Top 5 Easiest Ways To Fail An Inspection || Dr Decks

Ever got dinged on a building inspection? We have as well. But I'm going to tell you the most common ways you can fail a building inspection for your deck. Make sure you do all these things so your deck is safe and will pass an inspection.
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[@johng8967]

Word for the day is POSITIVE.

[@pshep123]

Dude kept saying "positive connection" without explaining what the hell a positive connection is.

[@utahwhiplashclinic]

It’s called the top plate, Brother. And it’s apparent you are a skilled tradesman. Your trade is building decks. I appreciate your videos.

[@samamsterdam4301]

The 6th easiest way to fail an inspection is to be a man having your work inspected by another man. It's the obligatory man code to immediately criticize anything that was built by another man. One time I called a plumber over to fix my kitchen sink and he immediately said, "Oh this is awful. Why did they do it like that? Okay, well that's just strange. I'll get it fixed right" He must have forgotten that he's the one that did it about 6 years earlier. We're still making fun of him! :)

[@derekofbaltimore]

I call that the second major symptom of "contractors disease" First symptom is talking a confident game of when i project can be completed and either missing deadline or not even showing up for first day 2nd is immediate complaints and jokes about anyone else's work.

[@SC_RC1478]

Lol funny. I am looking into patio covers now and one of the owners of the company said a portion of my neighbors patio cover is not built correctly. I didnt tell him, but it was his company that installed theirs too. Assuming it was not him who installed it though.

[@dzl8596]

Great video! The amount of details is incredible. I like doing things on my house to save money, but I always get it inspected. The piece of mind that what you did was done right and it's going to work is invaluable. Especially when you sell the house.

[@samfeldman1508]

If you don’t pull a permit you won’t fail an inspection.😜🤪

[@steelmaster73]

You also won't be able to include that structure when and if you go to sell the property.

[@tclambert1]

That is not entirely correct. I heard of a case where a building inspector drove by and saw construction going on, checked, and found no permit filed. A nice inspector might have knocked on the door and said, "Hey, you need a permit. And you need to pay this much of a fine." This guy was meaner than that. He waited, let them get 90% completed, and red tagged the whole thing. Stop work, tear it down, start over from the footings on up, after filing for the required permit.

[@davidscearce6078]

Good job inspector

[@mikerichard5580]

In some states, if you don't attach the deck to the house, it doesn't require a permit.

[@shanepalmquist2703]

@@tclambert1 I don't think they can make you tear down something on your own property, at least in the state I live in. My buddy couldn't pass the final inspection on his detached garage addition because he spray foamed the ceiling and didn't want to put a fire barrier (i.e. sheetrock) up on the ceiling. He told them to get lost and that was that. Worst case scenario here is you just have to sell your house "as is".

[@johngriffiths812]

nice, thanks for the video. first thing i did when we bought our place is go round and check everything thoroughly and apply joist hangers or make sure base to beam is positively connected. didn't opt for deck screws went straight to strong-tie, love their stuff.

[@dougdickens2298]

I'm about to embark on a deck building experience. You just cleared up some of the questions I had, thank you.

[@bobw3677]

Great to see some videos from a NW contractor or DIY. All the other deck videos are from the south where they don't have to worry about seismic codes and snow loads. Thanks.

[@JohnMichael-to8cb]

We in the South do have to worry about hurricanes every year.

[@pcatful]

Very good. Confirms what we always consider when getting permits, but I've learned of different products or methods. We also have to address bracing. The posts alone do not brace against earthquake. Proper railing post bracing is a whole other set of requirements.

[@juliahelland6488]

Great information! Thanks for sharing! 💯

[@dominicm2175]

Photo documentation of EVERYTHING. I routinely work on projects that have engineering specs and the local inspector has zero clue what they’re looking at so the inspector actually never needs to visit the site of you get a certificate of completion from an engineer

[@cribbsprojects]

Great learning video. Thanks for doing it.

[@paulsmith4875]

This is golden information!! Thank you !!

[@viktorizoita]

Waiting on deck permit- Arlington WA Thanks for all the tips !

[@mojodojo5533]

The stairs are always important too. We got dinged for being over 7.75" on the risers and for not having a grippable handrail.

[@StephenBoesch]

absolutely. The rail post attachments are tricky and for stairs there is a whole additional set of code. this is a reductive video actually.

[@jjclarkson3261]

Calm and informative video that oozes 'been there, done that' experience. Good job!

[@StephenBoesch]

He did not know about tension bolts: that's a sign of "I haven't been getting my decks inspected". That's an immediate fail.

[@kbram7363]

Great info

[@dsm9785]

great video! you did an awesome job! always better to do it right then to short cut and have to fix it after. one thing I do for the Ledgerlox screw is put them in the same bay between the joist 1 high,1 low so the inspector can see them. he may question the ones behind the joist.

[@justayoutuber1906]

Great looking deck.

[@petehayduk8051]

Good stuff man! Great video!

[@drdecks]

Appreciate it!

[@BigJohnson1566]

Good intel thanks.

[@justinoclaire6806]

Thank you very much very helpful...you got a new sub

[@stufine]

Old building I've been around for around 25 years had to have most joist hangar nails replaced since they were falling out. One of the things I saw was the need for Lateral Anchors. It was more needed for the 20' tall 6x8 that went from the ground up that held the deck fronts. They were starting to bow pulling the joist away from the ledger. They didn't have joist hangar screws back when this was installed. I believe it those would have stopped the pull

[@simmons6014]

Nice work👍

[@sullivanjoe7589]

Keep up the good work brother...😊

[@2SanityAtitsBest2]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. As a builder, a constant reminder of all these details helps keep me sharp. 😃

[@kevinstenger4334]

I wish I could make our local inspector watch this. Not one of those things would get flagged in my area. My deck that I will soon be tearing apart and rebuilding is 10’ off the ground and the railing doesn’t even have any posts, just 2x2 spindles nailed to the rim with 10d finish nails (not galvanized) and 2x4 top rails. My house is only 6 years old too, that’s how it was when the house passed inspection.

[@h2s142]

Insurance companies need to inspect homes before sale.

[@sparkyobrian6417]

you must have the same inspector i had

[@wallacegrommet9343]

That railing system would never meet code

[@StephenBoesch]

Every one of those things and many many more would get flagged in any area of the united states: the items described here are minimal code.

[@billray7703]

Thank you

[@maxfriesen6103]

You have great content in your videos. I am one of those who watched a lot of videos to have confidence in my engineering choices. A 1 man show is a slow go, though. 500 sq ft. 2nd story deck. Have a ways to go. 20' 2 × 12. Thanks a lot

[@drdecks]

Thank You!

[@jayralston2305]

good job on your deck that was a very expensive deck but worth it , I've ran across a lot of people not wanting to build a nice deck like this to expensive for them especially the materials nowadays

[@billmadle1235]

Well I’m 65 years old I’ve been in construction for 36 years and 30 something years in new construction I’ve seen a lot of decks go up on new homes and the deck that you built was really super strong I’ll give it a 10 thumbs up and one thing that I could say hey where are they and that’s where is the hurricane straps do you have one of those long bolts going up to the land beam into the Joyce up at the outside front of the deck by the RV place where are they met on new construction or hasta be a hurricane straps on each one but all the stuff that you useThat’s really a strong deck😊

[@richdobbs6595]

I failed an inspection because there were gaps between joists and an intermediate beam. I had oversized the joists sufficiently that they spanned the entire width of the deck without any sag, and not all of them rested tightly on the intermediate beam. The inspector made me install shims to pass the inspection. I suspect that over the years, the shims fell out, and where there was stess the joists eventually rested on the beam as needed. I should ask the current owners, who are friends, if those shims are still in place.

[@decksbye3269]

Wow! Building for earthquakes adds a lot of structural requirements for a deck. I build in a non-earthquake zone, and almost now of these things are required except having hangers ;-)

[@drdecks]

Good for you!

[@h2s142]

Uplifting is from windloading. Most of deck structural requirements are due to cantilever and deck loading issues and not due to seismic issues

[@anxiousappliance]

Hangers an structural screws are easy and peazy. Peace of mind. Also, those structural screws can take the place of 5/16 lag - instead of a bunch of big holes, you just drive a timbertech - so sweet.

[@StephenBoesch]

You should look at your code again. I believe the tension bolts have been added in the majority of districts within the last few years. The list he described is actually quite minimal and doubtful not to be included by any licensing authority.

[@adrianbishop2211]

The first deck I built was failed at framing stage because I had not called for inspection when the post holes were dug. That was a tricky one! Also, in our area, because interior framing can be unknown, posts are required under the ledger.

[@donaldatherton319]

I am planning an elevated deck on the cottage. I expect the structure of the cottage is getting on in age so I’m planning for a double row of posts. Not hanging off the building.

[@_RiseAgainst]

I know it is a cost savings thing but IMO the ledger board should just be for lateral forces not the downward weight of the deck.

[@mojodojo5533]

Should definitely add posts if wall is faced with brick or stone.

[@StephenBoesch]

"Posts required under the ledger". How interesting: I did that on my deck because it made sense to me though not required or even mentioned in code.

[@Nite20fly]

thanks you

[@gnomiefirst9201]

Well done video. The flashing for the ledger board where it is tied into the house exterior should have to pass inspection. This is where a lot of water penetration and rot occur because it is not done correctly. A few years back the city told me they don't do inspections of covered outdoor seating areas for commercial businesses. The place I was eating at looked like a disaster waiting for a high wind e.g. no positive steel connections anywhere.

[@StephenBoesch]

Absolutely. The water tightness /protection of the ledgerboard to the home (and associated flashing and waterproofing material and procedures) is actually some of the most involved part of the deck building process. This guy did not even mention at all.

[@planesandbikes7353]

I added all those structural brackets, ledger bolts and hangers to my old deck (which has vinyl surface). Kind of scared me seeing it all held with just a bunch of nails but that was standard practice 30 years ago I guess. I'd never seen those lateral tension brackets, but often doubted the joist hangers ability to hold the joists from pulling away from the ledger. I should add those too. thanks

[@kathleenbiryla641]

Thanks,

[@josephdg1429]

Boy lots of positives

[@nelsonmorgan2356]

If you don’t pull a permit, your insurance won’t cover if it fails and you’re on the hook for all liabilities and damages. Don’t hire the uninsured and unlicensed even if it saves you a few thousand.

[@mtvjackass74]

Here in Nashville, only permit you need is if your deck is attached to the house, otherwise if its a "floating deck" you don't need a permit, but I did need a permit for my above ground pool.

[@RCMServices]

Don't forget the tension tie on railing posts if using 4x4's.

[@chuly740]

In MI they have started to require lateral tension connectors on all our decks.

[@billymacktexasdetective5827]

I'm in michigan, just built a permitted deck and there was zero mention of those being code...

[@jeffalan6339]

On the ledger board in my state has to be 1/2" lag screws, in the correct IRC pattern or try again.

[@livingaboard]

Or ledger loks I’m guessing

[@WillFull_Truth]

What’s your opinion on adding additional posts attaching and tying it all In the house wall

[@labrat9296]

Inspection for a deck, brother yall living in a different country. You would get laugh at down here asking for a deck permit Love from Trailer Park USA

[@lcrazyjeff]

What is a positive connection? Connections with brackets?

[@SteveN-sy4bm]

We always go around and around about angle braces… especially for tall decks. I guess the metal post beam connection is acting as that as well…. We don’t engineer our decks… we just build to code…

[@CNHInspections-CentralNebraska]

@drdecks What brand coat do you? I would like to purchase one with my business logo on it... Thanks!

[@dredaylarue]

I had someone built a deck And they notched the Joist to the beams is that safe

[@theferallife8812]

"nationwide"🤣 we don't need no stinking permits!

[@StephenBoesch]

No deck permits. Yea right.... Decks are a serious safety question so I flat out don't believe you. Will look up now to see if there are any states that allow 2 story decks with NO permits.

[@leebonifay5767]

How long are those structural screws on your post-to-beam brackets? It seems like they would hit the screws coming from the other side of the beam....or they would have to be really short? Could you use through-bolts to sandwich the brackets together? Curious as Im getting ready to start building my deck. Thanks

[@tomgardner5006]

Where I live, I can't get a permit to build home projects. I've tried, they just say go for it. Nevertheless, I always shoot for quality.

[@DeuceGenius]

Why is it okay to toenail the joist in a house but not for a deck?

[@StephenBoesch]

There is a lot of context missing in this video. He did not describe what that 6 inch screw is replacing: an actual 1/2 inch lag bolt going through the entire joist. Screws were not allowed until super strong specially engineered ones e.g. Timerlok were created that were proven to provide the same strength as those lag bolts.These guys need to keep the entire structure from moving: normal toe nails/screws are nowhere near sufficient.

[@spacesmuggling]

in our neck of the woods , after materials being priced you'd get a 2ft×2ft box with all that hardware and seismic activity engineered steel plates and accessories lol

[@tyjones5019]

Good video and I really like Simpson Strong Tie stuff but the angled nails on the joist hangers are worthless. Civil engineer here. They will not hold anything, split out easily. Look at the nails not even driven in all the way. Won't help anyway. They're catching about a quarter of an inch of the joist.

[@derekofbaltimore]

I have zero experience but i caught that as well. When he mentioned the length of the screw but i was thinking about the lack of wood the screw was actually going through

[@Mike-pq2hb]

Maybe a video for mobile home or pre fab double wide specs for decks plse:)

[@M30263]

Free standing will be required. Can Ot support the deck on any manufactured home. Other than that the deck standards are the same.

[@kensearle4892]

What are some of the best ways to shore up a deck if you see the tops of deck plants wiggle a bit when you walk but can not afford a new deck yet? - 45-degree wood supports from the posts to the beams. - Blocking between the joists. - Lateral Tension tie (was not aware of that thank you)

[@StephenBoesch]

Those are good starts. Have a knowledgeable person examine the footings, beams, joists, hangars/ ledgerboard attachments, and check for rot especially at the house/ledgerboard/joists attachments location. Also the railings/post attachments. If the individual boards, posts and beams of the deck are in good shape (not rotted/damaged) then it should be possible to reinforce where needed. Even a poorly done footing can be addressed by temporarily jacking the deck, digging and enplacing a sturdier one and re-emplacing the beam[s].

[@jefflovinfishin621]

There’s only 1 way to fail an inspection, actually have it inspected lol

[@billymacktexasdetective5827]

Permits? We don't need no stinkin permits!

[@TwilightxKnight13]

Very bad advice. Don’t listen to it. Get your permits. Get inspected. Period, full stop

[@billymacktexasdetective5827]

@@TwilightxKnight13 Bootlicker!

[@billymacktexasdetective5827]

@TwilightxKnight13 The dumbest people I've ever met are inspectors. It's not even a close second. On a footing inspection I witnessed, the guy never got out of his car. He drove up about 30 feet away from the 8 foot hole in the ground, sat there and bs'd while he filled out a green sticker, handed it out the window and off he went. Please, why are inspections from the government so critical?

[@DrMJJr]

Don’t forget flashing at the ledger board connection to the decking

[@DeuceGenius]

The lag bolts arent enough to hold it to the house?

[@lawnranger05]

How would anyone make a living waiting on a 3 level inspection process for a simple deck? A 1-3 day project needs 3 inspector visits? That might take a month to get the city out there. What a waste of time. I'm glad I do aesthetic repairs and usually don't have to deal with inspectors.

[@StephenBoesch]

These are not useless inspections. Even this guy made a few critical mistakes : so the process shows its value. The inspectors do need to come at different phases: the footings need to be viewed before the concrete is poured. Then the beams/attachments need to be seen when they are in place, and then final. The inspectors schedule a number of homes in any given day so the delays are not typically excessive.

[@rla1000]

2:55 So is the joist on the left just hanging out there?

[@wallacegrommet9343]

No notched posts serving as railing posts attachment points.

[@MarchLikeTheMonth]

what happens if the post beam connection is G90 on PT wood? would that fail inspection or could it just fail in the future? can I coat the G90 with something before installing?

[@joebinion1]

So on the lateral tension brackets are there any other options??GOD BLESS

[@drdecks]

Yes but they are more intrusive

[@prasmussen8293]

Diagonal bracing from the joists to the deck posts is an alternative. I used carriage bolts drilled through the brace and post, with bracing perpendicular as well as parallel to the house. The deck guide I downloaded from our township allowed for either this option or the tension ties, and I passed my inspection.

[@Keith-ou9su]

I built a deck 20 years ago that we just nailed together it's still there and beautiful it's all about money

[@danhuber9767]

I don't agree that it's all about money. I have seen so many decks on rental units that are close to disaster because of heavy use, poor design and improper maintenance. It's terrifying when people think a deck is safe because the boards on top look good.

[@jameslund221]

My boss would say nobody’s got money for that.

[@StephenBoesch]

So he doesn't get the decks inspected? That's a BAD idea.

[@whales302]

I only see one lateral connector, I imagine there is another on the other end. I still don't get the purpose, especially with only two. If the joists are physically fastened with hangers to the ledger which is also bolted to the house, how is the deck pulling away?

[@livens100]

I'm glad I don't live in an area where I need an engineer to design screw patterns for a simple ledger connection. Couldn't you just find a "overkill" pattern that would work for any situation?

[@M30263]

Typically you don’t need an engineer to run these calculations… IF you use the through-bolt method in the “Prescriptive Deck Guide”. It’s when people use various other methods that are not covered in the IRC or deck guide. That said, if you can show prove the fasteners meet the same requirements as the prescriptive method sheer values, lateral strength etc etc the inspector should be able to pas it. Unfortunately most inspectors will not take the time nor the effort to even try to understand these calculations so it can be a struggle (my politically correct version). Just because one area doesn’t actually do their job and make sure the deck is structurally sound and meets the MINIMUM standards doesn’t mean it’s ok to build a inferior product. It’s when contractors police their own standards that good contractors can’t compete with culls! And there is no shortage of idiots out there pimping piss poor practices. 😂 36 yrs in construction, 20+ as a inspector. 57 yrs of common sense and I’m still learning new methods. 🤷‍♂️

[@dallinweir]

​@@M30263 You are a smart man

[@M30263]

@@dallinweir 😂 more like I’ve been at this long enough something had to stick. But thanks just the same.

[@user-ul2vq6zw1m]

I really miss our dad "Gym" he was so much fun to work with,Lloyd the roofer.

[@nathanpike4745]

Your inspectors drive back to your jobsites. Hahaha mine give a green tag then have me send pictures hahaha

[@abidnessman]

Simpson bolts I know.

[@sparkyobrian6417]

sadly where I live city inspector ray charles approves construction from his desk or lunch with the contractor

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

Never keen on any deck attached to the building.

[@davefred3]

At 4:45, looking at your joist hangers. It looks like plastic collation evidence left around the nail heads indicating that you are using a pneumatic nailer for some of the "nails". I sell nailers where I work, but have never used one for this application personally. Since the one nailer I am familiar with for this application, BOSTITCH Metal Connector Nailer, 1-1/2-Inch (MCN150) only shoots, 1.5" nails, is that why you are using screws for the cross "nails" in the hanger rather than the air nailer? And I am guessing you are using 2.5" screws similar to Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Drive SD CONNECTOR Screw 9 x 2-1/2 inch 1/4-Hex Drive, Mech. Galv. for the cross side "nails" for that reason? Since I just learned of the 2.5" cross nail requirement, and this type of nailer only shoots 1.5" nails, I wonder how many people are using just 1.5" nails for all the locations in a joist hanger.

[@h2s142]

Positive placement nailer can nail 2”1/2 nails some pneumatic nailers can be used for strap/hanger nailing with some modifications

[@nbco55]

3" cross nail, 2 1/2" cross screws is our acceptable.

[@clydeusa6596]

I left the industry after 35 yrs, because of biding against hacks like this. I was never the lowest bidder but not the highest either. So many people I bid on jobs for, would see me later and say," I wish I had went with you.

[@brianhackett-jl3hc]

Why do you think he's a hack?

[@mattcreamer2157]

Homeowners "my deck cost how much to build"

[@dezbigguns1072]

They won’t let Simpson screws pass where I live. They want everything through bolted.

[@Ledge722]

Whats a permit?

[@burnshirtvalleyfarm6337]

"Our engineer" I get customers that have me build on the fly from their ever changing vision, and I'm talking houses. Engineer, crazy.

[@danielmoyle5503]

Who gets permits?

[@gregorylicciardello8583]

what is in the indentations in the lumber for?

[@matthewelberson4140]

Incisions so the pressure preservative treatment gets further into the wood

[@driveman6490]

Termites!

[@patrickarseneault7407]

are the same things done for level deck on the ground ? cause most of the time decks are done with uncle joe over a week end and no permits are even filed

[@rayray8687]

In my experience as a longtime contractor permits are not usually required for decks less than 24” above grade and can certainly be built to less stringent specs without safety issues. The best thing is to check with your local town planning department. Building inspectors are genuinely the best friend you can have when you need advice on a construction project.

[@shaunparker2056]

What about free standing decks?

[@bigdog8008]

That's what I did. Increased number of posts but no holes in the house siding. None of that fancy hardware either considering my deck is less than 2ft off the ground. Anybody crawling under deck will see ugly galvanized hardware...and I don't care.

[@stevesaunders6672]

You only spoke of structual issues, what about life safety issues in guard rails and grab rails, what about stair protocols? what about fall protection, which is lacking on the inside of the stairwell

[@Reaperofwind]

There have been some bad deck collapses.

[@strokerace4765]

Do you need a permit to put down new decking on an old deck?

[@livingaboard]

I don’t get permits for anything

[@Keith-ou9su]

Ask your building officials but not usually unless you work on structure

[@danbert6039]

most people don't have helicle piles. your footings need to be 3x the size of your posts.

[@StephenBoesch]

I was surprised this guy did not know about the tension device: a pro should know the code. For the ledger connections: no way I'm paying an engineer to do complex calculation on it, instead will just overdo it. A few more $$ and a few more minutes. What about flashing , vapor barriers, and other water protection/tightness concerns for the ledgerboard? Doesn't the inspector look at that? Also : what about the railing post attachment points: isn't that another critical structural point that the inspector will focus on? I feel this is an incomplete list. Also for the footings : they need to see the pre-filled/concreted hole and the dimensions of the footings.

[@donnash5813]

2:50 He says, "Every joist has to be connected to the beam." Then shows joist not even on the beam.

[@araltanmandzhiev7206]

👍 are you building in California?

[@spodee55]

The poster of the video is in Tacoma WA

[@Anonymous-zd7bj]

What’s positive mean

[@jamisonr]

It means attached. The deck posts aren't resting on a concrete pad, they are mechanically attached. The joists aren't resting on beams, they are mechanically attached.

[@jackriley5974]

I'm 82 years old and proficient in 4 trades (expert in none) and still working. I recently purchased a tee shirt with the graphics saying, "Yes I'm old, but I got to see the world before it turned to shit". Having watched all the codes turn into a source of income as opposed to safety concerns reinforces that sentiment!! I enjoyed watching you squirm a little explaining the justification for ridiculous hardware, but you do it very well. Health and happiness for all!!

[@strongerthanmost2020]

as soon as he said local structural engineer i was out

[@kevingp12]

Hi

[@jayd9203]

If you watch the video muted, you might think a shorter Vince Vaughn is doing deck videos.

[@BiPolarBear722]

Where I’m from, nothing fails inspection.

[@billymacktexasdetective5827]

I had an inspector come out to check the footers for a new house. The idiot never even got out of his car. Just handed a green tag through the window and off he went...

[@danthecarpenterman9463]

The lateral tension ties should be every 4 feet , I only saw 1 . Am I missing something?

[@C420sailor]

4x 750lb tension ties or 2x 1500lb per IRC

[@alexmaclean1]

Building correctly is not that much more expensive than building it incorrectly, but building incorrectly will be a lot more expensive when you get to do it again.