Balcony safety is an often-overlooked aspect of home safety but is critical to ensuring the well-being of residents. In Spokane, where many homes feature balconies to take advantage of the beautiful views, ensuring these structures are secure is key. A thorough home inspection before the sale of a property is the best time to assess the safety of a balcony, as it can prevent accidents and save lives.

Balconies are vulnerable to wear and tear due to their exposure to the elements. In Spokane’s varied climate, a balcony can undergo considerable stress throughout the seasons. Safety hazards such as loose railings, weakened floorboards, and faulty structures can go unnoticed by homeowners but pose significant risks. Ensuring these are addressed during a home inspection can prevent potential harm to future occupants and protect sellers from legal liability.

The first step in checking balcony safety is assessing its structural integrity. This means examining the support beams, floor joists, and cantilevers for signs of rot, rust, or other damage. Spokane inspectors should also check the connections to the building to ensure they have not become weakened or unstable. Any signs of significant wear could indicate that the balcony is unsafe to use and may require repair or reconstruction.

Railings are an essential component of balcony safety, designed to prevent falls. During an inspection, the railings must be checked for sturdiness. The height and spacing of the railings should meet Spokane’s building code requirements to ensure that they provide adequate protection, especially for homes with children. Any loose or damaged sections need to be repaired or replaced immediately to ensure safety.

Water damage can greatly impact the durability and safety of a balcony. Proper drainage systems are crucial in Spokane, where rain and snow can accumulate on exterior structures. During the home inspection, it’s important to ensure that water is not pooling on the surface and that there are no signs of water damage to the home’s exterior walls or to the balcony structure itself. Inspectors should also check for proper waterproofing that can prevent leaks and wood rot.

Flooring stability is a key safety factor for balconies. Inspectors will need to assess whether the flooring materials chosen are appropriate for the climate and if they have been installed correctly. They also check for any wear or damage, like cracked tiles or splintered wood, which could present a tripping hazard or indicate deeper structural issues.

Compliance with local building codes is non-negotiable when it comes to balcony safety. In Spokane, this means ensuring all aspects of the balcony, from railing height to load-bearing capacity, are up to standard. If any part of the balcony does not comply with these codes, it will need to be rectified before the sale can proceed.

Ensuring balcony safety is a vital part of home inspections in Spokane, and it is important to have a certified inspector with knowledge of local regulations and the expertise to identify potential issues. By conducting a thorough balcony inspection as part of the pre-sale process, sellers can provide peace of mind to buyers and ensure their future safety. Remember, when it comes to balconies, overlooking a small detail can lead to significant consequences. Therefore, balcony safety should always be high on the list of priorities for Spokane home inspections before a sale.