Builders urge homeowners to check decks, balconies after recent collapses
Your balcony or deck might be a great place to wind down on a summer day, but how safe is it?
On July 4, a deck collapsed at an Emerald Isle beach house in North Carolina, injuring 24 people. In June, six people died and seven were injured when a balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California.
Your balcony or deck might be a great place to wind down on a summer day, but how safe is it?
In the case of the California collapse, inspectors found that the balcony suffered from rot, which occurs when water seeps into wood, causing it to decay over time. The North Carolina collapse was attributed to corroded nails, officials said, which caused the floor joists and deck boards to give way.
Mark Little, owner of Boston-based construction company Abacus Builders, told Boston.com he was greatly affected by the Berkeley collapse. “They were Irish like myself. So it hits home,’’ he said.
Illegally built
Little said the most dangerous structures he’s seen involved homeowners attempting projects by themselves, or with the help of family and friends without a building permit. Abacus, Little said, regularly receives calls from local homeowners needing decks repaired because they were constructed illegally 10 to 20 years ago. In Boston, the Inspectional Services Department oversees all building permits and inspection activities.
“[Homeowners] forget key building and structural elements that hold these things up,’’ Little said. “They don’t understand exactly how they should be built.’’
Poorly maintained
Little also said he’s seen structures collapse due to a lack of maintenance.
Most modern decks are constructed with pressure-treated wood, which should withstand the elements, insects, microorganisms, and fungal decay. But older wooden decks and balconies could warp or twist if not treated or sealed annually or semi-annually, Little said. The newest stainless steel fasteners and other metal components should be resistant to corrosion.
“People do disregard it,’’ Little said of home maintenance. “A good homeowner should always be maintaining their property all the time, whether it’s the roof, deck or gutters. It’s an investment. Take care of it and you save money. And save lives.’’
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Ideas for spicing up your outdoor space:
Some deck and balcony issues are notably visible. Here’s what homeowners can look for:
• Balusters (also known as spindles) should be securely attached.
• Shake your railings. They should not move.
• Walk around. If there is any sagging, your structure needs reinforcement.
Also check for:
• Crumbling foundation
•Rusted bolts or brackets
• Dry rot (caused by fungus)
• Water damage
• Squeaking sounds
But what’s the best way to make sure your structure is sound? “Have a contractor take a look,’’ Little said. Most won’t charge you to check the structural integrity of a deck or balcony.
What about all that snow?
This past winter, Boston saw a historic amount of snow – over 108.6 inches. Some residents’ decks and balconies had piles over six feet deep. Homeowners may wonder what effect major weather events have on outdoor structures.
According to David Kaloustian, owner of Arlington-based D.J.K. Contracting, if builders went through the proper permitting process, the record-breaking snowfall shouldn’t put your structure in danger. The Massachusetts State Building Code accounts for snow loads, basic wind speeds, and even earthquakes.
Even if your deck or balcony can handle snow piles, Kaloustian mentioned that overloading your structure with moving people is another story. In the case of the North Carolina deck collapse, 18 people had just gathered to one spot for a group photo.
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