“Deck Inspections” Course
The deck ledger board in this photo is a 2x6. It is also attached to the foundation with a “Hilti Gun” nails.
Decks
Only 40% of the decks that are built are considered safe. It is surprising that there isn’t adequate research conducted and record keeping on the number of injuries and deaths by deck failures. More so, building permits and inspections for decks should have the same attention and detail provided as the structure of the home is when inspected.
one of the most overlooked items regarding stairs and rails regardless if they are interior or exterior is baluster spacing. As mentioned in numerous spots in the how to inspect a deck course the rule of thumb is a 4 inch ball cannot pass thru and this is code almost everywhere for good reason. it is there in order to prevent small children from putting their heads thru the space between to balusters and causing injury to themselves or in the worst cases death by strangulation. it is for this reason the requirement was enacted and many older homes don’t adhere to this code.
Deck in the picture shows a lot of weathering and decay. What can not be seen is the one side of deck is actually sitting on grade and was very soft to walk on. In picture you can see the sagging that is happening to the right side of the steps. Railing is also improperly secured and does wobble when grasped.
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I read the article on home winterization. With fall on its way, many home owners will begin to prepare for winter so I thought I would brush up on this topic
I feel the article covered a lot of items that many people don’t think of in the fall until it’s too late. Having your furnace inspected. Many people consider it a once a year thing to do, it really should not be “once a year” rather “every fall” if simply to ensure the venting is in good order as well as a good filter change before use. People in my area also clean gutters typically in the spring, I had never thought anything of it until it mentions poor runoff performance due to a buildup of leaves and debris could lead to ice damning. Yet another thing to think of when talking to clients about maintenance, especially new home buyers.
In the article “inspecting a Deck, Illustrated”, the most common failure points are discussed. 90% of failures being the attachment to the home and followed by railings and stairs. Since the most common failure is the deck house (ledger) interface, it is of upmost importance to do all you can in to inspect this connection. Proper lag bolts or screws with adequate spacing must be present. It is sometimes very difficult or impossible to properly inspect this connection due to very low decks or lattice completely blocking any access. If this is the case you must note this in your report and inform the potential buyer. Loose or low railing as well as inadequate stairs are the other most common failure sites.
The attached picture shows ballusters of a deck with the angles cut properly in order to shed water. All vertical posts and ballusters of a deck should be cut at angle rather than having a flat top in order to let water drain off rather than pooling.
Deck Inspection Research Exercise- Basic Waterproofing for Basements
Install and maintain down spouts and gutters so that they are far enough away from the home so that rain water and melted snow does not pool near the walls of the building. Also, the final grading beside the house should be sloped away from the building for 10 to 15 feet. Again to prevent pooling and water build-up.
Deck:
This is a double decker deck built of wood. The size is 18’x12’, new, and soundly built.
It is connected to the ledger board of the home in the correct manner using thru bolts
and the correct flashing for water proofing.
The handrails are in good condition as well as the spacing between the balusters correct.
Decks:
Because decks may appear to be simple to build, many people do not realize that decks are, in fact, structures that need to be designed to adequately resist certain stresses. Like any other house or building.
A deck must be designed to support the weight of people, snow loads, and objects such as a hot tub.
A deck must be able to resist lateral and uplift loads thatcan act on the deck as a result of wind or seismic activity. Deck stairs must be safe and handrails graspable. And, also, deck rails shouldbe safe for children by having proper spacing between the balusters.
More than 2 million decks are built and replaced each year in North America. It is estimates that of the 45 million existing decks, only 40% are completely safe.
Deck Inspection:
A deck failure is any failure of a deck that could lead to injury, including rail failure, or total deck collapse. There is no international system that tracks deck failures, and each is treated as an isolated event, rather than a systemic problem. Rail failure occurs much more frequently than total deck collapses; however, because rail failures are less dramatic than total collapses and normally don’t result in death, injuries fromrail failures are rarely reported.
Below are some interesting facts about deck failure:
More decks collapse in the summer than during the rest ofthe year combined.
Almost every deck collapse occurred while the decks were occupied or under a heavy snow load.
There is a slight correlation between deck failure and the age of the deck.
About 90% of deck collapses occurred as a result of these separation of the house and the deck ledger board, allowing the deck to swing away from the house. It is very rare for deck floor joists to break mid-span.
Many more injuries are the result of rail failure, rather than complete deck collapse.
Deck stairs are notorious for lacking graspable handrails.
Many do-it-yourself homeowners, and even contractors, don’tbelieve that rail infill spacing codes apply to decks.
here is a deck that was repaired and resurfaced. The steps leading up to deck have been replaced. Steps are only 3 treads and deck finished grade is less than 30" so handrails not required. However, steps appear poorly built and improperly secured to deck with a few toenails. Top step is different height from others and poses a trip hazard.
So this course on deck inspections led me to a poorly built set of steps leading up to a deck on my brother in laws house. the steps appear poorly built and improperly secured to deck with a few toenails. The top step is a different height from the other step and poses a trip hazard.
I read the article on stairway inspections and was not shocked to learn that, 1638 people died from falls on steps and stairs in the United States in 2004. This figure is greater than the combined number of swimming pool and bathtub drownings for the same year, according to the National Safety Council.
This is a photo of the deck that was improperly built. The steps are of unequal heights the average difference of the step heights is one inch. This is a trip hazard. I recommend contacting a professional contractor to further inspect and repair prior the closing of the sale.
Hello I have just read an article about the maintenance of A/C unit. The simple process of yearly cleaning of the unit so I can run more efficiently , which will save you money. The simple task of checking the condensate line for clogs can prevent water backing up into the home. I was not a fan of covering the exterior unit, however the benefits of covering the unit really protects the working components from being exposed to the cold weather conditions. This is the type of information I will be passing onto my future clients.
Deck appears to be in good shape. Proper posts with footings Deck appears to be sound is not attached or supported by the brick house. Top plank boards are spaced properly and are in good shape.
I chose to write about aluminum siding. Aluminum siding was a popular choice for siding for years. But is on the decline due to vinyl siding. Aluminum pros are it is lightweight water proof and paintable. Also lasts 40 plus years. The cons is it dents easy shows scratches and needs to be painted it’s also a conductor or electricity.
I read the article on Deck Receptacles. All decks, porches, and balconies that are accessible by the inside of the home shall have and outdoor receptacle if the house was built in 2005 and after. It is not a defect if one is not present and should be recommend that one be installed.
The deck is on the front of the home. Its railing is not safe for children. it needs to have balusters installed with no more than 4" of space between each baluster.
This picture shows an improper post-to-footing connection. The post needs to be fastened to the footing to prevent slipping.
My research essay in on “Ant Inspection”. Because ants and termites are so similar, they can be easily mistaken for one another. Both construct nests in moist wood. Although termites do more structural damage, ants are more prevelant in most areas. Their nests are more likely to be found in wood dampened by water leaks, such as around bathtubs and sinks and poorly sealed window and door frames.Some things you can do to help prevent ant problems is to correct roof and plumbing leaks, seal cracks and openings in the foundation, eliminate wood-to-ground contact, clip back tree limbs and vegetation and keep firewood away from the garage and other areas around the home.