INSPECTION CONNECTION

Wood decks have been enjoyed by millions of American friends and families for hundreds of years. The designs and styles are practically endless, with new techniques and materials constantly changing to make construction more effective and safe. Since a basic square or rectangle deck appears to be simple to build, more diy-ers are apt to give it a shot, even if carpentry isn't their mastered skill. This can present real issues related to the stability and durability of the deck, as well as serious safety issues that can lead to injury and lawsuits. Plans and provisions should be made when building a deck or buying a home with a deck to assure its safety and structural integrity. Most deck collapses result in the deck pulling away from the house-it is very rare for a deck to collapse on its supports. Some of my home inspections have revealed a board attached to brick siding by a couple of masonry nails. Now, given that people tend to congregate at the railings on a deck, and not against the house, these few nails in a brick could be holding the resistance of thousands of pounds. Lag bolts should penetrate the house skirt framing behind the siding, even if the siding is brick. Many codes require the deck to be supported separately and not by the house structure. The posts that support the deck framing and deck should be attached to concrete piers above grade. Wood posts that are buried will eventually rot, even it they are treated lumber. Many DIY-ers simply set a post on top of a block that is sitting on the ground. This could easily kick out, and cause the deck to collapse.The framing should always sit on the post, not bolted into the side of the post. The post can be notched, or special connectors can be used. The diagram below shows an improperly attached girder, and unfortunately, the most common way for a diy-er to build it. Some even use deck screws or drywall screws instead of proper lag bolts.

The most likely place to get injured from a deck is handrail failure. People will lean on them, sit on them, and maybe even try to walk on them! Typically, a handrail should be at least 36” high, and increases with the height of the deck from the ground. Many railings that I see during home inspections

have horizontal railings beneath the handrail. A child or pet will crawl or fall under or through them and fall off the deck. The balusters should be vertical and no more than 4” apart. The reason for this is obvious-we all have or know of a child who has caught his/her head between the balusters. I once saw a 3 yr old at the zoo who got her head stuck in the railings over a bridge, she instinctively began to shriek. Her father and I were able to pull the rails apart on each side of her head while her mother pulled her head out. The child was scared and crying, but fine, and her parents were naturally quite embarrassed. One would think that at a large public zoo the baluster spacing would have prevented this act. The bottom rail, if suspended off the deck surface, should also be no more than 4” off the surface to prevent a child or pet from falling or crawling under and through as well.

In short, not everyone is qualified to build a sturdy, reliable deck. It may look easy, but all things considered, is not really a “weekend project” and will require planning,  investigating, and some hard work. A properly built deck can last many years, and hold many memories. It is best to hire a reputable contractor to build your deck if you are not experienced. Yes, it can be a little more expensive, but the payoff is worth it, because a deck usually has only one primary purpose- to relax and enjoy!