Unsafe Deck And Guardrail

Unsafe Deck And Guardrail

This deck is strongly attached to the house.  It is square and strong.  The stairs are properly installed and there are night lights to help in the dark.  So why is it unsafe?  The guardrails lack vertical balusters.  An adult could take a swan dive through this guardrail!  The balusters should pass the "Coke Can Test."  The space between should be about the width of a coke can, or your hand.  The same goes along the bottom near the decking, just about the same space.  Vertical balusters also discourage children from seeing a ladder and climbing to the top!  And they are required by local codes almost everywhere. 

Jay performs inspections Monday through Saturday, throughout Northern Virginia, from his office in Bristow to Leesburg and Centreville, to Great Falls and Vienna and everywhere in between!