This photo, and the topic, will get you thinking. I guarantee it. To get things going, setting the stage so to speak, please take a look at the high deck, balcony if you prefer -- top right side of the photo. It is way up there, where the air is thin.
If you were standing on that deck, I bet you would want to think that it was safe. Is that a reasonable assumption on my part, that you would want to think that a parachute is not in order? Usually, unless people have an obvious clue to the contrary, they assume that decks are safe.
This upper deck is of a cantilevered design. That means that joists, which are also a structural part of the home, extend out past the exterior wall and they support the deck. Sounds pretty solid and safe, right! Think again -- rain water gets on the joists and, over time, that causes rot or decay.
The photo above is one joist that is "supporting" that high deck. There were other joists holding it up, including the one behind this joist. Problem is that several of them are rotted too.
If this was a rarity, I would say so. I am afraid that it is not. It is a real worry and a huge safety concern. In my climate, around Bellingham and Whatcom County, I see this over and over again. When a deck is cantilevered it is not always easy to repair, especially if the joists end up rotted near the exterior wall. A fix might include having to go into the wall, or coming up with a totally different design.
Check your decks, or have a home inspector do it for you. The life you save might be your own.
In my party etiquette book, being the life of the party does not include spilling the guests into the yard 20 feet below.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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Steve
Normally I would high decks are safe, except when you have wood rot as you showed in your photos, not good or safe. That's why we have home inspectors.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
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wouldn't you just fall onto the lower deck if the upper one failed? who doesn't love a little deck hopping?
John, That could be. Then again, it would not be good to be on the lower deck if the upper one came down.
Lou, Rot is only one problem. Others include poor fasteners, no lag bolts or screws, poor positive connections, bad columns, bad footings. Any number of things to be done, or go, wrong.
Does a deck like that have a life exptancy factor in years? Let's assume minimal to no maintenance.
Ardell,
It just depends so much on exposure that it would be hard to predict. If in a dry place, big overhang, maybe it will last years and years. Get it in a real wet spot, that never drys, and you might see problems in houses less than ten years in age.
Yikes! I bet I look more closely at deck supports from now on! Wasn't there some tragic deck collapse several years ago that was in the news with lots of injuries/deaths? I can't remember the details, does anybody? It seems like there was a big party going on.
I guess there's nothing like a little preventative maintanence when you buy a house with a deck like that. Here in Baltimore we have a huge problem with roof top decks not being secure and also causing leaking.
And paint sure doesn't improve the situation any. Bad enough that it is not treated wood----add paint to it and help keep the moisture in the wood once it gets there:)
Gee Charlie, and you used to be a leading advocate for painting over rot.
I certainly would not want to be holding a party on that deck.
wow...That don't look too good. Just think if they had a party and everyone decided to go out on the deck......CRASH!!
Sean Allen
This is one I would have my new squirrely employee inspect for me.
Sean, Talk about party crashing. Seriously though, decks are so important to check, it is amazing the number that I find that have issues. Thanks for the post Steven...
Thanks for the comments Michael. You see much exterior rot in Nashville?