Deck Inspection in Montréal

A deck carries people, snow and furniture, and it sits outside through every freeze and thaw. I'm Pantelis Ambatzis, a Certified Master Inspector (CMI®), and I inspect decks, balconies and exterior stairs in Montréal, Laval, the West Island and the South Shore, as part of a pre-purchase inspection or on their own, in English or French.

Where decks fail

Most serious deck problems start where you can't see them from the top: the connection to the house, the posts and footings, and the hardware that holds it all together. A deck can look fine from the surface and still be loose where it's attached.

What I check

• Ledger connection: how the deck is fastened to the house, whether it's bolted or only nailed, and whether flashing keeps water out of the wall behind it;
• Posts, beams and footings: rot at the base, posts sitting directly on soil, heaving from frost, and missing or undersized post connectors;
• Joists and hangers: rust, missing fasteners, sagging and soft wood;
• Decking: rot, cracked or loose boards and trip hazards;
• Railings and guards: height, spacing between balusters and how firm they are when pushed;
• Stairs: stringers, treads, handrails and the landing at the bottom;
• Drainage and clearance: water running toward the foundation, and wood in contact with soil.

Montréal winters and decks

Freeze and thaw cycles move footings that aren't deep enough, and wet snow left on a deck all winter adds weight and keeps the wood damp. On older plexes, I often find balconies and exterior stairs with rusted fasteners or rot at the posts. When a deck is built over a finished basement or a garage, I also look for signs of water getting inside.

What you receive

I explain what I find on site and you receive a written report with photos and findings ranked by priority: safety items first, then repairs to plan and maintenance. When the deck is part of a pre-purchase inspection, the findings go into the same BNQ 3009-500 report.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a deck be checked?

Look it over yourself every spring after the snow melts. Have it inspected when you buy the house, after a major storm or ice season, or if you notice movement, soft boards or loose railings.

Do you check whether the deck had a permit?

I can't confirm permits; that's done with the city. I do point out signs that a deck may have been built without proper methods, such as nails instead of structural fasteners at the ledger or posts sitting directly in the soil.

Can you inspect only the deck?

Yes. A stand-alone deck or balcony inspection is available. Call me with the address and a few photos and I'll give you a price the same day.

Do you inspect balconies on plexes?

Yes. Front and rear balconies and exterior stairs on Montréal plexes are part of a plex inspection, and they're often where I find the most wear.

Buying a home with a deck or balcony? Call 514-924-8887 for a same-day quote, or reach us through the contact page.