When it comes to home inspections, decks and porches are very important. They are not only nice add-on features, but also add value to the home and serve useful purposes.
In addition to this, they are also generally very expensive to fix when something goes wrong. For this, and other reasons, we as home inspectors pay close attention to decks and porches.
So what are some things that home inspectors look for when inspecting decks and porches? Below are a few things:
- who built it;
- missing or loose fasteners;
- the condition of fasteners;
- a lack of fastener nails;
- the use of untreated wood;
- whether the deck is pulling away from the house;
- wobbly rails or unsound steps; and
- rot, especially where cantilevered joists penetrate the wall.
- Decks and porches are often add-ons to the original home. Many of them have
- been poorly built by “weekend warrior” homeowners or handyman-type contractors.
So, the first question to ask is: “Who built the deck?”. Well, since we don’t usually get to meet the seller as your home inspector, we don’t usually know. But this is a good question for you as the buyer to find out.
Knowing who built it can help you determine how much to doubt its construction. Was it a reputable contractor, or was it the seller’s buddy on the weekends?
Either way, decks and porches are an important part of a home inspection.
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