D I Why?

In my last blog I spoke about the DIY trend and the sometimes bad results of unskilled homeowners undertaking home renovation projects. On a recent home inspection I found the continuation of this bad trend.

The home pictured is a raised ranch style home. The main level over hangs the lower level which can be seen in the photo. Notice the deck to the right.

Moving in closer you can see how the deck has been attached to the house under the overhang. This is a unique method of attachment, but when looking over the deck the logic was understandable. Maybe not correct, but understandable.

A deck is attached to the house by what is commonly known as a ledger board. This is simply a wide piece of framing lumber such as a 2 x 10. Two details are important in installing the ledger;

1. The board should be fastened to the house with bolts and
2. Flashing should be installed behind and above the board.

This ledger is missing both of these components, but...The flashing in this instance belongs in a different location.

Unfortunately the DIY installer originally never installed any flashing. You can see the results of this omission in the last photo. Water damage and rot to the plywood covering of the overhang. Notice the "new" flashing at the top of the photo.

Even adding this flashing has not likely stopped but slowed the water penetration and damage. In attaching the deck to the house under the overhang the installer has created a path for the water. Water falling on the deck at some point will tend to gravitate under the flashing along the framing and find its way into the plywood.

Like I said a unique method of installation.

My advice; when installing a common structure like a deck, don't go against conventional methods of construction. You might just end up all wet.

James Quarello
SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

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