Residents of Montgomery County can breathe a little easier knowing that their decks can receive a professional once-over without pulling out the wallet this upcoming May. The Department of Permitting Services (DPS) will offer free deck maintenance inspections for the "Building Safety Month" awareness campaign. The complimentary service is limited to the first 300 appointments, so interested parties must act fast to secure their spot.
The international campaign spotlights the importance of adherence to contemporary building codes, this year rallying behind the theme "Game On!" In what has become an annual initiative, May serves as a reminder to homeowners to ensure the safety and integrity of their structures. Per the Montgomery County announcement, the DPS provides additional resources like a deck maintenance checklist and an instructional video on their website to support this endeavor further.
"Building safety is ensured through good practices, strong standards and community partnerships," said County Executive Marc Elrich. "Programs like these free residential deck inspections are one of the ways we help residents take small, important steps that can prevent major problems down the road." Homeowners interested in the program can schedule their inspection starting Thursday by calling MC 311 or submitting a service request on the DPS website, ensuring their property address and contact details are included.
DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan emphasized the efficiency and the importance of the inspections, stating, "It typically takes DPS inspectors less than 30 minutes to check the overall condition of a deck. Now is a good time to examine the overall condition of your deck. We highly encourage homeowners to take advantage of this free residential deck inspection." The Montgomery County press release elaborates that most deck collapses occur at the ledger-to-house connection, underlining the critical nature of these inspections.
