FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21,
2011
Contact: Liv
Faris, Colehour + Cohen, 206-262-0363 x 103 or cell: 206-920-9227
Shelby Lentz, Simpson
Strong-Tie, 925-560-9068 or cell: 206-817-1732
Deck Inspection Week Emphasizes
Importance of Deck Safety
American Society of
Home Inspectors conducts free deck inspections in Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle
areas
CHICAGO,
Ill. – From June 21 to June 28, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
will conduct free deck inspections for homeowners in the Atlanta, Chicago and
Seattleareas to evaluate the structural safety of their decks this summer and educate
them about the importance of building and maintaining a safe, strong deck. Deck
Inspection Week is a collaboration between ASHI and structural safety expert Simpson
Strong-Tie.
More than
half of all decks in the U.S. are not built to code and in need of repair or
replacement; millions are built incorrectly, have not been properly maintained
or are beyond their lifespan of approximately 10-15 years.Since 2003, there
have been thousands of reported injuries and more than 20 deaths as the result
of deck collapses.
“Deck
collapse is a real problem in America,” explained ASHI President Kurt Salomon.
“It is important to be aware that not all decks are built properly. Furthermore
they age and deck components can fail making some decks structurally unsafe.
These accidents are completely avoidable by knowing the five warning signs of
an unsafe deck, regular inspections and proactive repairs.”
Homeowners
should check their deck each year for five key warning signs that indicate a
needed repair or, in some cases, complete replacement. Warning signs include
loose connections (for example, a wobbly railing), missing connections (for
example, the deck is just nailed to the side of the house), corrosion (such as
red rust), rot and large cracks. The two critical areas in a deck collapse are
the deck’s connection to the house and the railings.
“Your deck
may be beautiful, but if it’s not built properly, it can be a real safety
hazard,” said Ricardo Arevalo, VP of engineering with Simpson Strong-Tie. “Our
goal this week is to help educate people about the importance of deck safety.
We want to make sure families enjoy their decks safely this summer.”
To receive a
free inspection, homeowners must meet ASHI’s deck requirements and be willing
to sign an inspector agreement. A limited number of free inspections were
available on a first-come, first-served basis between June 21 and June 28.
Homeowners who signed up for a free deck inspection will receive a free Deck Safety
Guide and a chance to win one of several deck-related prizes.
To learn
more about Deck Inspection Week, visit www.facebook.com/decksafety.
About Simpson Strong-Tie
For more than 50 years,
Simpson Strong-Tie has focused on creating structural products that help people
build safer and stronger homes and buildings. A leader in structural systems
research and technology, Simpson Strong-Tie is one of the world’s largest
suppliers of structural building products. The company manufactures metal connectors, such as joist
hangers, and other hardware used to secure the structural frame of homes and
decks. For
more information, visit the Simpson Strong-Tie Web site at www.strongtie.com or their consumer site at www.safestronghome.com.
About the American Society of Home
Inspectors
Founded
in 1976 and with more than 5,000 members, 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. ASHI's "Find an Inspector" tool allows
homeowners to locate an inspector in their area. Always check with your local
inspector for a complete list of services provided.For more information, visit ASHIonline.
6/21/2011