DIY Sundeck I condemned - Home Inspection

Occasionally I come across something that I have to condemn, today was that day. I found this Sundeck.

[@1catbrains]

This deck has been brought to you by Budweiser

[@Scratchingforcash]

Ok, now that’s funny

[@toltecnightmare]

let's get real. This is a PBR deck, at best.

[@yeltsin6817]

I actually laughed out loud. Solid

[@slimshady1541]

Because it’s not straight?

[@slimshady1541]

Because it’s not straight?

[@patjohn775]

It's been my experience that DIYers typically over support things because they are afraid.. Not the case with this home owner

[@headfirsttryingtoskydive1052]

Pat John can over supporting cause problems?

[@8digitPDX]

Adrian Smith only if it adds too much weight it too many fasteners in we si rice points, like too many nails going through corner pieces.

[@practicalguy973]

Evey DIYer is different with results varying greatly. Here was a bad build that happened when a handyman's patio collapsed with people on it. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/halifax-deck-collapse-victims-suing-brussels-street-homeowners-city-1.3206469

[@stevelopez372]

DIY and no permit equals bad bootleg job.

[@Richdevens4]

Guilty! I like to jump up, down and sideways on my creations and feel zero movement.

[@huejanus5505]

Quality of the deck matches the blue tarp roof on his garage.

[@dirtydan1861]

I think I'd actually feel more secure standing on the tarp than this deck lol😅

[@kevinthomsen77]

I can’t believe you were brave enough to walk up on that thing!!

[@larrykent196]

Yea for sure that is a bad set of stairs. Cheers!

[@leftylou6070]

Bravery has nothing to do with it.

[@truthsmiles]

Just put a 4-person hot tub on it and call it good.

[@bubbagreensmith7174]

These are the very things I see all to often as a contractor. I'm called in so often to repair NEW construction. Not much pride in workmanship anymore

[@wizard3z868]

well you cant have construction and contractor with out the CON lol yes i use this a lot some laugh most get pissed

[@suntzu6122]

Hard to take pride in your work when you suck ass at it. He prob tried his best lol.

[@jayralston2305]

not much common sense anymore

[@NealBrewer]

*too. Also, apparently, no pride in how one wields their language of choice anymore. :P

[@michaelccozens]

@@jayralston2305 "Common sense" is definitely what built this deck, as opposed to actual research and adherence to code.

[@leftylou6070]

That Inspector is the man I want to come and build a deck for me, he knows his business!

[@leahsdreams]

When you shook that handrail, I had to get out of my seat and walk away. It should be pulled down on the spot.

[@ericparent7794]

LOL! Yup.. Seen lots of those! No piles, but attached to structure = differential settlement = crooked structure. Frost-heave and subsequent thaw-settlement = up/down/up/down/up/down (as the seasons cycle), sinking slightly further with each thaw cycle (you can already see the lean towards the rear). Not to mention that a raised platform like that has to be on a foundation (posts have to be on piles) to resist all movement. And the freeze/thaw heave/settle cycles create a moment at the ledger plate, which creates static tension and can eventually damage the wall structure... what else... oh, the lack of piles also created /\settlement between the piles, causing the mid pile to sink faster than the corner piles (usually the other way around though). Awful! And I just watched the first minute so far! Anyway, good job.

[@fredpenner5667]

Attached to the structure is proper installation. I'm glad you've seen lots of those.

[@armageddonready4071]

The first deck I build twenty years ago, it still standing and was built off of with an extension. It was trapezoid shaped with a pergola screen because houses these days are all built with the neighbors right in your face.

[@rileymannion5301]

He's in Calgary Alberta and it's really handy to have antislip stuff on your stairs to prevent breaking your back

[@michaelccozens]

Yeah, I don't think people appreciate how slippery a smooth wood surface gets when wet. It's like wet ice. There's nothing there to give you friction when a layer of water is sitting on top of it.

[@justinballard7242]

Those stairs need at least 2 more stringers

[@greenspiraldragon]

My brother fell through his deck railing and fractured 4 vertebre. The railing was old and just deteriorated. He is recovering. He could have been killed.

[@2nickles647]

Bummer. Fall through your own deck you built.

[@philliplarson2155]

Nicely dried in garage too.

[@craigrobertson8364]

Killer Deck!

[@scottbaican9566]

Hack job !! Your pretty brave to even walk on that

[@jimbendtsen8841]

you're..

[@darylrichardson8567]

When done properly, they look easy to do. I would be terrified

[@billm.8220]

Definitely a COMPLETE tear down & rebuild !! SO MANY construction violations !! That is why you NED to visit your local building office BEFORE you build !! Do it right the FIRST TIME !!

[@RobertCro]

At the end of the day its just a deck. Likely over a decade old. Served its purpose and its time to come down. Savings in DIY projects are still well worth it regardless of the shortcuts, as long as its not a critical part of your house. Something like a deck can be "professionally" done by a first timer if they take a few hours to watch some intructional videos, a step that this one skipped.

[@Wowzersdude-k5c]

Hey I'm actually impressed they at least used metal post base brackets and joist hangers. Most hack jobs just toenail everything.

[@ar159101]

I love the lattice for privacy

[@WhoWantsToKnow81]

Next, on "Canada's Worst Handyman"....

[@ratrodbubba]

actually the 2x4 that is nailed ontop of the 2x8 is likly there to keep the 2x8s from rotting out from the inside out we have been doing that for years on farms on wagon beams so they last 20 plus years because if we don't do that they rot and snap in under 5 years because they sit outside year round the moisture if we don't do that gets taped between the boards rotting them from the inside out but ya I don't blame you for condemning the porch that just looks scetchy

[@jimbendtsen8841]

punctuation could be your friend

[@jimbendtsen8841]

@@InPinkCloverDoes that make you feel important, being a moron?

[@EarlFaulk]

There is a house where I live in Akron that for some reason it's front facade was built that way. The entire roof over the porch is collapsing. Yet people are still living there and the city doesn't seem to care.

[@handimanjay6642]

I charge extra to fix what customers messed up. That looks like whoever built it didn’t have a truck to haul long boards and was thrown together with alcohol involved.

[@ThePooba26]

Oh my god that deck hurts to look at

[@BabyxPluto]

"Ok guys, good joke you can come out with the cameras now I'm being pranked aren't I"

[@tygrahof9268]

Also risers on the stairs cannot be open any more.

[@randomstuffwithjoe]

This looks like a deck that started out bad.. and the homeowner kept making more and more tweaks to it over the years - as needed. This doesn't look like it was built this way from the start.. but evolved into a giant hazard over the years. Build it properly from the start and it would last for many many years.

[@honchoryanc]

LMAO as soon as I saw those supports

[@albertbresca5801]

looks like something i would do sadly....

[@MK-xl9tt]

As someone with 30 years in the plumbing and hvac trade, usually the home inspector will pick out a drip leg from a water heater terminating more than 6” from the floor or a toilet not being caulked around the base( which btw is a terrible idea) and never sees the crack in the heat exchangers of heating equipment or clogged chimneys or vent pipes. They’re kind of a joke to professionals in the trades.

[@percussion44]

I tend to agree. They nitpick BS stuff and miss glaring deficiencies like a rotted out roof. In this particular case, the construction does seem a little sketchy.

[@hottubking1229]

What does your comment have to do with a shoddy deck?

[@MythicJedi]

You sound like a guy who probably has done 30 years of shady work.

[@MK-xl9tt]

@@MythicJedi you’d be wrong

[@MK-xl9tt]

I don’t like to speculate but you might be the guy who has no experience and would rely on the word of someone with a title like “inspector” who in many cases has no experience in the field as well. “

[@Billy-ev2ig]

That deck is 30 years old

[@kurtwm2010]

picky, picky, picky. I am sure the slope of each half a deck towards the middle is done for better drainage . The gap between the deck joist and the house is for better air circulation, preventing moisture build-up. 6 tiny bolts is more than enough to support the deck, especially when there are plenty of people dancing on top. It's simply a money saver. I am sure it works well. Looks professional to me. Let's pretend we didn't see other minor issues.

[@fredpenner5667]

I think he was being super critical of the construction as well. A bit of repair work for a contractor to do in a day but as for being condemned, give me a break.

[@pamil1923]

Looks like it’s been there for awhile.😊

[@tsizzle]

I had rusty joist hangers that I’ve since replace with Simpson strong-tie zmax and secured with their SD screws #9-2.5”. However, I notice some gap between the joist and ledger board and beam. Do I need to be concerned with that gap and the double-shear screws not penetrating enough of the ledgerboard and beams? What can I do about that? Fill the gap with some sort of shim? Also, the deck still feels wobbly overall. Should I install some SB16 sway bars diagonally between the joists corner to corner?

[@bluefallon6374]

Damn , someone didn’t know what they were doing. It looks like a guess and by golly.

[@LygerTheCLaw]

its sad yet funny how someone can walk on that thing and not realize in how much danger they really are in each time. get 3-4 people on that thing and you have a potential death on your hands.

[@2mnxffrddfghjbbvcdfh6644bcddcv]

Good video

[@stevesaunders6672]

Yes it's a problem, But what credentials, or authority, do you have, that give you the authority to condem a deck? As a "Home Inspector" You record observations and make recomendations!

[@TheTaekwon3]

😂

[@robbyramone6920]

It’s his job dumbass, you probably built that piece of shit didn’t you, hahaha

[@michaelccozens]

And his recommendation here to his clients, ie. the potential buyers, is that the deck is unsalvageable and must be pulled-down entirely. Not sure what you're upset about here.

[@alcapony732]

Looks great, more work for me. Lol

[@Scratchingforcash]

I would definitely have a party and put 20 people on that deck!! NOT!!!

[@okiedokiepushmowing9032]

Did you get permission to video and post that persons back yard?

[@FartSmucker]

Good lord it might as well be made of furring strips

[@heroknaderi]

Wow good find: I’m curious does the seller have to deal with it or the buyer

[@Cautionary_Tale_Harris]

Hey, I know it's been a year since you asked this, but you can sort out who will take responsibility for this deck during your negotiations on a contract. Let's say the Seller wants $100,000 for this property. We know the deck is bad and must be replaced. Maybe that'll cost $4,000. I can offer (for example) $96,000 and I'll get the deck replaced, or I can offer the full $100,000 *BUT* the Seller must get the deck replaced.

[@heroknaderi]

@@Cautionary_Tale_Harris that’s good advice 😁😉

[@Cautionary_Tale_Harris]

@@heroknaderi It's generally how you would do the same thing if you were buying a used car. But keep in mind, sometimes the condition of the car/house/property has already been taken into account and the asking price has already been reduced. If I'm selling a used car for $1,500, don't tell me that you'll only buy it for my asking price once I put new tires on it and get it painted. The price already reflects the condition of the car (or house or property).

[@birdpajaro1395]

This is crazy

[@TomMunroCHI]

I see this kind of stuff everyday I am A Son, blows my mind.

[@gowdsake7103]

My question would be how long has it been up

[@dougwhole6009]

Dude, you sound out of breath from climbing the stairs.

[@jacobgentile3351]

Talking in a video can wind you pretty easily, more out than in

[@StanTheMan-us3tp]

2x8 not to code ?? Whaaat

[@1morevictim]

It’s 45 years old what you expect

[@engineeringartist4801]

And the "builder" smiled smugly, knowing that he saved eleven dollars on nails, wasted nothing on lumber and no one was the wiser. Just knowing you're a genius is it's own reward. 😂 😂

[@blipco5]

Not to mention those stairs need two more stringers.

[@truthsmiles]

I thought the same - at least 1 more for sure.

[@ThisHandleIsntTook]

But we got the instructions on KZbin

[@danpettis1675]

YOU CAN DO IT... WE CAN HELP

[@RonFleener]

This is the difference between crack and meth.

[@DanKirchner5150]

looks to be already 10+ yrs old /maybe they seldom used it ?

[@Casmige]

Jose’s quicker deck for you in-a-day servicio’s... no CC’s, checks only cash,

[@PNWrides]

Unreal

[@craigwiester9177]

Man, does this guy talk Canadian! Where is he?

[@rodeleon2875]

easy to tear down anyway. just knock that center post out and watch it fold like a house of cards. probably take the front of the house off too but it looks like a shithole anyway.

[@steamenginewatt2712]

The stringers are cut out of 2x8 or 2x10 material, and they should've of used 2x12....

[@Mike-gz4xn]

2x16 is required.

[@zandemen]

You can use 2x10 stringers if the rise and run allow you to have at least 90mm of material from the corner of the toe to the bottom of the stringer.

[@adamwright9517]

You forgot your catchphrase at the end

[@dsshowerpan]

Oh Canada....

[@MusicAsWeMakeIt]

Been there. Seen it. Tore it down.

[@MultiBiohunter]

This is basically the ricer of homeownership. Looks good, performs poorly xD Anyways, some of the stuff you mentioned was a bit nitpicky. Antislip material for stairs is something i've never encountered in my life.

[@ffjsb]

This doesn't even look good.

[@JasmineLindros]

Munro is in Canada, and likely deals with icy exterior stairways more often than you or I.

[@michaelccozens]

Guessing you haven't actually done any research on why these codes are in place.

[@bobcougar77]

I think you've used the wrong terminology unless I misunderstand your role. You say you've "condemned" this deck. What is your authority to do such a thing?

[@truecrimejungle]

Are you seriously calling a deck, "a wood thing you don't even know what it is" - I mean come on, dude.

[@truecrimejungle]

deck joists definitely don't have to be 2x10's are you f*cking new, house joists aren't even 2x10's, are you f*cking new? I mean it's a terrible deck build but you have no idea what you're doing either.

[@ryanbarker5217]

@@truecrimejungle it could be the code where he's at, i suppose.

[@anonymous..-]

The slope is for the rain. Duh.

[@abelmendoza2411]

Oops, a piece fell off! No, you broke it! Lol. You break, you pay! What a disaster! It's pretty old, so it needed to go. Decks don't last very long.

[@ptech88]

Nobody like people hanging out on their deck for to long.

[@davepierce700]

WOW ~!!! One of the worst jobs ever. I still don't believe you walked up those stairs.

[@blastomycosis]

You job seems neat. this is fucked thats fucked im condemning that for sure, here is your bill, bye

[@StewieGriffin505]

Waste of good lumber. I suppose it could be dismantled and reused.

[@Romancefantasy]

Wow!

[@user-wz2sj9ij8j]

4x4 posts are fine ...strength wise...installation is wrong with everything else

[@mattypants]

You dont need a housing inspector to look at that deck and know its very very wrong.

[@michaelccozens]

Clearly you do, or the potential buyers here would already have noticed the deck issue, as was mentioned.

[@mattypants]

@@michaelccozens I guess if you're a first time buyer maybe. Any seasoned home buyer would look at EVERYTHING, like foundation, windows, door frames, concrete, basement walls, attic. Home ownership is a lot of work and should require some sort of informative class

[@clarkpalace]

Thats not diy, thats do it wrong. Imagine having to pay someone to tell you this deck is a joke

[@johnmcook1]

no way i would go up on that lol

[@beth-rg8bm]

There is NOTHING safe about that deck!

[@andrewfield5656]

No continuous graspable handrail. And incised lumber under there. Ugh

[@mikerafone4736]

yep, steaming pile for sure .

[@DanB95]

I've seen decks built by drunk people that look safer. Although I have also seen much worse but still. Terrible. Lol

[@stevenkaskus6173]

Maybe the Deck was built by a DIY PERSON WHO THOUGHT THEY KNEW HOW TO BUILD ONE.

[@bigdog8008]

Or maybe built by a 'perfessional' who thought they knew how to build one.

[@johnb9394]

it's unsafe but yet you walk up the stairs..lol DOH!

[@lotharhamburg5343]

If that's new the guy should saw his own head 🗣️ off 🤪

[@Sight-Beyond-Sight]

That is some scary shit...

[@baba-sm1fm]

Omg!!

[@mattywho8485]

I guess the acting thing didn't work out for John Travolta, so he had to go into home inspections !

[@xmassan20906]

Jump up and down, see what it does.

[@DucatiQueen]

I bet this guy is popular in his neighborhood 😂

[@fredpenner5667]

and real estate agents. He was very critical of the deck that just needed some repair work; not to be condemned. I'm sure he got his act together quickly from being a deal killer.

[@mebeachgirl1]

Death trap

[@cameron6537]

Says the deck is a hazard, walks under it..

[@Finians_Mancave]

Don't be ridiculous. It's a "potential hazard", which means it would fail over a period of time. It's not likely to collapse right away. (He also walked on top of it, which is much more dangerous). But that's what an inspector does; he's not going to be able to do his job by inspecting it from 10 feet away....

[@Scratchingforcash]

Comment kinda stupid, should he rent an airplane and inspect it overhead?

[@pfjsuyehf]

What a sloppy job. The DIYer was drinking too much while doing this

[@Joshua24155]

Oh my that's insane. One of the worst ones I have seen

[@deanbarnette1602]

#SMMFH!! 🙄

[@dennisdethloff7467]

With all the info on how to build a deck on the internet, no excuse to build a piece of crap

[@mino-kw1oh]

yep, lousy job. easy fix though.

[@warrenranstrom4462]

Are you sure you aren’t Chris Pontius from Jackass…?

[@hungp.8191]

Horrible DIY. Accident waiting to happen. This is basically a tear down....

[@williamm9604]

You should be wearing a helmet walking on that death trap

[@williardbillmore5713]

Typical deck build. More decks are built like this than proper decks.