Nailing of deck boards to joists.

[pabrioux]

These boards are all nailed within the last inch to half inch of the board. Would there have been a better way to do this? Looks like many of them split.

Thanks again,

Paul-Marc

[Carla Horne]

yeah, they should be pre-drilled at the butt ends.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Screwed, not nailed. Hopefully there are more serious things to worry about. I wouldn't say anything. (When 2 boards meet at the same joist, there isn't much room in which to place a fastener.)

[John Harrison]

If you blunt the point of a nail it will not split the wood as it did in this case.
Screws would have been a better chioce of fastener, they also are less prone to back out creating loose boards.
There are fasteners that allow you to secure the deck boards from underneath then you won't even see the heads.

[mnicholet]

Pre-drilled joints would be best practice. How was it performing and what are the implications? How high is the deck from grading? Is it pressure treated wood with an ACQ deck board screws?

I would probably describe it with a pic in my report in particular if it does not feel like it is performing well.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

As has already been said, those are square drive screws and not nails, but would like to mention that unless the screw is designed for this purpose, pre-drilling is the only option.
http://www.dealerslumber.com/grk.html
There is a screw that I have used many times and does not split the wood whatsoever in this example and it is this one.
Excellent.




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The decking in the pictures looks like a Wolmanized Product but not sure.
Hope this helps.

[pabrioux]

Thanks everyone. Your comments are much appreciated! The deck was in good condition. Screws indeed. Pre-drilling would have been the better approach it seems... It is a new deck, performing well at the moment.

Thanks again!

Paul-Marc

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by jharrison

If you blunt the point of a nail it will not split the wood as it did in this case.
Screws would have been a better chioce of fastener, they also are less prone to back out creating loose boards.
There are fasteners that allow you to secure the deck boards from underneath then you won't even see the heads.

Those are square drive screws, which are toward the expensive side and good for this application. When you bid a deck, you're often bidding against other contractors who don't put money for pre-drilling into their bids, since not pre-drilling and living with the resulting splitting is very common.

So... you can bid higher and risk losing the job, or you can pre-drill for free, or you can get the job, sink the screws and not worry about it. It's not a perfect world...

[Michael Roberson]

I have installed many wood decks with "T" clips, where no screws are visible from the top. The first board installed gets screwed from both sides, and the next has a "T" clip nailed to it, which slides under the first board, and screws down from the side, on the other end. This allows the deck board to dry and contract without splitting, because it is screwed down only on one side, but it is securely fastened to the joist. Many boards will shrink as much as a half an inch, and this method allows the boards to increase the gap between them, rather than split up the middle. This is a great method for hot tub decks, where you will definitely be walking around in your bare feet. But as Kenton stated, many people are bidding, and this is a more expensive alternative.

[Jeffery L. Haynes]

Guys, even when pre-drilling this can still occur......much of it has to do with the moisture content, especially dealing with pressure treated lumber.
PT lumber is a pain to deal with......if its not splitting, its twisting or warping.......if a person doesn't like the results then I suggest a composite material (mold issues with some composites) or do a concrete patio / porch next time.

One also has to consider that you have about 3/4 of an inch at butt ends....not much to work with.

As far as I am concerned, its cosmetic......

Jeff

[Joe Farsetta]

Guys...

Joe F said it best.

Is this what our profession has turned to? So long as the materials were still aligned and the deck constructed of PT lumber, then who really cares.

Will we start to document dimples in the wallboard next?

Sure, as a point of discussion this is useful. Fasteners always makes for fascinating discussion points.

But pointing out this degree of normalcy in a 10 year old deck or WHATEVER is overkill. Maybe we should be concentrating on WHAT REALLY MATTERS, or have we forgotten what that is about.

Sorry to be critical, folks, but you've got to be kidding me...

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by pabrioux

Thanks everyone. Your comments are much appreciated! The deck was in good condition. Screws indeed. Pre-drilling would have been the better approach it seems... It is a new deck, performing well at the moment.

Thanks again!

Paul-Marc

For a new deck I believe it is a flaw in installation and this area should be monitored.

Thanks to all for the info provided.

[jbettencourt]

I have to agree with Joe, I likely would not have mentioned this at all.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by jbettencourt

I likely would not have mentioned this at all.

Neither would I...

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I would not have called it out either, but at least I know what caused it and some might be interested in knowing also.
There is no harm in having these discussions.
That is how we all learn, from the causes and standard installation procedures, then on the speak softly side of the inspection, one is able to explain to clients what the causes are and not necessarily have to find it's way into the reports.
Some clients are apt to question you on things of that nature.
Be prepared to answer intelligently.

Not a defect in my book but a poor installation like all other things we see from various inspectors that share their photos.