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  #1  
Old 11/13/07, 8:01 PM
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Default Today's deathtrap

Notice the posts farthest from the house (4x4s). The 2 posts closest to the house were 2x4s, not anchored to the house and just sitting on top of the ground. You could actually swing them around, so the deck was holding the post up.

I didn't walk on that deck, but the pest control guy did--he got on it from inside the house without looking at it carefully outside first. Could have been a big mistake (he's a hefty guy).

todays-deathtrap-111207-009-small-.jpg.jpg
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ID:	16023



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  #2  
Old 11/13/07, 8:53 PM
Larry D. Kage Larry D. Kage is offline
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfunderburk
Notice the posts farthest from the house (4x4s). The 2 posts closest to the house were 2x4s, not anchored to the house and just sitting on top of the ground. You could actually swing them around, so the deck was holding the post up.

I didn't walk on that deck, but the pest control guy did--he got on it from inside the house without looking at it carefully outside first. Could have been a big mistake (he's a hefty guy).

Attachment 16023
You're so tough on the homes, Joe. Those are cowboy posts. They get that way from ridin' horses. Oh I get it, you have something against cowboys.



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  #3  
Old 11/13/07, 8:55 PM
rwand1 rwand1 is offline
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Definetly an accident waiting to happen!
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  #4  
Old 11/13/07, 8:55 PM
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

That scares me and I'm not scared of anything!!



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  #5  
Old 11/13/07, 9:47 PM
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

That is completely unreal, and would never think anyone would be feebleminded as this.

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  #6  
Old 11/13/07, 9:57 PM
Brian A. MacNeish Brian A. MacNeish is offline
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfunderburk
Notice the posts farthest from the house (4x4s). The 2 posts closest to the house were 2x4s, not anchored to the house and just sitting on top of the ground. You could actually swing them around, so the deck was holding the post up.

I didn't walk on that deck, but the pest control guy did--he got on it from inside the house without looking at it carefully outside first. Could have been a big mistake (he's a hefty guy).

Attachment 16023
YIKES!!! Must quote again: "Common sense ain't all that common, is it?"
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  #7  
Old 11/13/07, 10:20 PM
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

I forgot to mention the service entrance. See it beside the steps? You can reach out and touch it with ease. Me thinks it was built without a permit.



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  #8  
Old 11/13/07, 11:41 PM
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Your deck support posts rank right up there with the electric issue I saw yesterday.

There were two j-boxes wired on the exterior of home, so the window units could be plugged in (I know, only little city, America). After Seller had the electricity turned off, he went back and removed the two outlet receptacles from the j-boxes on the outside.

To make a long scare short, in one box he left the 3 conductors sticking out in mid air - so they wouldn't touch. No cap, no tape,,,, and the breaker was on.

The other box he clipped the conductor and shoved it back inside the metal j-box, breaker on here, too.

Makes a person realize not everyone has common sense.
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  #9  
Old 11/14/07, 12:03 AM
Michael D. Thomas Michael D. Thomas is offline
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Joe,

Did the owners look like this?
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  #10  
Old 11/14/07, 1:33 AM
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

If you kick the bottom of that right post REAL HARD, will it move?




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  #11  
Old 11/14/07, 8:51 AM
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Quote:
Originally Posted by kshepard
If you kick the bottom of that right post REAL HARD, will it move?
If it did there may be no stopping it

This is definitely a situation to leave it as "visual non-invasive" and refer on to the repair person(s).

I know you were joking, weren't you?



Joe,

May I add this to my CRAP photo page?



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  #12  
Old 11/14/07, 10:48 AM
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Quote:
Originally Posted by badair
Joe,

May I add this to my CRAP photo page?
Feel free. Here's a pic of the service entrance.

todays-deathtrap-111207-036-small-.jpg.jpg
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ID:	16051



Joe Funderburk, CMI
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  #13  
Old 11/15/07, 6:46 AM
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfunderburk
Feel free. Here's a pic of the service entrance.

Attachment 16051
THANX!

Looks like one of those combination multi-use easy access clotheslines.

This rates up there for a Double, maybe Triple Darwin Award



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  #14  
Old 11/15/07, 6:54 AM
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfunderburk
Feel free. Here's a pic of the service entrance.

Attachment 16051
Awesome looking suppoprt post. That's why I like to see cross members attached to long posts.

By looking at the SE cable, this deck was built after the fact. How the hell did the permit get issued on this if there was one at all.
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  #15  
Old 11/15/07, 7:09 AM
Brian A. MacNeish Brian A. MacNeish is offline
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Default Re: Today's deathtrap

Quote:
Originally Posted by dvalley
Awesome looking suppoprt post. That's why I like to see cross members attached to long posts.

By looking at the SE cable, this deck was built after the fact. How the hell did the permit get issued on this if there was one at all.
Not a problem down south but those concrete support blocks for posts are banned here now unless the deck/patio is less than 2' high and not attched to the house. All others must be built on concrete piers or preservative treated posts with the base at least 4' in the ground.
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