| Building his own deck is every
handyman’s dream. As such, it very likely carries the distinction of being one of the
most frequently improperly built structures around the home. I often find serious
defects like: decks improperly bolted to the house, unsafe stairways & railings,
missing flashing, over-spanning of floor joists, decks turned into 3 or 4 season porches
without upgrading the foundations (needed to carry the extra weight), use of
un-galvanized
nails or screws (so they don't rust through), use of untreated wood (so it doesn't rot),
etc. Some of the defects can actually make a deck unsafe for use. By trying to save a little money and building a deck or porch
themselves, some homeowners actually loose money when it has to be rebuilt properly. .
.not to mention the repairs that have to be made to the house itself when things such as
an omitted piece of flashing has allowed water to damage the house wall, etc. A
good rule to follow is, "If you aren't familiar with what you are doing, hire someone
who is." Also, don't forget that all decks, porches, etc. should be constructed
with a building permit, and the protection that the on-going inspection process provides. |
