How to inspect a deck. Deck Inspections, Illustrated. Please proof this new article.

[Nick Gromicko]

www.nachi.org/deck-inspections.htm

[mnahrgang]

You should make that a course. The article is 35 pages long if you paste it into WORD.

[Nick Gromicko]

I know, I lost my head with it. Before I knew it I had written a book on the subject.

[Nick Gromicko]

Lisa Vega's graphics turned out really nice IMHO.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by gromicko

Lisa Vega's graphics turned out really nice IMHO.

Yes, kudos to her...they look very nice/professional.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

The text "Ledger boards should not be attached to brick veneer" is broken by an image.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

"Decks greater than 2 feet above grade should have diagonal bracing from posts to girder, and from posts to joists."

Greater than two feet high requires cross bracing?????

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Great article.

One recommendation: define the difference between a deck and a balcony.

[Nick Gromicko]

Good catch Joe, the 2 should be 12, fixed. Thanks.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by gromicko

I know, I lost my head with it. Before I knew it I had written a book on the subject.

Nick, loosing his head? Go figure

Don't forget the ledger board flashing.

Make a course about it. This knd of infor is long overdue.

Send the book to the Chicago Building Dept. They are clueless and people have died as a result.

Hope this helps;

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Great article.

One recommendation: define the difference between a deck and a balcony.

And, between a deck and a porch.

Chicago, you know.

Porches are provided for ingress and egress ONLY.

Decks are places that silly people meet to barbequeue and jimp up and down.

And kill themselves, sad to say.

[Bruce A. King]

Some areas allow posts to be 4x4's if less than 8 ft and the overall design is within reason. 6x6 is the best practice for sure.

Some areas require cross bracing when height exceeds 4 ft, others say 8 ft, others say 10 ft. 12 feet is wrong for sure.

The ledger bolts should be staggered vertically.

Ledger bolts should have nuts visible on other side, lag bolts are un-inspectable and not recommened.