Are you dreaming of a fabulous new deck but feeling a little intimidated about taking on the project yourself? Well, don't worry because we’re here to guide you every step of the way! In this article, we'll cover the top 5 mistakes that homeowners make when building a deck. By steering clear of these common pitfalls, you are on your way to building a deck that can stand the test of time!
At KP Contracting, we believe in empowering our customers with the information necessary to make informed decisions about what is best for them and their families. That's why we're excited to share these five common mistakes homeowners make when building a deck. By avoiding these slip-ups, you'll be well on your way to decking out your outdoor oasis!
5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make
- Building without Permits and Approvals
- Lack of Knowledge of Building Codes
- Improper Foundations
- Improper Attachment to the Home
- Using the Wrong Materials
Mistake #1: Building without Permits and Approvals
The first and most important step of any home improvement project is getting the proper permits and, if applicable, HOA approvals. This mistake is made more times than you would believe.
To share a sad but otherwise perfect illustration, at the time of this writing, we are tearing down a beautiful deck as well as a masonry entryway that another contractor built for one of our clients because they were built without permits, and the county is requiring them to be torn down. Nearly every jurisdiction requires a building permit before constructing a deck. Don’t let a misinformed neighbor or an inexperienced contractor talk you into building a deck without a permit.
Another important thing to consider is checking with your Homeowners Association (HOA) to make sure your deck meets their guidelines, and that you have their approval in writing. You don't want to pour all your time, money, and energy into a project that doesn't pass muster with the HOA. They, too, have the authority to force a homeowner to remove unapproved projects.
Mistake #2: Lack of Knowledge of Building Codes
When it comes to building a deck, it's crucial to be knowledgeable of the codes and regulations in your area. Building codes can vary from state to state and from county to county. While nearly all jurisdictions use the International Building Codes (IBC) as the basis of their building code, each County makes additions and deletions to the IBC as the local authorities see fit.
Most counties have a publication that extracts the pertinent codes specific to building a deck in your jurisdiction. These can be extremely helpful as they list and highlight the most important codes specific to your jurisdiction. If you are not able to find it on the county permit website, call the county’s permit office, and they will be able to provide you with that information.
While becoming familiar with the local building codes and regulations might not be the most fun or glamorous part of building a deck, it’s clearly essential. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. These codes are in place to keep you and your loved ones safe and to ensure that your deck is built to last.
Mistake #3: Improper Foundations
I know it can be exciting to think about all the fun activities you'll enjoy on your deck, but it's important to start with a strong foundation to avoid potentially catastrophic failures down the line. The last thing you want is for your deck to have to be torn down and rebuilt because it was built on improper foundation footing.
Deck concrete footings must have the proper width, thickness, and depth. The IBC requires deck footings to be a minimum of 16” x 16” square or 18” round. The concrete must be a minimum of 8” thick, and the bottom of the concrete must be below the local frost line.
The most common foundation mistake is to ignore the need for the footing to be below the frost line. The frost line is a depth defined by your local jurisdiction as the maximum depth that the ground will freeze during the winter season.
Footings that are above the frost line are subject to what is called ground heaving. The expansion of the ground under the footing during a hard freeze will lift and damage the footings. Over time, ground heaving will compromise the footings and cause them to fail.
Remember, starting with a strong foundation is the key to enjoying your deck for years to come, and your safety is always our top priority!
Mistake #4: Inadequate Attachment to the Home
When building a deck, properly attaching a ledger board to the home structure is a very important step. However, there are several other areas where mistakes are often made that can seriously damage the home structure and put people at risk for injury.
Rot due to poor flashing. Moisture getting behind the ledger board can and will cause rot to the house wood structure unless flashing is properly installed. A layer of vinyl flashing should be installed behind the ledger board and up behind the siding at least six inches. The flashing should be counter-flashed and taped, as shown in the diagram. This prevents any water from reaching the home’s wooden structure. Always ensure whether you or your contractor is installing the proper flashing.
Inadequate Lateral Bracing. Most decks depend on the attachment to the house to prevent the deck from swaying side to side. Many others depend on the house to support one end of the deck. 90% of deck collapses yearly are due to the deck pulling away from the house due to lateral forces. (Lateral forces are the sideways or horizontal forces on the deck during high winds or when a group of people has synchronous movements - i.e., dancing - that pull the deck away from the house.)
Modern building codes have very specific attachment methods that require the use of lag screws, lateral ties, and Y-bracing, of which most homeowners are not knowledgeable. Before building a deck, investigate the specific lateral support and attachment requirements for your application.
By following best practices, homeowners can ensure that the ledger board is attached properly and the deck is safe and sturdy for years to come.
Mistake #5: Using the Wrong Materials
When selecting the framing lumber for your deck, be sure only to use lumber that is rated for “Ground Contact”. Most chain retail supply stores and budget lumber houses only supply an inferior grade of pressure-treated lumber. Insist on framing lumber that is rated for Ground Contact and it will extend the life of your deck by many years.
Pressure-treated lumber without the ground contact certification is much cheaper and is used in the majority of decks today. It makes no sense at all to build a deck using a 30+ year warranty decking and then support it with a product that will not last nearly as long.
It is also a common mistake to use stainless fasteners where a galvanized fastener with high sheer strength is required. Stainless steel screws are great for applications like attaching deck boards, but applications such as joist hangers require a fastener that is designed with high shear strength. The consequence of using the wrong joist attachment hardware could be catastrophic.
Be certain to check with a specialist to ensure you are using the right nails and fasteners when working with pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated lumber uses various metals in the treatment process that will cause the fasteners to corrode and dissolve over time. Be sure your hardware is labeled to be ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) compatible.
What's Next?
Do your research so you can avoid these common mistakes, and you will be well on your way to enjoying a whole new world of outdoor living! A beautiful and well-built deck is a great investment for your home that will become the favorite gathering place of friends and family for years to come.
If you are planning to build a deck in the near future and want a professional involved after all, look no further than KP Contracting and our knowledgeable and helpful consultants. We specialize in all aspects of outdoor living and would be happy to provide you with some outdoor living solutions tailored to your specific preferences and requirements. Don't hesitate. Just give us a call today!