The latest episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, “Check Your Deck,” features information about residential deck maintenance, inspections and deck permits. It is now available during Building Safety Month, an international campaign to raise awareness about the importance of building safety. DPS issues about 1,000 permits a year to build residential decks.
The new episode is now available on the DPS website and on popular podcast platforms including Amazon, Apple and Spotify. It also available at https://permittingservicespodcast.buzzsprout.com/. Subscribe to the podcast by tapping the “plus” or “follow” sign on the podcast provider’s platform.
DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas hosts the podcast. Her guest for this month’s episode is DPS Field Supervisor Jeremy Shupp.
“Building Safety Month reinforces the importance of being proactive and conscious of safety and conditions in and around your house year-round,” said DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan. “Decks are a great focal point because of their structural significance and high usage particularly during the spring and summer.”
The podcast provides information on why homeowners need permits for decks, what an inspector is looking for during a deck inspection and how regular maintenance, such as cleaning and sealing a deck, is important for extending its life.
“Maintenance of a deck should be done on a regular basis,” said Field Supervisor Shupp. “You want to keep that structure safe and enhance the longevity of the deck itself.”
During an inspection, Shupp said, inspectors are looking at the integrity of the wood, fasteners, the ledger attachment, guardrails, stairs and more.
Homeowners will find guidance about deck maintenance inspections, including a checklist, on the DPS website.
The DPS website features an overview of the permitting process for decks, resources for applying for a deck permit and frequently asked questions and answers.
Future DPS Podcast episodes will cover a variety of topics from firepits to solar panels to use and occupancy certificates. Have a question or idea for a future podcast episode? Email dps.podcast@montgomerycountymd.gov.
The Department of Permitting Services is located at 2425 Reedie Drive, 7th Floor in Wheaton. The customer service lobby is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Appointments are not needed to get assistance in person.