You've probably heard stories about someone throwing a party on their deck, with friends and family around, laughter echoing everywhere, when out of nowhere, the deck collapses. Plates and glasses crash on the ground, and people fall with them, causing injuries or worse.
These frightening incidents aren’t just isolated events; they happen more often than most people think. This is why you should never compromise on deck safety. Good planning and high-quality materials are the first steps, but regular maintenance is just as important.
Using the best stainless steel deck screws and other high-quality parts can make a big difference in how strong, safe, and secure your deck is.
Our team of experts has put together useful and insightful answers to the frequently asked questions on deck safety and why they recommend using stainless steel deck screws.
How common are deck failures?
There are over 6,500 injuries each year due to deck collapses, and unfortunately, some of these incidents can be deadly. Deck safety is crucial for many reasons:
- In the U.S., there are more than 60 million decks, and around half of them are past their prime, which could make them dangerous.
- All year, decks have to deal with harsh weather like hot summers, cold winters, and rain that weakens their structure over time.
- In decks that are 20 to 30 years old, materials have worn out or older building methods were used, which is why most decks fail.
Why do decks collapse?
There are two main ways that decks collapse and cause injuries:
- The deck comes loose from the house at the ledger board.
- The guardrails fail.
About 90% of deck collapses are due to ledger board failures, making this the most critical area to inspect and maintain for safety.
Here are more reasons behind a deck failure:
- Water damage and rot weaken decks.
Flashing is missing, damaged, or not installed properly, which lets water get in and build up behind the ledger.
- Nails aren't reliable in connecting ledgers.
Nails can get bent, come loose, or even pull out over the years, especially when the weather changes. This makes the connection weaker and raises the chances of a deck collapse.
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Common fastening mistakes that compromise deck safety:
- Using screws or bolts that aren't up to code.
- Spacing fasteners too far apart
- Not using enough fasteners
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If the ledger board is already weak, added pressure from the wind and the weight of the deck can lead to cracks, loosen fasteners, make wood rot worse, and even cause it to partially or completely collapse.
We suggest using stainless steel deck screws. Unlike nails, which can bend, loosen, or pull out over time—especially as wood expands and contracts with changing weather—stainless steel screws are strong against rust and corrosion and remain securely in place. This strong connection keeps the ledger board attached to the house, greatly lowering the chances of the deck falling apart.
If your deck's ledger boards are fastened with nails, you should have it inspected and repaired with stainless steel fasteners to improve deck safety.
How do you inspect a deck for safety?
Decks don't usually fall apart slowly; they either hold together well or break all at once, often when they're under a lot of stress, like at a big party. Walk around your deck and check the major components, especially during busy months like summer.
Here's how to inspect each component of your deck if it's still safe:
Railings
First, take a look at your railings. Railings are an important part of deck safety. When people are on decks and patios, they often lean on the bars, so it's helpful to know what they feel like.
Grab hold of them and make sure everything is nice and secure. Walk all the way around your deck, checking every railing to ensure it’s securely in place.
Deck Stairs
Check your steps next, especially if they're connected to your house or deck. The staircase and steps should have the right rise and run and look even. Make sure that all of the handrails that lead down the steps are secured. This helps keep your deck safe for everyone who gets on and off your deck.
Structure and Ledger Board
Now take a look at the structure itself, especially the deck's underside. Making sure the place where the deck meets the house is safe and not pulling away is important. Check that the flashing is doing its job of keeping water out. Check for stains or other signs that water is getting into the house.
If you’ve bought a new house with an old deck, be sure to check how the deck is attached to the house. If you see nails holding it together, that is a red flag since most failures happen there. It should be secured with lag bolts or screws. If you’re living by the coast, we strongly suggest using 316-grade stainless steel deck screws.
Pro Tip: Build a safer deck by adding diagonal deck bracing. With diagonal supports, the deck stays stable even when it's not connected to anything else.
If your deck feels wobbly or sways, installing pressure-treated boards at a 45-degree angle between the joists and beams locks everything in place and greatly improves stability. Use strong, structural fasteners like 4-inch structural screws to secure the braces properly.
Joists
You can tell that deck joists are bad by doing the knife test. Look down between the gaps of your deck boards to see the frame underneath. Next, push a knife into the joists. If it does not move, your foundation is solid. If it feels soft or squishy, there might be rot.
Inside the House
You can also inspect inside the house where the deck is connected.
If your basement isn't finished yet, check the area where the deck meets the floor to make sure there are no signs of damage or water stains. If the basement is finished, look on the roof above the area for water stains or any other sign that water is getting in.
Water getting into decks through the house is a regular problem, so this is an important part of the inspection.
Support Columns
Next, look at the beams that hold up the deck. Check to see if they are level (plumb) and not pulling away from the deck. Make sure you look at these parts very carefully to find anything that looks out of place or unstable.
How to keep a deck from rotting?
Moisture is the biggest enemy of wood and fasteners. Even pressure-treated wood isn’t completely protected inside, especially when cuts expose untreated areas.
Here's how you keep your deck from rotting:
- Use joist tape or ledger tape on top of joists to protect wood from moisture.
- Choose stainless steel deck screws because they resist rust and corrosion better than other deck fasteners.
- Choose top-notch pressure-treated wood, ideally with fewer knots and better grading.
- Seal or cover the cut edges and holes using the right wood preservative or stain.
- Clean, stain, or seal your deck regularly to keep water out.
Improve Deck Safety with Stainless Steel Deck Screws
Deck safety requires more than just good design. It demands the right materials and fasteners throughout every component. Using high-quality stainless steel deck screws ensures your deck stays secure and resistant to rust and corrosion.
Here's the list of stainless steel deck screws that our experts trust:
- Eagle Claw Stainless Steel Deck Screws for framing and decking.
- Strong-Drive® SDS Heavy Duty Hex Connector Screw for post brackets and rim joists.
- SDWS Stainless Steel Structural Screws for fastening beams.
- Simpson SDS 1.5-inch Structural Screws for joists and hurricane ties.
- Strong-Drive® SDWH Timber-Hex Stainless Steel Screw for guardrail tension ties.
These screws provide the strength and durability needed to withstand weather changes and prevent common failures, especially at critical points like the ledger board and joist connections. Choosing the right stainless steel fasteners is essential to guaranteeing deck safety, especially when combined with regular inspections and proper maintenance.
