A deck can meet code when it is built and still create safety problems later. Debris can clog a drainage gap, guard rails can loosen, and fasteners can withdraw and create a trip hazard. If you want to keep your deck code-compliant, inspect the deck at least once a year and treat it like a new structure.
Keep Your Deck Code-Compliant With A Yearly Inspection
Start At The House Connection
Start where the deck meets the house. Protect the house envelope and avoid water trap entrapment. If the ledger board is spaced off the house to serve as a water channel, keep that channel clear so it can do its job.
Keep The Water Channel Clear
Leaves and debris can get stuck behind the spacing and clog it. Clear anything that blocks the space so the channel stays open. Water should move the way it was intended to move.
This is one of the easiest checks to do. It is also one of the most important because it helps prevent water from getting trapped where it does not belong.
Use A Simple Checklist
Checklist:
- Look behind the ledger area for leaves and debris.
- Confirm the channel stays open.
- Clear anything that blocks the space.
A simple habit helps here. Do this check at the same time each year so seasonal buildup does not catch you off guard.
Check Rails, Stairs, Piers, And Fasteners For Movement
Test the guard rails and confirm they stay connected as well as they did when the deck was built. Put your hands on rail sections and apply firm, controlled pressure. You are checking for movement that was not there before.
Then check the stairs and make sure they do not feel wobbly. Walk up and down once and pay attention to shifting, bouncing, or looseness. Stairs that wobble tend to get worse with time and use.
Work From Supports To Surface
Next, work through the supports and the deck surface:
- Check the piers and confirm they are not shifting. Foundation issues in the house can cause piers to shift and become compromised over time.
- Check the decking fasteners and make sure they stay down. Withdrawn fasteners can create a trip hazard, especially in high-traffic areas.
Start with a quick scan from standing height. Then do a closer look near doors, stairs, and the paths people use most.
Key Takeaway: A yearly inspection helps protect the house connection and catch early movement in rails, stairs, piers, and fasteners.
Need expert help keeping your deck code-compliant? Contact DW Decks for a free consultation.
Stay Ahead Of Code Compliance Changes Over Time
Review IRC Updates Every Three Years
International residential codes are updated every three years. Recent editions include 2018, 2021, and 2024. The next edition is expected in 2027.
Even if your deck does not change, the rules can. That is why it helps to treat those update years as check-in points.
Watch For Common Deck Rule Changes
Requirements can change at the council’s discretion. For example, a guard rail requirement could change from 36 inches to 38 inches. Gate rules near stairs can also change, including how a gate is allowed to swing.
Some changes are minor. They still matter when they affect rails, stairs, or gates.
Understand Local Adoption And Verify Your Municipality’s Version
Each municipality adopts the version it wants, so enforcement can vary by city. Some cities may still use a 2012 version. Many areas in Johnson County use the 2018 version, even though newer editions exist.
Check with your local municipality and confirm the version they enforce. If your deck met the 2018 requirements and your municipality still uses the 2018 version in 2027, you should be in good shape.
Verify Before You Assume Anything
If your municipality adopts a newer version, confirm whether any deck-related items changed. Focus on rules tied to guard rails, gates, and stairs.
Key Takeaway: Match your decisions to the code version your municipality has adopted.
Make Your Annual Compliance Plan Simple
Use The New Structure Mindset Once A Year
Once a year, look at the whole deck like you have never seen it before. Go through every aspect with the same route each time. Consistency makes it easier to notice what changed.
Follow The Same Route Every Time
Start at the house connection. Then move to rails, stairs, piers, and fasteners. Keep the routine simple so you actually follow it every year.
Small issues usually show up first. Debris buildup, minor wobble, and early fastener withdrawal often come before bigger problems.
Call DW Decks When Something Shifts
If rails loosen, stairs wobble, piers shift, or fasteners withdraw, call us. Those are warning signs that the deck needs attention.
We will review the deck and help you address issues before they become hazards. We focus on the areas that matter most for safety and stability.
Schedule a consultation with DW Decks today so you can keep your deck code-compliant.
