Special Deck Safety and Inspection Training

ST. LOUIS, MO March 9, 2017 - The St. Louis Chapter of ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) is sponsoring NADRA’s (North American Decking and Railing Association) Deck Evaluation Certification Course. NADRA has come to St. Louis to help promote deck safety and provide training on deck inspections/evaluations to St. Louis area ASHI Home Inspectors. The deck evaluation training will be from 8 AM to 12:30 PM, March 9, 2017, at the St. Louis Association of Realtors, 12777 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, MO, 63141.

Would you let your child play on a backyard swing set that hasn't been inspected in many years? The same principle applies to your deck, which has a limited lifespan due to its exposure to the elements. On average, more than 35,000 people are injured each year through poor deck construction and/or maintenance issues. Consumer Protection Awareness estimates approximately 6,000 of these individuals are either paralyzed or suffer a head trauma.

People often delay or neglect deck maintenance which are wood structures that need to be treated and maintained. The connectors need to be checked on a regular basis. Decks should be inspected on an annual basis. If you're going to allow your children, family, and friends on a structure that is sometimes from 12 to 20 feet off the ground, take the time to check underneath your deck to ensure it's safe.

St. Louis ASHI Home Inspectors inspect decks as part of home inspections every day. As home inspectors, we see decks missing key components, poorly constructed, lacking proper maintenance, and with significant safety issues. ASHI is the oldest and most widely recognized non-profit, professional organization of home inspectors in North America. Its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics is the industry standard.