Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Earth to wood contact - no good. Concrete to wood contact is okay so long as it’s treated lumber. But not in this case.
There's no way that post could be secured to the slab unless they "super glued" it  An easy test would have been to give it a little kick or try and lift it.
It's wrong. I would have written it up as well. I think it's safe to say, this was not built conforming to any building standards.
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: tallen This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I see them now, but if I did not have cable they would take a long time to load. You should try to resize them for the message board if possible.
I would write them up. They should be up off the slab. There are no bolts under the posts.( I have x-ray vision). If I can't see them they do not exist.  
-- I have put the past behind me,
where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
IMHO that is a maintence concern and should be noted, but unless I am missing something it does not seem to be a serious defect. I would be more concerned with the sagging ridge line …
– Robert O’Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: kmcmahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Honestly, there’s more than one way to skin a cat…Some sources let you set the posts on a layer of gravel several feet below grade. That type of installation allows ground contact, however the posthole is filled with gravel to keep moisture away from the post. If gravel is allowed as a foundation, then resting on a 4" concrete slab probably won’t affect anything.
Piers are meant for two things…to get bearing on good soil, or to get below a frostline.
Originally Posted By: rmoore This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Assuming the posts are sitting on pins of some sort…
If that is what it looks like, appearance grade exterior wood (Sunwood, etc) then eventually the bottom is going to rot from moisture wicking into the end grain. I hope there is some diagonal bracing under the deck and lag bolts. Even without that long single flight of stairs pushing on one side, I would also like to see some diagonal rim joist to post bracing.
PS...to my eye, the ridge itself doesn't look like it's sagging. It looks like an El-shaped gable roof and the framing didn't quite line up at the corner. (???) The neighbors seem to have the same problem.
-- Richard Moore
Rest Assured Inspection Services
Seattle, WA
www.rainspect.com
Originally Posted By: dbowers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
are giving you GRIEF for reporting:
"That some deck posts have improper wood/soil contact; other posts do not appear to have been installed in footings and have no visible manner of anchoring to the concrete slab; and the two 4x4's supporting the whole deck look real puny (especially if you had a party with 7 or 8 beefy buddys on it) AND in your opinion these conditions should be corrected for the long term function and safety of the deck".
If your CLIENTS are whining - they can simply ignore your advice.
If ANYONE other than your client is whining - they don't count. They don't write your check - they are NON ENTITITIES.
Originally Posted By: rmoore This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Can’t see any marks Todd. I think Jeff had the best idea. A good kick should tell if it’s “registered” in any way. Even then I doubt if you could tell if it was anchored against wind uplift if that was a concern in the area. I don’t see how any screw into the end grain of the post, even if embedded into the concrete, would provide good anchoring. Screws into end grain are weak connections.
Originally Posted By: rcloyd This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Keith:
Deck posts sitting on a slab can be ok if:
1) The slab is very thick >12 inches
2) The columns are anchored to the slab (visibly)
Pressure preservatively treated wood labled for "Ground Contact" can be placed on a slab or in the ground with no worries. Look for the AWPA mark on the lumber. If is says Ground Contact, don't write this up.
I see two other things in your last photo that would concern me and should be in your report:
1) Roof downspouts terminate at the foundation (should be 5' away)
2) No roof/attic box vents on the right side of the roof. I would check for
other means of venting and report on as necessary.
Originally Posted By: tallen This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
Pressure preservative treated wood labeled for "Ground Contact" can be placed on a slab or in the ground with no worries. Look for the AWPA mark on the lumber. If is says Ground Contact, don't write this up
It should still be anchored though. Or am I wrong? again 
-- I have put the past behind me,
where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.
Originally Posted By: rcloyd This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Todd:
You are absolutely right!! They should be anchored. All columns should be anchored at the base to prevent lateral displacement. 
I just looked at the the last pic of the whole deck and with no support for those post I would say that is a safety problem.
Let me put on my monocle-------yes I still see them.