, like New Jersey, to make sure you have a frost-proof hose bibb that extends 6-30 inches into the exterior wall. This will help prevent a burst pipe as the temperature dips below freezing!

Electrical receptacles in exterior spaces should always be GFCI. This protection ensures that people do not get electrocuted when using these outdoor connections.

Maintaining Your Deck, Porch, or Balcony

We suggest inspecting your deck, porch, or balconies during early to mid Spring so you'll get to enjoy the most out of it during the summer months. Make sure to inspect the deck for any loose, rotted, damaged, or broken boards. Repair or replace these boards depending on the severity.

As you looking at your deck boards, make note of any exposed, raised, or rusty nails and hardware. You'll also need to replace these as you make your way inspecting the deck. Lastly, make sure to fill any holes with wood filler as this will prevent rotting in the wood.

Once a year make sure to clean your deck. Sweep away any debris that's collected, use a gentle outdoor cleaner to scrub the deck boards, and rinse away with a garden hose. If you decide to use a pressure washer, make sure that the settings are at it's lowest as to prevent damaging deck boards. It is not recommended to pressure wash composite decks as this may cause damage to the material.

Finally, if your deck is wooden, consider staining and sealing your deck as this will help prolong the life of the wood. This also gives your deck a nice refresh in appearance and will look better than before.

Decks, porches, and balconies are great and its important to make sure these conveniences don't become issues down the road. At Remedy Inspections we'll make sure to look for any defects that might need attention during our home inspections.

Our home inspections include a comprehensive report that’s detailed in our Standards of Practice. Weather permitting, we include aerial drone inspections providing high quality imaging of the home's roof. Finally, we offer additional services in radon testing, termite inspection, and pre-listing inspections. Check out our competitive pricing and services!

Place your trust in the knowledge that your home inspection will be detailed, truthful and informative with Remedy Inspections, LLC. We’re conveniently located in Rockaway, NJ and proudly serve all of New Jersey! Call us today (908) 210-5816 for your next home inspection!