Improper Deck Installation affects Entire Home! (Norristown Home Inspector)

improper deck install

 

As a home inspector in Norristown, PA, I come across some poor workmanship in my home inspections. 


Last week, I performed a home inspection in Norristown for a real estate investor and found a rather bad case of an improper deck installation. 


Some people might think, "OK, at worst, you tear it out and properly install a new one."  In this particular case, you'll see improper deck installation affects more than just the deck... it affects the entire home!


At first glance, this deck might look like any other.  A home inspector sees more.  I crawled under the deck to take a closer look and I could see the deck ledger board was not properly flashed.  Actually, it wasn't flashed at all!  As a result, moisture had gotten behind the ledger board over the years and rotted it. 

 

These 3 pictures show some of the rotted ledger board that did not have flashing.

deck ledger boardimproper deckimproper deck install


rotted sill

 

Once inside the home, you could see this damage caused by an improper deck installation had affected the structure of the home itself. 

 

Not only did the moisture rot the deck's ledger board, but it made its way into the home and also rotted the sill and the framing above, which is part of the home structure.


That's not good!

 

From the 2 pictures below, you can see the back wall of the home is actually sinking.  You can see the trim doesn't match up anymore and there's a big gap between the top of the wall (that is sinking) and the ceiling it was once attached to.

sinking wallsinking wall

My client was hoping to rehab this bank-owned property quickly and inexpensively.  However, this deck issue turned out to be a pretty major defect and he decided the scope of this work was far too much for his budget and passed on this home. 

Hopefully the next buyer for this Norristown home gets a home inspection!


douglassville home inspector

David Artigliere is a home inspector with
ARTI Home Inspections LLC and covers Norristown, PA and surrounding areas. 

He is available 7 days a week and can be reached at
(610) 220-1907 or by visiting www.artihomeinspections.com.


 

 

david the home inspectorDavid Artigliere, owner of ARTI Home Inspections LLC, is a home inspector in Pottstown, Reading, Norristown, Royersford and surrounding areas. 

He is available 7 days a week and can be reached at 610-220-1907.

 
This post has been included in Pennsylvania Real Estate News Montgomery County, PA Real Estate News Norristown, PA Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Investing in Real Estate
Post is included in group: Pennsylvania Realtors
Post is included in group: Dedicated Bloggers
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: New Jersey & Pennsylvania -- Realtors/Loan Officers/Title Clerks/Real Estate Lawyers

12 Comments on Improper Deck Installation affects Entire Home! (Norristown Home Inspector)

APR
18
2012
640,016 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

David   Very interesting information ...  Thanks for the pictures and the explanation
2:39pm • #1
3 Featured Posts

Thanks for reading, Hannah.  I'm hoping people will see they really need to screen their contractors and not take any short-cuts.
6:23pm • #2
APR
19
2012
1,471,445 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Very good post and more reasons for home buyers to obtain a professional home inspection.
9:24am • #3
3 Featured Posts

Thanks Roy.  My client has only budgeted to clean the deck and patch that gap on the 2nd floor.  Yeah, he was a bit surprised!
9:33am • #4

Wow, David - you really helped your client by providing critical info needed to make an informed decision on buying that home! Those pictures really tell the story of how a defect/issue in one area of the home can profoundly affect the whole building.

 
11:49am • #5
3 Featured Posts

Karen- not too many people know the consequence of poor workmanship.  In cases like this, it can affect the entire home and end up costing a lot long-term.
2:05pm • #6
APR
20
2012
1,417,788 Points 28 Featured Posts Hit Router Called Shot Master

Interesting stuff David.  Quite powerful evidence of how either skimping on the addition or taking shortcuts can lead to escalating problems.
4:11am • #7
984,307 Points 57 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

David, thanks for bringing this information to our attention, and states loudly why we always need a professional inspector that knows what they are doing for our buyers!   Good job!
6:38am • #8
495,023 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

David, thanks for sharing your great information, there are many investors who flip properties that wanted to save money on inspections but they landed up making less profit. 
5:57pm • #9
APR
22
2012
3 Featured Posts

Gabe- yes, an example of where skimping can cost you in the long run!

Joan- this investor would have been in over his head had he skipped the inspection and glad he didn't.

Kwee- even experienced investors can miss something big at times.  $350 can save you thousands.
11:25am • #10
814,314 Points 86 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

David, great share & why home inspectors that know their business are so important!
3:44pm • #11
APR
25
2012
3 Featured Posts

Thanks Ginny.  It's nice to be in a profession that protects the consumer.
4:43pm • #12


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David Artigliere, ARTI Home Inspections, ASHI Certified Home Inspector (Reading, Pottstown, Norristown, Philadelphia)

David Artigliere, ARTI Home Inspections, ASHI Certified Home Inspector

Collegeville, PA

More about me…

Reading, Pottstown, Norristown, Philadelphia

Address: Phoenixville, Boyertown, Royersford, Exton, Shillington, Wernersville, Collegeville, Conshohocken, Malvern, Sinking Spring, Sanatoga, Exeter, PA, 19606

Office Phone: (610) 220-1907

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