Deck Problems to Check | Ask Mason
Mason’s short videos and guides to common deck problems in Northern Virginia homes: ledgers, footings, joist hangers, railings, stairs and permits.
OUTDOOR LIVING & DECKS
10/27/20262 min read
ASK MASON · DECK
Deck Problems Mason Checks in Northern Virginia Homes
Short videos and plain-English guides to the deck problems we find most often.
Meet Mason, The Great House’s deck technician. In each short video, he shows how one part of your deck works, what goes wrong, and the warning signs to watch for.
Start with the Meet Mason video below, then pick a problem.
THE PROBLEMS
Things to Check on Your Deck
01 Why decks fail: the ledger
One of the most common causes of deck failures is a single board you’ve probably never noticed: the ledger. Read the guide →
02 What’s under your deck posts
Your deck is only as strong as what’s under its posts. Read the guide →
03 Joist hangers
Every board on your deck hangs on small pieces of metal called joist hangers. Read the guide →
04 Railings and the 4-inch rule
A deck railing has one job: to keep people from falling. Read the guide →
05 Why deck stairs trip people
Many deck falls happen on the stairs. Read the guide →
06 Do you need a deck permit?
Building a deck without a permit can cost you a lot later. Read the guide →
PLANNING A NEW DECK?
We check all of these when we build or repair a deck
We check the ledger, footings, joist hangers, railings and stairs, and we handle the permit and inspections. See prices and real projects on our deck and outdoor living page.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Want us to check your deck?
Free in-home visit from a Class A licensed team. We check all of these and give you a clear written plan.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Great House team
Written by the team at The Great House LLC, a Class A licensed builder and remodeler in McLean, VA (License #2705197237). We have renovated 30+ Northern Virginia homes since 2022.
PLANNING A PROJECT?
Our deck and outdoor living service
See prices, real photos and how we work: our deck and outdoor living page. Real projects: our project gallery.
Serving McLean, Vienna, Great Falls, Fairfax, all of Northern Virginia.