Decks, Porches and Deck Flashing Inspection

Decks and Deck FlashingDecks are one of the #1 problem areas found on the exterior of homes. They are commonly built by home owners without following any local building codes.  There are several different areas of a deck that should be checked; proper sizing for floor joist, supporting beam, ledger board, flashing, deck post, railings deck boards, floor joist hangers, floor joist cantilever.  Below we have given several different photos of common mistakes homeowners make when building a home.

The deck steps have setteled becausethey have not been supporten into theground properly.	This deck should not be cantileveredover the main support beam by over 2′.	These to vents should have coversinstalled over them.
This deck floor joist system was underbult going 24″ on cented vs 16″ oncenter.	Lag needed in the main supportingbeam.	Loose deck spindles.
Missing railings.	This ledger board is missing lagscrews for proper support.(safety hazard)	Missing railings on this deck and stairs
The is main supporting beam islag screws to properly hold the deckfor safety.	These deck spindles should be nomore than 3.5″ apart for safety.	These deck spindles should be nomore than 3.5″ apart for safety.
These deck stairs should have a thirdstringer installed for proper support.	Missing railings on these deck stairs.	These floor joist should have joisthangers under every one of them.

Porches and PatiosWe recommend checking for cracking, concrete or asphalt setteling and possible trip and falling safety hazards.  Make sure all areas are sloped away from the home so water can’t run back toward the house.

The front porch has setteled and moved the corner support post.	Metal front porch railings loose, theseare common to be found, most arerusted at the base and found in olderhomes.	Porch pillar post is rotted.
Porch pillar is rusted, this is commonto find in older homes.	This front porch pillar has bowed outdue to to much pressure and shouldbe replaced.	The siding has been caulked where itmeets the porch concrete, caulking isgenerally there for a reason.  Makesure you look close at the basementor crawl space area directly below thisarea for water stains or wood rot.
Concrete patio setteled back towardthe home	Dirt has washed out from under neaththe patio.	The front walkway has setteled, this isa trip and fall safety hazard.
Screened in porch corner pillar rotted.	The front porch has pulled away fro thehome.  This can be repaired by mudJacking. (not cheap)	Missing railings on this front porch andsteps.
Missing Railings.	Concrete patio was poured incorrectlywith a slope back toward the home.	The front porch is cracked.
This center of this front porch overhas dropped due to wood rot and willneed to be repaired.	Missing railing for the front porch.	Rotted ront porch pillar post.