Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Deck repair
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Stevetra
10-19-05, 07:39 AM
Greetings,
I am about to start a deck project and I do not know if it will be a repair, rebuild or replace just yet. Here is my situation.
I purchased a foreclosed house 3 years ago, and I have been renovating the interior, including removing mold and repairing termite damage in the basement. The house was built in 1975 and the structure of the house is sound, but the maintenance it received for I would estimate the last 10 years has been less than acceptable.
As a result I have to replace many items that should have lasted for years with the proper maintenance.
One item in dire need of attention is the back deck.
It measures 12X16, and I don’t think even if I tear the whole thing out I can build it to code, for several reasons.
As I read the code requirements for my area, there are a few things stated that are just not possible without removing walls in rooms in my basement.
The code requires that the exterior siding be removed and the deck plate be flashed with a material other that aluminum, aluminum flashing is not allowed on decks in my area. Then the Deck Plate is to be lag bolted with bolts nuts and washers to the house, well, to do that I would need access to the exterior wall from the basement, and there is already an existing room there.
My exterior siding is T1-11, and I do not see any other type of sheathing under it, so to remove it would leave my sill plate exposed to the elements, not to mention the chance of moisture entering through any joints or cracks.
Currently the deck plate or ledger board is nailed right to the side of the house, not the right way I know, but it has lasted for 30 years.
My only other option is to just try and repair what I have, without attracting too much attention.
I am hoping there are some options I haven’t considered, from the wealth of knowledge contained here in the forum…..any ideas?
I am about to start a deck project and I do not know if it will be a repair, rebuild or replace just yet. Here is my situation.
I purchased a foreclosed house 3 years ago, and I have been renovating the interior, including removing mold and repairing termite damage in the basement. The house was built in 1975 and the structure of the house is sound, but the maintenance it received for I would estimate the last 10 years has been less than acceptable.
As a result I have to replace many items that should have lasted for years with the proper maintenance.
One item in dire need of attention is the back deck.
It measures 12X16, and I don’t think even if I tear the whole thing out I can build it to code, for several reasons.
As I read the code requirements for my area, there are a few things stated that are just not possible without removing walls in rooms in my basement.
The code requires that the exterior siding be removed and the deck plate be flashed with a material other that aluminum, aluminum flashing is not allowed on decks in my area. Then the Deck Plate is to be lag bolted with bolts nuts and washers to the house, well, to do that I would need access to the exterior wall from the basement, and there is already an existing room there.
My exterior siding is T1-11, and I do not see any other type of sheathing under it, so to remove it would leave my sill plate exposed to the elements, not to mention the chance of moisture entering through any joints or cracks.
Currently the deck plate or ledger board is nailed right to the side of the house, not the right way I know, but it has lasted for 30 years.
My only other option is to just try and repair what I have, without attracting too much attention.
I am hoping there are some options I haven’t considered, from the wealth of knowledge contained here in the forum…..any ideas?
lefty
10-19-05, 04:30 PM
What you are reading in the codes applies ONLY if the deck is attached to the house. Make it freestanding, and NONE of that applies.
Stevetra
10-19-05, 04:41 PM
So I can set 4X4 posts on the outside and the house side and be done with it? SWEET.....
lefty
10-19-05, 06:15 PM
YIP!!
You just need to dig footings about 1' to no more than 2' away from the wall of the house, post up to the girder, and then cross-brace everything. Just watch your spans, and make sure that the footings are big enough. In NC, frost isn't going to be an issue, so 16" square and a foot deep SHOULD be all you need. (Check with your local bldg. dept. to be sure.) Set pier blocks in the set concrete, and maybe at the 2 ends you'll have to use sonotube to come up 8" and set a Simpson CB44 or similar column base.
You just need to dig footings about 1' to no more than 2' away from the wall of the house, post up to the girder, and then cross-brace everything. Just watch your spans, and make sure that the footings are big enough. In NC, frost isn't going to be an issue, so 16" square and a foot deep SHOULD be all you need. (Check with your local bldg. dept. to be sure.) Set pier blocks in the set concrete, and maybe at the 2 ends you'll have to use sonotube to come up 8" and set a Simpson CB44 or similar column base.