Deck Inspections for Homeowners

Structure Talk

In this podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss their allergy experiences and the necessity of maintaining healthy indoor air quality. They move on to the major topic of deck safety, emphasizing the importance of correct attachment to the house as the leading cause of deck collapse. They refer to the standards and guidelines in the building code and the Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide. They emphasize the need to adhere to these recommendations to maintain deck safety. Reuben mentions that brick veneer is an exception, since a special fastener known as the Simpson Strong-Tie can install a deck through the brick veneer.
Please check the links below for the following topics:
How to inspect your own deck:
https://structuretech.com/minnesota-deck-inspections/
Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide (DCA-6):
https://structuretech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DCA-6-Deck-Book-2015-IRC.pdf
Decks attached through brick veneer:
https://structuretech.com/decks-attached-through-brick-veneer/
Takeaways
Maintaining good air quality in the home is important for allergy sufferers.
Proper attachment to the house is crucial for deck safety.
The building code and the Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide provide guidelines for deck construction.
Different methods of attaching a deck ledger board to the house include lag screws, through bolts, and specialized fasteners.
Following these guidelines is essential to ensure deck safety. Proper attachment of a deck ledger board to a house is crucial for deck stability and safety.
Different attachment methods include using lumber or engineered floor trusses to attach the ledger board to the rim joist or band joist of the house.
Siding and wall coverings need to be removed before attaching the ledger board, except in the case of brick veneer where a special fastener called the Simpson Strong Tie can be used.
Flashing over the ledger board is essential to prevent water intrusion and potential damage to the house.
Lateral load connectors are required to ensure a secure connection between the deck and the house.
Frost heave can be a problem in colder climates, and alternative footing options such as helical piers or diamond piers can be used to mitigate this issue. Proper construction techniques and adherence to building codes are crucial for deck safety.
Deck footings should be properly designed and installed to prevent settling and movement.
Ledger board attachment is a critical area that should be carefully inspected to ensure stability.
Deck posts should be securely attached to footings and properly supported to prevent movement.
Joist hangers should be the correct size and properly installed with the appropriate nails.
Rot is a common issue on decks, especially on the end grain of wood and where cuts have been made.
Guardrails should be strong and able to resist 200 pounds of pressure along the top rail.
Deck lifespan can vary depending on the materials used, with the bones of the deck lasting 30-40 years and deck boards lasting around 15-20 years.
Deck replacement can be a significant expense, and homeowners should budget accordingly.
Composite materials are becoming more popular for decks due to their longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements.
Chapters
07:48 Requirements for Building a Deck
26:06 Exception for Brick Veneer
35:24 Considerations for Different Situations
48:08 Deck Footings and Ledger Board Attachment
58:27 Guardrails: Strength and Pressure Resistance