Toronto, Canada (PRWEB), June 17, 2014 – Total Fence Inc. (www.TotalFenceInc.ca), the leader in residential, industrial, and commercial fence and deck installation in the Greater Toronto Area, is warning property owners to ensure their decks and fences are structurally sound after a collapse in Goderich, Ontario left five injured.
Five people were injured when a deck they were standing on collapsed at a Goderich-area hotel. A portion of the deck gave way as a group of 16 people posed for photos, causing some of the family members to fall around 10 feet to the ground below. Ontario’s Ministry of Labour is investigating the collapse. (Source: Carruthers, D., “Five people injured after patio collapses at Benmiller Inn near Goderich,” LFPress.com, April 20, 2014; www.lfpress.com/2014/04/20/two-people-injured-after-patio-collapses-at-benmillar-inn.)
“With summer just around the corner, more and more families will be spending time on their decks, enjoying the warmer weather and barbequing. At the same time, property owners need to ensure their decks are sound after the harsh winter and wet spring weather,” says Tony Defeo, owner of Total Fence Inc. “Rain, snow, wind, and even the hot sun can take their toll, weakening a deck’s structural integrity. Weather extremes can also cause fence posts to heave or lean.”
Defeo explains that there are a number of reasons why a deck could weaken and become unstable. The most common cause of deck collapse in North America consists of various issues with the ledger board, through which most decks are attached to the home; failing to ensure it is built up to code and secured properly can have devastating effects. Joist failure, board rot, post and beam failure, and foundation failures can also lead to collapse, as can using the wrong nails, screws, or other connectors and fasteners.
In addition to following a standardized code, Defeo adds that there are different local parameters to consider; seasonal weather patterns, for example, will dictate what kind of materials should be used. When building a deck in the Greater Toronto Area, it’s imperative to think about wind ratings, rain intensity, and snow loads.
“Now is the perfect time to have decks, fences, pergolas, custom pool cabanas, or other outdoor wooden structures checked to ensure they are structurally sound,” he concludes. “At Total Fence Inc., client safety is our top priority. We can identify poor building practices and wear and tear and recommend the most effective course of action—everything to ensure a safe, sturdy, strong deck.”
Total Fence Inc. is the leader in residential, industrial, and commercial fence and deck installation in the Greater Toronto Area. With the technical expertise and experience to handle jobs of any size, from small backyard decks to custom carpentry, pergolas, ornamental iron fences, acoustic sound barrier fencing, and industrial chain link enclosures, Total Fence Inc. provides residents of the GTA and surrounding areas a complete range of affordable fence installation and repair services to suit their personal tastes and needs. For more information on Total Fence Inc., visit the company’s web site at www.TotalFenceInc.ca or contact Total Fence Inc. by e-mail at info@totalfenceinc.ca or by calling (416) 239 5362.