According to statistics, there are 40 million decks in the U.S. that are over 20 years old. Since the year 2000, the number of injuries and deaths related to deck failures has been increasing according to the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA). The typical life expectancy of a wood deck is usually 15-20 years, assuming regular maintenance. Nothing lasts forever, and any wooden structure exposed to the elements 24/7 will require regular maintenance and inspection to ensure safe usage and long life.
As part of a home inspection, a deck should be checked for various things, such as structural integrity, railing size and strength, hardware type and condition, and staircase issues.