CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - April 25, 2013) - Spring is synonymous with deck season and barbecuing, but is also the time of year when the majority of deck collapses occur. There is also a heightened risk of deck failures in areas that get a considerable amount of winter moisture, and freeze and thaw weather.
An improperly built or deteriorating deck can cause unnecessary and often serious injuries, even death. Between 2003 and 2007, deck failures or collapses caused close to 35,000 injuries and several deaths in North America(1). With over 40 million decks and patios in North America over 20 years old, there is a significant safety concern as collapses have been increasing at an alarming rate, causing injuries and property damage.
"The reasons behind a deck collapse can range from the age of the deck, to poor maintenance, exceeding load capacity and poorly built systems," said Tory Weber, CEO of SigmaDek. "We see homeowners who put a hot tub on the deck, fill it with thousands of pounds of water, then add eight people to it, and never do an inspection first."
SigmaDek, a Calgary-based company, has identified this risk and designed a deck system that eliminates issues regarding deck failures by using materials that do not deteriorate. Further, the decks are engineered so that they can only be installed according to their design, and are installed in one day by certified installers. SigmaDek is a safe, strong and sustainable non-wood component decking system that includes substructure, railing, and stairs, and carries a lifetime warranty.
The North America Deck and Railing Association(2) shares tips for consumers to consider before deck season. They should look for:
- Split and decaying wood: This includes ledger board, support posts, joists, deck boards, railings and stairs.
- Sound flashing: Flashing is a metal or plastic guard that directs water out and away from sensitive areas. It's often installed where the deck and house come together, keeping moisture and debris from collecting between the house and the deck's ledger board.
- Loose or corroded fasteners: This includes nails, screws or anchor in the ledger board.
- All railings and banisters are secure.
- Stairs are in place and secure.
- Any source of fire is placed well away from flammable surfaces.
"SigmaDek is a solution to eliminate deck failures. We spent several years engineering and perfecting SigmaDek, providing homeowners with the peace of mind and confidence of a lifetime warranty," added Weber.
The material used in SigmaDek's award-winning design is aerospace quality aluminum that is much more durable than chemically treated wood.
For additional information regarding SigmaDek's products please visit the website at http://www.sigmadek.com/products .
ABOUT SIGMADEK
Based in Calgary, Canada SigmaDek Ltd. is a privately held company founded in January 2008. SigmaDek has spent over four years designing and engineering a totally safe, fully engineered non-wood component decking system. SigmaDek is using materials that do not deteriorate and can only be installed according to a pre-engineered design. These systems are made from rugged die cast aluminum and extruded aluminum. SigmaDek is taking the lead in providing a Safe, Strong and Sustainable alternative to wood constructions, while improving outdoor esthetics.
(1) Outdoor Deck and Porch Injury Study, By Legacy Services LLC, 2010
(2)North American Decking and Railing Association, http://www.nadra.org/DSM_checklist2012.pdf
