Winter in North Dakota brings brutal conditions. Unfortunately, heavy snow and ice can sometimes lead to major problems on outdoor living components like decks and patios. If you hear your deck come crunching down under the weight of the latest round of ice, there are a few precautions you should take to mitigate damage and protect your personal safety. Here are the first steps to take after sustaining major damage to your deck installation in Mandan, ND.
Do Not Stand on a Compromised Deck
Although it may be tempting to go survey the scene after a major accident, you should never stand or walk around on a compromised deck. Areas that may still look intact can quickly come down under new weight. Always put your safety first and alert anyone else in your home to avoid going on the deck until further notice.
Call Your Contractor
Instead of scoping out the scene yourself, give your deck company in New Salem, ND, a call and let the professionals handle it for you. Generally, the sooner you can call your contractor, the better. He or she will be the best authority on assessing the damage and will also know the safest ways to do so without causing further destruction.
Assess the Severity
Once your contractor is on the scene, he or she will evaluate the extent of damage and go over the report with you. If only one or two boards buckled under the weight of snow, you may be able to get by with minor deck repair in Bismarck, ND. If you are dealing with severe rot or extensive breaks, however, you may be better off partially or totally replacing your deck.
These are just some of the most important actions to take immediately following major deck damage. When in doubt, always let a professional deck contractor handle the cleanup for you.