Donald Hester
Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #647
WSDA#80050
InterNachi Member #NACHI10022401
509-670-9572
Contact Us
Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #647
WSDA#80050
InterNachi Member #NACHI10022401
509-670-9572
Contact Us
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Screwed- Weekend warriors and decks!
Submitted by DonHester on Thu, 02/21/2013 - 10:58. Screwed- Weekend warriors and decks! Quincy Home Inspection Services
I have a saying if a see a deck done completely right I will jump up and down and make sure that whole world knows it. As a home inspector I just never see them done completely right. Decks seems to be one of those components of the home that just do not receive the attention to detail they deserve.
In many cases this lack of detail may have very minor consequences but as the deck ages or if the deck goes up in height these details can rear their ugly head.
Here is one detail that needs to be always evaluated… the joist hanger fasteners.
Joist hangers are pretty common on most decks and are a great at what they are designed for, if installed correctly.
These are engineered products and as such have specific requirements for their installation. So let’s look at one little detail the fastener.
Simpsom Ties is a very common manufacturer of joist hangers and is on of the common ones I see when performing home inspections.
When using these hangers the manufacturer will specify what type of fasteners are to be used.
From Simpsom- “All specified fasteners must be installed according to the instructions in this catalog. Incorrect fastener quantity, size, type, material, or finish may cause the connection to fail.”
Also they state- “Common screws may NOT be used to replace NAILS in connectors.”
Most people do not understand that most common screws are designed to prevent withdrawal, the pulling apart of materials but are weak on shear which is a strain produced by pressure in the structure of a substance, when its layers are shifted in relation to each other.
So in using an improper fastener you could be compromising the strength of the connection which could lead to failure.
Remember- “Do not Screw when you should be Nailed”.
Simpsom’s- “Installers Pocket Guide”
Note: There are engineered screws that are designed for shear applications.
“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”
Red Adair
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
Your Quincy, Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Services.
www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572
