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A porch roof will be prone to leaking if it suffers damage from extreme weather events, or if it was improperly installed and waterproofed from the get-go. In some cases, a porch roof will be leaky simply because it's at the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. Proper maintenance and promptly repairing damage from high winds and hail will help keep your porch roof from leaking.

While the chemical, copper-based coating on pressure-treated wood offers protection from rot and pests, it’s not a silver bullet. An added sealant will help protect the wood further, though sometimes the wood is treated in a way that causes premature failure, and this is largely out of your control. It’s simply a case of bad luck. Regularly inspect all your house’s wood to look for any cracks or signs of mold and mildew. Getting ahead of the problem is the key to ensuring it doesn’t grow out of control.

While building your deck, you might come across something called the four-inch sphere rule. Essentially, this railing requirement for a deck states that a four-inch ball should not be able to fit through any gap in the deck railings. The gap between spindles and between the decking and the bottom of the railing must be less than four inches to prevent small children or pets from squeezing through the gap.

When installing deck boards, screws are a better option than nails. For one, screws have more holding strength than nails, so they’re better at keeping your deck boards in place. Also, nails are more likely to pop out of the boards than screws, which can create a tripping or poking hazard on your deck.