The father-in-law wants to redo his deck. The original builder did not
attach the deck to the house for fear that warping or "ground sinkage" would
just pull it away. The house was built over 30 years ago so I don't think
the earth is going to move much more than it has already but I could be
wrong. I've seen plenty of deck attached. Some say do it, others say no
way. What is the general concensus here? Any tips on how it should be
done?
Quick little tip. Pour Borax around the post. It has some termiticide
properties but it will also keep the weeds down. Get some 20 Mule Team
at grocery store. It will leach out of wood but it does have some
fireproofing properties to it along with insectcide and herbicide.
On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 16:23:20 GMT, [email protected] (Renata)
wrote:
>I don't think termite's 'll touch the PT stuff.
>
>REnata
>
>On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 03:52:19 -0400, Silvan
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>HomerJ wrote:
>>
>>> off the ground. My father-in-law seems to want it done that way though.
>>> I'm trying to get as much info. as I can to back my "let's not attach it"
>>> argument...
>>
>>How 'bout just one? Already mentioned, but I'll say it again: TERMITES!
>>
>>Especially "inches off the ground" I would be very afraid. You can take
>>steps to try to prevent harm, but I've seen a lot of rotten,
>>termite-riddled wood where decks have been attached. If I ever build one,
>>I don't care what the building code says, I'm not attaching it to my house.
>>
>>--
>>Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
>>Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
>>Confirmed post number: 17189 Approximate word count: 515670
>>http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
>>
On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 14:38:19 -0500, "HomerJ" <[email protected]> wrote:
>The father-in-law wants to redo his deck. The original builder did not
>attach the deck to the house for fear that warping or "ground sinkage" would
>just pull it away. The house was built over 30 years ago so I don't think
>the earth is going to move much more than it has already but I could be
>wrong. I've seen plenty of deck attached. Some say do it, others say no
>way. What is the general concensus here? Any tips on how it should be
>done?
>
Oh, good. The attach or not attach thread. It pops up from
time to time.
In the muddy Pacific Nortwest, where I've built most of my
decks, you almost always attach it to the house because the ground is
unstable. It could move away from the house.
In the cold midwest, if you attach it to the house, it may
tear up in the winter because of the way the ground freezes.
Other factors come into play also.
If you don't attach it to the house, you must cross-brace it.
Otherwise you will have a structure that is unstable. Walking on it
will be like walking on a table.
Your best source for information is your local building
department. This is a good example of why building codes vary from
one place to another.
Good luck.
Peter
Check your local building code. Around here (PG County MD) they want
an engineer's stamp if you're structurally attaching the deck to the
house (in lieu of using another set of posts and beam). See, a few
years ago they had a rash of decks falling (with people on them) due
to improper attachement to the house, mainly due to nailing the ledger
board vs lagging it to a proper structural member. One "builder" went
so far as to use lags so it would pass visual inspection, but after
the deck collapsed it was noticed that the lags went into a second
"ledger" that was nailed to the house. The nails pulled out and whump
went the deck.
Renata
On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 14:38:19 -0500, "HomerJ" <[email protected]> wrote:
>The father-in-law wants to redo his deck. The original builder did not
>attach the deck to the house for fear that warping or "ground sinkage" would
>just pull it away. The house was built over 30 years ago so I don't think
>the earth is going to move much more than it has already but I could be
>wrong. I've seen plenty of deck attached. Some say do it, others say no
>way. What is the general concensus here? Any tips on how it should be
>done?
>
>
I don't think termite's 'll touch the PT stuff.
REnata
On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 03:52:19 -0400, Silvan
<[email protected]> wrote:
>HomerJ wrote:
>
>> off the ground. My father-in-law seems to want it done that way though.
>> I'm trying to get as much info. as I can to back my "let's not attach it"
>> argument...
>
>How 'bout just one? Already mentioned, but I'll say it again: TERMITES!
>
>Especially "inches off the ground" I would be very afraid. You can take
>steps to try to prevent harm, but I've seen a lot of rotten,
>termite-riddled wood where decks have been attached. If I ever build one,
>I don't care what the building code says, I'm not attaching it to my house.
>
>--
>Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
>Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
>Confirmed post number: 17189 Approximate word count: 515670
>http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
>
I have a solid brick and block wall house. That is, brick and 4"
concrete blocks interlocked, from foundation to roof peaks.
Apparently thoses suckers were determined 'cause at one time they got
inside and muched away a 3' x 4' section of the oak flooring (left a
nice veneer section on top and hollow underneath). Fortunately it was
the flooring and not the joists. Haven't had them recently, knock on,
ahem, wood.
There are terminte shields that one places on top of the foundation
wall so they don't meander up that to the nice and tasty 2x walls.
Don't know how effective they are.
Renata
On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 20:46:50 GMT, Larry Jaques <jake@di\/ersify.com>
wrote:
>On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 10:46:48 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
>pixelated:
>
>>How about a brace (or four) made of metal? It would give structural
>>soundness, but not provide the same termite path.
>
>Facts: Termites fly, so that path idea is not valid.
>The last bug sprayer I talked with said that he'd seen
>termites in 2nd floor homes with solid concrete block
>first floors. If there's wet wood to be found, a termite
>will find it.
>
>
>-
> Press HERE to arm. (Release to detonate.)
> -----------
>http://diversify.com Website Application Programming
On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 10:46:48 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
pixelated:
>How about a brace (or four) made of metal? It would give structural
>soundness, but not provide the same termite path.
Facts: Termites fly, so that path idea is not valid.
The last bug sprayer I talked with said that he'd seen
termites in 2nd floor homes with solid concrete block
first floors. If there's wet wood to be found, a termite
will find it.
-
Press HERE to arm. (Release to detonate.)
-----------
http://diversify.com Website Application Programming
"HomerJ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The father-in-law wants to redo his deck. The original builder did not
> attach the deck to the house for fear that warping or "ground sinkage"
would
> just pull it away. The house was built over 30 years ago so I don't think
> the earth is going to move much more than it has already but I could be
> wrong. I've seen plenty of deck attached. Some say do it, others say no
> way. What is the general concensus here? Any tips on how it should be
> done?
>
Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll defintely be contacting the local
building dept. The location is midwest (Chicago suburb). The current deck
has proper footings - whether or not they are to code I could not say. I
actually see no reason to attach this deck to the house as it is only inches
off the ground. My father-in-law seems to want it done that way though.
I'm trying to get as much info. as I can to back my "let's not attach it"
argument...
If your deck is elevated, attaching it to the house will save
considerably on the cross bracing needed for the foundation
posts & beams. Attaching the deck to the house and running
the deck boards diagonally to the joists will make for one
incredibly rigid structure.
Art
"HomerJ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The father-in-law wants to redo his deck. The original builder did not
> attach the deck to the house for fear that warping or "ground sinkage"
would
> just pull it away. The house was built over 30 years ago so I don't think
> the earth is going to move much more than it has already but I could be
> wrong. I've seen plenty of deck attached. Some say do it, others say no
> way. What is the general concensus here? Any tips on how it should be
> done?
>
>
Something to consider, if you build it attached to the house, you are
setting your self up for termites and rot as this will be an area that
collects moisture and stays damp.
"HomerJ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The father-in-law wants to redo his deck. The original builder did not
> attach the deck to the house for fear that warping or "ground sinkage"
would
> just pull it away. The house was built over 30 years ago so I don't think
> the earth is going to move much more than it has already but I could be
> wrong. I've seen plenty of deck attached. Some say do it, others say no
> way. What is the general concensus here? Any tips on how it should be
> done?
>
>
On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 10:46:48 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
pixelated:
>
>"Silvan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> termite-riddled wood where decks have been attached. If I ever build one,
>> I don't care what the building code says, I'm not attaching it to my
>house.
>>
>How about a brace (or four) made of metal? It would give structural
>soundness, but not provide the same termite path.
I was talking with a termite guy at the last Faire here in
town earlier year. He showed me pictures where the termites
trekked 8' up a solid concrete wall to get to wet wood, so
don't think a couple inches of space will keep them away
from your houses. If the wood is wet, they'll find it. If
the wood is dry, they usually won't eat it. Proper flashing
will keep your wood dry and much safer from rot and termites.
-
Press HERE to arm. (Release to detonate.)
-----------
http://diversify.com Website Application Programming
Something tells me you might want to check on your house insurance and
tax people. In some states, anything attached to a house is considered
in the footage of the house.
On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 15:51:42 -0500, "Ruster" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I don't know what the laws are around where you live. But here, if the deck
>is free standing then you do not need a building permit. If it is attached
>to the house then you do need a building permit.
>
>
HomerJ wrote:
> off the ground. My father-in-law seems to want it done that way though.
> I'm trying to get as much info. as I can to back my "let's not attach it"
> argument...
How 'bout just one? Already mentioned, but I'll say it again: TERMITES!
Especially "inches off the ground" I would be very afraid. You can take
steps to try to prevent harm, but I've seen a lot of rotten,
termite-riddled wood where decks have been attached. If I ever build one,
I don't care what the building code says, I'm not attaching it to my house.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 17189 Approximate word count: 515670
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
On Mon, 18 Aug 2003 12:15:25 GMT, [email protected] (Renata)
pixelated:
>There are terminte shields that one places on top of the foundation
>wall so they don't meander up that to the nice and tasty 2x walls.
>Don't know how effective they are.
About as much as bird-proof squirrel feeders.
(Or was that the other way around. I forgot.)
---------------------------------------------------
I drive way too fast to worry about my cholesterol.
---------------------------------------------------
http://www.diversify.com Refreshing Graphic Design
"Silvan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> termite-riddled wood where decks have been attached. If I ever build one,
> I don't care what the building code says, I'm not attaching it to my
house.
>
> --
How about a brace (or four) made of metal? It would give structural
soundness, but not provide the same termite path.
Ed
I live in Oregon. I have seen more rot damage where decks attach to a
house than every other place on a house combined. If you do attach
the deck to the house make sure you use proper flashing going up and
under the siding and plenty of caulk!
On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 23:04:43 GMT, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Something to consider, if you build it attached to the house, you are
>setting your self up for termites and rot as this will be an area that
>collects moisture and stays damp.
>
>
>"HomerJ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> The father-in-law wants to redo his deck. The original builder did not
>> attach the deck to the house for fear that warping or "ground sinkage"
>would
>> just pull it away. The house was built over 30 years ago so I don't think
>> the earth is going to move much more than it has already but I could be
>> wrong. I've seen plenty of deck attached. Some say do it, others say no
>> way. What is the general concensus here? Any tips on how it should be
>> done?
>>
>>
>
On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 14:38:19 -0500, "HomerJ" <[email protected]> wrote:
>The father-in-law wants to redo his deck. The original builder did not
>attach the deck to the house for fear that warping or "ground sinkage" would
>just pull it away. The house was built over 30 years ago so I don't think
>the earth is going to move much more than it has already but I could be
>wrong. I've seen plenty of deck attached. Some say do it, others say no
>way. What is the general concensus here? Any tips on how it should be
>done?
>
More of an alt.home.repair issue, yet ... Where in the world are you
building this? How high is the deck off the ground? Does the ground
freeze? Does/will the deck have concrete footings that meet code -- as
well as making sense -- meaning below the frost line? Does the house have
a proper foundation? Depending on the answers to these questions, it
generally makes sense to attach a deck to the house, IMO. But if, for
example, the deck is only 15" off the ground, there might be no need to
attach. One benefit of attaching is, if one is using proper fittings, that
you can skip pouring footings at the house side of the deck -- the house's
foundation serves that purpose. Now, if you do not plan proper footings,
do not attach.
I do understand that decks can be built w/o full footings, but in limited
circumstances. And, BTW, you are wrong about the ground moving. Not so
much up and down necessarily, but when it gets wet and then freezes, it
generates forces that can pop posts out of the ground. HTH.
In article <[email protected]>,
HomerJ <[email protected]> wrote:
>The father-in-law wants to redo his deck. The original builder did not
>attach the deck to the house for fear that warping or "ground sinkage" would
>just pull it away. The house was built over 30 years ago so I don't think
>the earth is going to move much more than it has already but I could be
>wrong. I've seen plenty of deck attached. Some say do it, others say no
>way. What is the general concensus here? Any tips on how it should be
>done?
>
>
You *either* attach it to the house, and make sure that it 'floats' on
the pillars/pilings supporting it, *OR* you tie it to the pillars, and
not to the house.
The foundation of the house, and the pillars supporting the house _will_
move in relation to each other. 'frost heave', or "whatever". Just
allow for it.