Maintaining your deck doesn’t have to be a seasonal ordeal. Contemporary deck solutions mean less maintenance and more enjoyment of this key piece of your property.

Here are some easy “deck health” check-points to observe each season:

• Give your deck footings a thorough check each spring and fall. You’ll want to pay attention to any wood rot on the support posts. Keeping an eye out for cracked or loose footings can help you stay ahead of major deck damage.
• Check for missing and loosened fasteners (because a weak attachment point to your house could mean an unsafe situation on your deck).
• Notice whether your deck boards appear worn, warped, or rotted each year. You can replace a deck surface as long as your deck supports, joists, and footers remain in good shape.
• Thoroughly check all your deck components after any major storm or in seasons with exceptionally high snowfall and ice accumulation. The elements take a toll on any deck, and it’s crucial to know how nice or mean Mother Nature has been to your property each year.