Spring and summer storms in our area can be brutal. Here is how to keep your deck safe and minimize damage when severe weather rolls through.
Know What You Are Protecting Against
North Georgia storms bring three main threats to a deck. High winds that can damage railings and roofs. Heavy rain that soaks framing and pools on surfaces. Falling branches and debris from the trees we love so much.
Each of these calls for a different kind of preparation.
Trim Trees Around the Deck
Branches that hang over a deck are the single biggest preventable threat. Walk the area around your deck once a year and look for dead limbs, weak branches, and trees that lean toward the deck.
Have an arborist trim or remove anything questionable. The cost of tree work is far less than repairing a crushed deck.
Secure Outdoor Furniture
Before a storm, bring in cushions, secure umbrellas, and tie down or store any furniture that could blow around. A patio chair flying across the deck in 60 mile per hour winds can damage railings, screens, and even the home itself.
Heavy items can be a hazard too. A propane tank that tips over is a real problem.
Check Roof and Cover Connections
If your deck has a covered roof or pergola, inspect the connections seasonally. Make sure post bases are tight, beam connections are secure, and roofing shingles or panels are in good shape.
High winds find the weak points. Tighten everything before storm season hits, not after.
Inspect Drainage and Gutters
If your deck is under or near a roof line, the gutters above it matter. Clogged gutters dump water onto the deck, accelerating rot and damaging finishes. Clean gutters and check downspouts before major storm seasons in spring and fall.
On the deck itself, make sure water flows off cleanly. Standing water becomes a bigger problem during repeated storms.
Tarping After Damage
If a storm damages a covered deck or screened porch, the first priority is keeping water out. Emergency tarping protects framing and surfaces from continuing damage while you arrange permanent repairs.
Our sister company Roofing Georgia handles emergency tarping for storm-damaged covers, and we coordinate the deck repair work that follows.
Document Damage for Insurance
After any significant storm, take photos of any damage to your deck and surrounding structures. Time-stamped photos help with insurance claims if you decide to file one.
Do not start permanent repairs until your insurance adjuster has had a chance to inspect, unless safety requires it.
Build It Right From the Start
The best storm protection is a deck built to handle weather from day one. Properly sized framing, good drainage, quality fasteners, and secure roof connections all add up. We build to handle North Georgia weather, not just a calm sunny day.
If you are concerned about how your existing deck will hold up, we are happy to come out and take a look.
Pro Tips From Our Crews
• Trim overhanging branches once a year. Falling limbs are the biggest preventable threat.
• Bring in cushions and secure umbrellas before any major weather event.
• Inspect cover and pergola post connections each season.
• Keep gutters clean. Overflow water onto a deck accelerates rot.
• Document any storm damage with photos before starting cleanup.
North Georgia storms are part of life. The best defense is a deck built right from the start, maintained well, and prepared in advance of weather events. Our roofing company sister business handles emergency tarping if a storm damages a covered deck or screened porch, and we coordinate the repair work that follows.
Common Questions From North Georgia Homeowners
Should I cover my deck with a tarp before a major storm?
For most storms, no. Tarps can become sails in high wind and cause more damage than they prevent. Better to secure loose items and let the deck handle the weather it was built for. After a storm, we can tarp damage if needed.
How quickly can you respond to storm damage?
For emergency situations, our roofing sister company Roofing Georgia handles emergency tarping quickly. For permanent deck repairs, we schedule based on severity. Major safety issues take priority. Cosmetic damage falls into our normal scheduling.
Serving North Georgia
We design and build custom decks, screened porches, covered decks, pergolas, and outdoor living spaces across North Georgia. That includes Pickens, Cherokee, Gilmer, Fannin, Dawson, Forsyth, Bartow, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, Union, and Gordon counties. If you are anywhere in our service area, we would love the chance to come walk your property and talk through what we can build for you.