I notice quite often on this site videos on building decks and whatnot with an eastern bias. This isn’t a east vs west thing, but many viewers from west coast may see a video and go gee, I can do that, not realizing that code is different across Canada and the US.
One of my specific concerns is footings, or lack thereof when building decks. Using plastic bags as a spread footing at bottom of sono tube doesn’t cut it (24″ square/round, 12″ thick with rebar is typical west coast). Neither does having concrete column terminate inches above ground (6″ min). Column needs rebar for shear. Now, all of this may seem overkill, and realistically, back east it would be, but out west, there are seismic considerations. Even the saddles used in videos are suspect, and the ledger connection to house etc.
I firmly believe a HO should be able to build whatever they please on their property, but FHB should note on vids varying code requirements across country. More importantly, videos should show best practices, not bare min codes. There should be explanations about why rebar is important, why ledgers should be bolted not lagged, why ledgers should have drainage plane and be flashed, why railings must be able to bear a 200pd point load etc.
Not looking to rain on a parade…just saw recent vid sent to me on deck building from FHB, and thought I’d chime in. jmho.
cheers.
Replies
The video shows general good practices
I agree that there are basic requiremental differences by region, but this video series is just a base line run for a simple solid near grade level deck where extra connector concerns may not be required. The video's ledger board does not follow newer IRC requirements but it is still a good minimum since the use of structural screws are well accounted for. Structural screws should not be short changed, they are a "relatively" newer fastener system but they have fantastic shear strength and the known holding power screws provide...provided they are sized for the relative deck application.
As for the video series, the details of layered flashing and sealing opened cuts are worth their weight in gold since very few so called professional deck builders follow these practices. In the past, many high end deck builders would use ice&water shield as a wrap for critical areas where rot could be a concern and as a general drainage medium to keep the structural timber dry. The bottom line, however, is that codes are increasing the relative costs for wooded decks to the point that the average homeowner cannot afford to have one built. It looks like this video series is just re-enforcing solid detail practices that go a long way to preventing premature fails at key points of a deck. Mike G is a well known carpenter that focuses on the technics and preventative details to projects that many others ignor.
I live inChicago