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  1. #1

    Default Free Standing Deck

    Does a rather large deck added onto the back of an existing home need to be attached to the home or can it be freestanding? Decks got to have a ledger board fastened to the home right?

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    Last edited by Scott Latosky; 02-25-2008 at 07:47 PM.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    2,048

    Default Re: Deck Construction

    Danger Will Robinson Danger
    Defect that deck!
    A deck does not have to be attached to a house depending on variables. In this case it appears it should be.
    - Cross bracing is too high and narrow. No support for lower portion of legs to keep from kicking out or buckling under load.
    - Appears to be built on an incline. No visible means of retention to keep from swaying and falling down the incline under load
    - Are those 6x6 posts?
    - What size are the joists 2x10 or 12. Verify they may be overspanned.
    Looks like a handyman special.
    Don't be vague in your report about the potential hazards of this deck.
    A ledger board is called for, additional bracing recommended and depending on the inclinc footing reinforcement. By the way, what's up with the footings.
    Good luck, Markus

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  3. #3

    Default Re: Deck Construction

    Yeah Markus. Sometimes things you cant believe and/or understand. Wicked not be anchored to home. Thanks


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Osceola, AR
    Posts
    311

    Default Re: Deck Construction

    Hmmm, don't know of any requirement that the deck be attached to the structure. I have seen a number of decks that everyone would have been better served if they had not been attached to the structure. There is nothing wrong with a freestanding deck that is built correctly. That being said, this deck does have some issues, and I'm sure that if we could see more of the structure, we could find a lot more wrong. Just what is the spacing between those doubled up beams? How are the posts secured and what size are they? What size are the joists?


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Succasunna NJ
    Posts
    577

    Default Re: Deck Construction

    Scott,

    This should explain everything you need to know about decks....

    http://www.awc.org/Publications/DCA/DCA6/DCA6.pdf

    Darren

    New Jersey Home Inspection - About the House!


  6. #6

    Default Re: Deck Construction

    Thanks everyone for the feed back.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Deck Construction

    Scott,

    Go to page 14 of the link Darren provided - that is for "freestanding" decks.

    You will notice that the braces are at a 45 degree angle, the " 2' " dimension is not the critical dimension, you could brace it at 8' in both directions, still making that 45 degree angle. Of course, making to bracing too low could create 'head bangers'.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

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