When Exterior Structures Fail: What This Week’s Deck Collapse Reminds Us About Home Safety

A recent deck collapse in St Johns County, Florida injured multiple people and sent several to the hospital. While the investigation is still ongoing, incidents like this highlight a broader issue that often goes unnoticed: exterior structural components tend to fail silently.

Decks, balconies, stairs, and railings are exposed to constant stress — moisture, heat, salt air, and daily use. Over time, fasteners corrode, wood deteriorates, and critical connections

weaken behind finished surfaces where problems aren’t visible.

This risk can be amplified in short-term rental properties. Owners may live out of town, maintenance is often reactive rather than preventive, and structures may routinely support larger groups than they were originally designed for. Guests rarely know what warning signs to look for, and early indicators often go unreported.

Most structural failures don’t occur without warning — the warnings just aren’t obvious to the untrained eye.

Annual evaluations of elevated and exterior structures can identify issues such as:

• Ledger board attachment failures

• Fastener and connector corrosion

• Hidden wood rot

• Inadequate load support

• Railing and guardrail instability

These evaluations aren’t about assigning fault or predicting outcomes. They’re about reducing risk and keeping people safe.

Local inspectors often recommend periodic safety reviews of exterior structures, particularly for coastal homes and short-term rentals, as part of responsible property ownership.