Summer's return is gentle deck-safety reminder

NORFOLK

Pat Yerby grew concerned when neighbors pointed out that the deck outside his condominium on the fourth floor seemed to slope a bit.

He wondered if that could mean the deck might be in danger of falling away from his building at The Landings at Bolling Square.

He remembered a deck collapse a few years ago in Virginia Beach that injured 28 people and was worried until he heard that the city is offering to inspect residents' decks free of charge.

"When you're four stories up in the air, and you have a grandchild and you have visitors who come over to watch fireworks in downtown, it's very important to make sure that it's safe," Yerby said.

The news was better than Yerby and his wife, Sue, expected.

The pine has some surface cracking from exposure to the elements, but the planks are sound, said city senior codes specialist Dan Cholewa.

In fact, Yerby's deck, supported from the ground by beams and pillars, isn't going anywhere any time soon, Cholewa said. The gentle slope of the deck allows for rain runoff.

About two dozen residents called the city for free inspections and no serious problems have been found, said Lynn Underwood, a city building official.

Rusty nails and joist hangers, combined with the weight of wedding reception guests, caused the Virginia Beach deck collapse, officials in that city said.

In recent years, codes officials across the state have been trying to bring greater awareness to deck safety, Underwood said. May was Deck Safety Awareness Month, which prompted the free inspection program that month.

During the Norfolk inspections, officials looked at the fasteners, the railings and how the decks are supported, Underwood and Cholewa said.

Residents can do the same if they want to check their own decks, they said. Look at the railings and the condition of the wood to make sure it's sound, Underwood said.

Check to see how the deck is supported. If the deck is nailed or bolted to the building, make sure there isn't any rust. If the deck seems to be pulling away from the building, it could be in danger of collapse.

"If you see any extensive rust or what looks like early deterioration in the metal, bring that to someone's attention," Cholewa said. "Call us, let us look at it."

Underwood also suggests checking the soil around any ground supports to make sure it isn't loose or collapsing.

Maintenance of the deck and support beams is recommended with products made to preserve them.

"Decks are built out of wood and wood will only last so long," Cholewa said. "The more maintenance you put into it, the longer it will last."

Cindy Clayton, (757) 446-2377, cindy.clayton@pilotonline.com