DIY Decks | Don’t Be A Failure

Deck Failures

According to NADRA (North American Deck and Railing Association) there were 30 deaths between 2000 and 2006 from deck failures. It is also estimated that here are over 40,000 decks in need of replacement or repair in this country. With numbers like that I thought it was important to talk about some common mistakes that people make when constructing decks.

Common Deck Mistakes

Building decks has become a very popular DIY project for homeowners trying to save some money while sprucing up their backyards. Building safe decks doesn’t have to be all that difficult or complicated as long as you take the time to plan your project. Most deck failures can be avoided by simply following standard deck construction details.

Some of the more common deck construction mistakes that I see are:

• Insufficient Deck Ledger Connection – According to a recent report on deck failures, 90% of deck failures are due to poor deck ledger board connections. Simply nailing a deck ledger to the house is far from adequate yet it’s the most commonly found ledger connection that I see. Deck ledgers must be bolted or lagged to the house in order to develop sufficient structural capacity. Again I recommend seeking advice from a local building code official or your local lumber yard.
• Improper Foundations – Decks must be built on suitable foundations capable of supporting the load and accomodating environemental forces such as temperature, snow, ice and wind. It’s very important to install footings to the proper depth on structurally sound materials.
• Insufficient Railings & Stairs – This is probably one of the most common deck mistakes that I see. Railings must be structurally sound and geometrically acceptable according to local building codes. Stairs must meet building codes for width, rise and run requirements.
• Joist and Beam Capacity – Many decks have structural members that are undersized. It is extremely important to have properly sized joists and beams based on the proposed deck loading. If you’re not familiar with recommended framing member sizes then I recommend you seek some assistance from your local building supplier or  your local building code official.

Avoid Mistakes

The best way to avoid these mistakes is to do some research before you build your new deck. I recommend you buy a couple of good deck construction books. The books will help you learn the terminology and correct construction methods. I recommend the following two books:

• Building a Deck (Build Like A Pro)
• Decks 1-2-3

I also recommend you visit the NADRA website for deck ideas and information about qualified contractors in your area. I also highly recommend you pull the proper building permits and ask for guidance from you local building code officials. Just remember that decks can be quite dangerous if they are not constructed properly.