When it comes to home safety in South Jersey, few features are as critical—and often overlooked—as handrails and guardrails. At AmeriSpec Inspection Services of South Jersey, we regularly encounter improperly installed rails during our detailed home inspections, putting families at unnecessary risk.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply maintaining your property, understanding the importance of proper handrail and guardrail installation could mean the difference between safety and serious injury.
Handrails and guardrails are vital for preventing falls—one of the leading causes of home injuries. Properly installed rails provide stability and protection, especially on stairs, decks, balconies, and elevated walkways. Without them, even a small misstep can lead to a dangerous accident.
A missing or improperly installed guardrail isn’t just a safety hazard—it’s also a potential violation of local building standards, which can cause problems during South Jersey home inspections and property sales.
Spacing between pickets (the vertical balusters) is not just a matter of design; it’s about child safety. Local building standards typically require that picket spacing be no more than 4 inches apart. This prevents small children from slipping through or getting their heads stuck—an essential detail that professional inspectors always check.
If the pickets are too far apart, your home could fail an inspection and present serious risks to occupants, especially in homes with young children.
During a South Jersey home inspection, our certified inspectors at AmeriSpecNJ.net specifically assess whether handrails and guardrails are installed where they should be. Here’s a quick guide:
Required on stairs with four or more risers.
Must be graspable (i.e., shaped so a hand can securely grab them).
Must be installed at a height between 34 and 38 inches from the stair nosing, per local building standards.
Required when a deck, porch, or floor surface is 30 inches or more above the adjacent ground.
Must be at least 36 inches high (42 inches for commercial applications).
Must be strong enough to withstand a concentrated load (often 200 pounds), as outlined by local building standards.
Common areas needing guardrails include:
Decks and patios
Stairway landings
Balconies and terraces
Open walkways inside multi-story homes
Failing to have proper railings in these areas could result in failed inspections, insurance complications, and—most importantly—a risk to your family’s safety.
At AmeriSpec Inspection Services of South Jersey, we don’t just check the basics. We dive deep into structural safety, including verifying that handrails and guardrails meet current local building standards. If we find issues, we provide detailed recommendations to protect your investment and your loved ones.
If you’re scheduling a home inspection in South Jersey, be sure you’re choosing a team that knows exactly what to look for — like AmeriSpec. Don’t leave something as important as railings to chance.
Whether you’re preparing your home for sale, buying a new property, or simply maintaining a safe living environment, properly installed and correctly spaced handrails and guardrails are essential.
Make sure your home passes inspection — and keeps everyone safe.
Ready for your South Jersey home inspection?
👉 Schedule your professional inspection with AmeriSpec today!
