A Guide for Storm Proofing your Deck

​We are less than a month away from the Atlantic hurricane season which begins on June 1 and continues through November 30. During this time, the entire east coast is vulnerable to hurricanes and quickly changing weather conditions characterized by high winds, rains, etc. And while many people routinely think of ways to protect their home, their cars and other possessions during this time of year, some neglect to think of their outdoor deck. Even well-built decks are vulnerable to high winds, flying debris and heavy rains. This is why as Chatham NJ deck builders we encourage you to give more than a passing thought to fortifying your deck against this tumultuous time of the year. Here is a list of specific things you can do to protect this investment in your home.

• Trim the surrounding trees: High winds can easily and without warning cause branches to fall onto your deck damaging it and your home. For this reason you should consider trimming any branches that are now hanging over your deck. This precaution could save you money and protect your family from harm.
• Remove large objects: At the first sign of a hurricane, remove large objects from your deck such as lawn furniture and decorations. These items often become projectiles during high winds and can slam into your home or get sucked away from your deck completely. Consider securing them in your garage or basement.
• Remove potted plants: Bring potted plants in from your deck and place them inside. These are generally fragile and need protection from high winds and strong rains.
• Schedule an inspection now: Have one of our custom deck Builders in NJ inspect your deck now for vulnerabilities before hurricane season begins. Our experts can quickly tell if your deck needs repair or replacement.
• Make sure everything is disconnected: Power surges and outages are quite common during thunderstorms and hurricanes. Make sure that you disconnect all power sources on your deck at the first sign of severe weather. Items you should disconnect include propane tanks, gas and electric grills systems, hard-wired speakers, decorative lighting etc.

National Hurricane Preparedness week has already come and gone (May 6-12, 2018) but it is not too late to begin thinking about securing your home against the capricious nature of spring and summer weather. Our team can play a huge role in helping you to protect your investment year round if you already have a deck and can build a strong, sturdy deck if you do not.