Outdoor Safety & Yard.
The outside of your home is more than curb appeal — decks, grading, trees, and defensible space are real safety and maintenance concerns, especially in the mountains. Here’s what we look at and what you can manage.
What we check during an inspection
We evaluate the accessible exterior elements that affect safety and the home’s relationship with water.
✓ Decks & balconies
We check ledger attachment, railings, posts, and visible footings for rot, movement, and safe construction.
✓ Grading & drainage
We look at how the soil slopes around the home and whether water is directed away from the foundation.
✓ Walks, steps & drives
We note trip hazards, settling, and significant cracking.
✓ Exterior structures
We visually review sheds and retaining walls for condition and movement.
✓ Vegetation near the home
We flag trees and shrubs in contact with siding or roof.
✓ Exterior electrical & lighting
We check exterior outlets for GFCI protection and note lighting/safety concerns.
Common problems we find
✓ Improper deck ledgers
Poorly attached or unflashed ledgers are a leading cause of deck collapse — a serious safety issue.
✓ Unsafe railings
Loose, low, or wide-spaced railings, especially on older decks and stairs.
✓ Negative grading
Soil sloping toward the house, sending water straight to the foundation.
✓ Overgrown vegetation
Plants against the siding trap moisture, invite pests, and raise fire risk.
✓ Trip hazards
Settled or heaved walkways and steps.
✓ Failing retaining walls
Leaning, bulging, or cracked walls that may be losing their hold.
What you can maintain yourself
✓ Inspect the deck each spring
Check boards, railings, and fasteners; reseal wood to fight sun and snow.
✓ Keep water moving away
Maintain grading sloped away from the home and extend downspouts.
✓ Trim back vegetation
Keep plants and branches off the siding and roof.
✓ Maintain defensible space
Clear the first 5 feet of flammables and thin vegetation from 5–30 feet of the home.
✓ Fix hazards promptly
Address trip hazards and keep walks clear of ice in winter.
✓ Have big trees assessed
Get large or dead trees near the house evaluated by an arborist.
This guide is for general education. It reflects what we look for during a home inspection, not a substitute for a licensed professional. If you have a specific concern, please contact a qualified contractor or arborist — and of course, we’re always happy to take a look during an inspection.
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Home Maintenance, Season by Season
A spring-through-winter checklist tuned for Front Range homes.
Read →Plumbing
Plumbing issues are some of the most common — and most expensive — problems we find. Here’s what we actually look at during an inspection, what tends to go wrong, and what you can stay ahead of yourself.
Read →Electrical
Electrical problems are among the most safety-critical things we find — and often the least visible. Here’s what we check, the red flags we look for, and what you can safely keep an eye on yourself.
Read →Concerned about your outdoor safety & yard?
We’ll give your home a thorough, plain-English inspection and flag anything worth a closer look.