Critical Deck Connections

1. Ledger-to-Wall Framing
Correct ledger attachment is critical when a deck is attached to another structure. One of the most common causes for deck failures is ledgers that are not properly secured and pull away from the primary structure, resulting in collapse. The two most common ways to correctly attach the ledger to a structure are lag screws or machine-bolts through the ledger and into the rim joist of the supporting structure.

2. Joist-to-Ledger
When joists terminate into a beam or ledger, a connection is required to provide bearing. In cantilever applications, the connection also must resist uplift.

3. Beam-to-Post
At the point where a beam meets a post, it must be properly connected to the post in order to resist gravity, lateral and uplift loads. This pertains to solid sawn beams or those comprised of multiple members, whether they rest on top or are fastened to the side of the post.

4. Joist-to-Beam
At the point where the joist bears on top of a beam, there must be a connection to resist lateral and uplift forces. Blocking or framing also is required to prevent overturning of the joists.

5. Railing Post-to-Deck
The railing connection is another important connection pertaining to safety that is often overlooked. In order to provide the required load resistance at the hand rail, the post not only must be fastened to the rim joist, but also tied back into the joist framing. Machine bolts through the post and rim joist alone do not typically meet the performance requirements of the code. Instead, a mechanical connector installed into the joist with bolts through the post is needed.

6 & 7. Stair Tread-to-Stringer and Stair-Stringer-to-Deck
Stair stringers must be properly connected to the deck, and treads properly connected to the stringers, in order to resist loads. In addition, code requirements regarding openings between stair treads and stair railing must also be met.

8. Post-to-Concrete
In order for posts to properly resist various types of loads, they must rest on and be anchored to concrete footings. Patios and pre-cast concrete piers do not qualify as proper footings for deck construction.

Posts must be correctly attached to a concrete footing in order to resist lateral and uplift loads. Unless posts are naturally decay-resistant or made from preservative-treated wood, they must be elevated off the concrete by 1 inch to help prevent decay at the end of the post due to moisture.

CORROSION

Not only should connectors in the critical areas be present and accounted for, they must all be in good condition. The issue of corrosion with metal connectors and fasteners heightened when the industry moved away from CCA to other types of preservative-treated wood. It’s important when inspecting decks made from preservative-treated wood that the proper connectors and fasteners are used. In many cases, Simpson Strong-Tie ZMAX® (G185) and hot dip galvanized (HDG) connectors and fasteners provide adequate corrosion resistance. There are parts of the country that are considered at a higher risk for corrosion, such as areas along the coast, areas exposed to chemicals, industrial zones, etc. In these cases, the use of stainless steel connectors and fasteners is recommended. Stainless steel connectors and fasteners provide the highest level of corrosion resistance. For more information about corrosion and connector coating recommendations, visit www.strongtie.com/corrosion.

Adding the right connectors and fasteners to a deck is an investment of a few hundred dollars that often will prevent a complete rebuild and keep deck owners and their families safe. Always remind your clients to regularly inspect and maintain their decks. If they’re not comfortable doing this themselves, recommend they hire you or another qualified, professional home inspector. If built and maintained properly, a deck will result in years of enjoyable and safe outdoor living.

Simpson Strong-Tie has developed a comprehensive Deck Framing Connection Guide that can help you through the process of making sure a deck is safe, secure and code-compliant. You can download the guide or request a copy at www.strongtie.com/safedeck.

Constructing a safe deck requires research, proper hardware, regular maintenance and oftentimes, help from a professional builder or inspector. Many Americans, however, still view adding a deck to their home as a simple, Do-it-Yourself project for Memorial Day weekend. Over the last 10 years, there have been more than 800 reported injuries and 20 deaths as a result of deck collapse.

Of the 40 million decks in the United States, it’s estimated only half meet building code requirements. To promote deck safety, The American Society of Home Inspectors is teamed up with the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) and Simpson Strong-Tie to encourage homeowners to make sure their decks are inspected before this years outdoor barbecues and parties began. And May of each year is a perfect time for a deck inspection.

There are many components to consider when inspecting a client’s deck. Checking for wood rot and large cracks is key, but you also must evaluate the structure as a whole.

To ensure the structural safety of a deck, it should be built with a continuous load path. A continuous load path is a method of construction that creates a series of solid connections within the structure of the deck that transfers the load through its frame to the ground and adjacent support structure, commonly the house.

A continuous load path requires more than a few nails and some deck boards. There are a total of eight key areas of a deck that must be secured with connectors and fasteners to ensure that the structure can support all of the weight that’s placed on it. When inspecting a deck, you’ll want to make sure the following areas of the deck are properly fastened.

If you are interested in having your deck inspected, you can contact a local home inspector, or call us at MCM Contractors and we will discuss what you are looking for a determine how we might be able to assist you.

Do you ever wish that you had bought a three-bedroom house instead of a two-bedroom? What about your garage – how often do you look at it and shudder at the thought of getting something out of the back? There are many storage options available to you, but some part of you wants to make sure that your home still feels like, well, a home. By utilizing the right storage functionality, you can make your home more organized and creating more room without feeling like you are in a warehouse.

When you go to a home improvement store and look in the home organization section, you are likely to see containers. Lots and lots of containers. While there is nothing wrong with these containers, not all of them will be right for your situation. Before you buy twenty of the latest rubberised stackable container design, make a plan for where you are going to store your things.

One of the most obvious places is the garage. Depending on how many vehicles or recreational items you want to store in your garage, you have a number of different options for storage options. Durable containers and other brands work well in the garage because they often come in see-through deigns, and can be easily stacked along the walls. Make sure that you secure these to the wall in case an earthquake or accidental bump threatens to make the wall fall over. If you don’t like the look of the Rubbermaid containers lining your garage, you can put tool pegboards or bulletin boards along the front. This will not only improve the aesthetics of the garage, but it will also make the space multi-functional.

When it comes to the inside of your home, you can still use durable containers, but you might consider different ideas in order to maintain the style of your home. If you have a country theme, get some wicker baskets to store your things in. Though they can be costly, storage ottomans and storage benches are great solutions for making your living room more, well, livable.

No matter what style of organization you choose, the extra space that you come up with can be used for a lot of different things. If you really get the hang of organizing your space, you can become a “landlord” and make some extra money by renting out your extra space to people who are trying to get more space in their own home.

Building the perfect deck;  What you should be considering when building your perfect deck.

Deck design is a very important process if you actually want to use it. There are a lot of things to consider and hopefully this article will enlighten you to a lot of things. The design itself is important because you are adding value to your home and also providing a focal point where you can actually see everything around you. These are great for late summer night parties or just sitting outside having tea and watching the deer and other random animals play.

Take the time to plan this design for your deck out accordingly. Think about the important things such as how you intend on using your deck, how much space do you need, what kind of furniture are you going to want to decorate your deck with, what will make you and everyone else more comfortable, and the considerations go on and on.

Other considerations include the weather in the area or the location in general. For example, if the deck faces the north then you will have the coolest deck and if you are going for a southern or western deck then it will be super warm in the summer if there is no screening or trees to provide shading.

For the avoidance of legal issues there are a few things to consider in regards to that, too. Pick your location and check out the zoning ordinances locally. There are typically limits on sizes of decks, heights of screens, and distances from deck to lot lines. There are even restrictions on the appearance of the deck in certain neighborhoods. Make sure to design this and seek approval before building because it can be very costly if not.

Check with the local building inspectors or department to see if you need to have a building permit and whatever plans you are going to need to hand in for approval or to keep on record. Definitely check with local utilities companies to make sure that you aren’t impeding on utility lines, also. This can cause destruction of epic proportions and it would be better to simply avoid all of that.

When it comes to size you can build whatever size as long as it is within the limits of the law. For aesthetic and useful purposes, don’t make a huge deck for a small home or a tiny deck for a huge home. This will not look good. The best decks provide quaint locations to relax and enjoy the weather and nature. Don’t overdo it.

Deck design is very important to insure that you have the deck of your dreams and that you will actually be able to put it to good use. Use sturdy materials and don’t cut corners. It isn’t safe to simply cut corners with deck design or any kind of living situation’s design. It would be like forgetting the nails when building steps. There isn’t a point in wasting time and money on something that isn’t done right the first time. Keep this all in mind when it comes to deck design and you will be very happy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Haakans

They say the devil is in the details. That is certainly the case when it comes to remodeling. One example is in the area of insurance. It is probably common knowledge that the contractor or contractors you hire to remodel your home should be insured but what exactly does that mean?

Contractors carry 3 basic types of insurance: vehicle, liability and workman’s compensation.
Everyone is familiar with the first type. It covers accidents to persons or property caused by or involving the insured’s vehicle(s). Your contractor should carry this type to protect you in the event that he injures you, someone else or property with a vehicle he owns, controls or utilizes while at your home performing the work you hired him for.

The second type protects you in the event that you, someone else or your property are damaged as the result of the contractor’s work. This would cover things such as a piece of furniture that is broken by the contractor while working in your home. It would cover the medical costs if your son stepped on a jagged piece of debris left lying around the work site. It would cover a neighbor who trips and falls over a cord or hose and is injured.

If there is an incident, the contractor may elect to pay the cost himself rather than make a claim against his insurance and risk a premium increase. Regardless, the insurance needs to be sufficient and current to cover any reasonably possible accidents.

It is also a good idea to be familiar with your homeowner’s policy regarding these types of incidents and you can always ask your agent if the certificate of insurance the contractor has provided you is adequate for your protection.
The third type of insurance is workman’s compensation. This type of insurance is intended to cover any injury sustained by someone working on your home. This type is a little more complicated.

In most states the owner(s) of the business is not required to carry workman’s compensation insurance on themselves. If they are injured on your job they could sue you and your homeowner’s insurance carrier.

If the contractor has a work comp policy, who does it cover? Is the owner covered if he is working on the job? What about the other workers who may or may not be his employees? The time to be sure you are adequately protected is before the contract is signed and the job is begun. All of this only becomes important of course if there is an incident. You have nothing to gain however but everything to lose if something drastic happens and you are liable.
It is always best to consult with an expert in loss prevention and insurance in the area in which you live.

Example of a Garage

When you decide to extend the functionality of your home by adding a garage, you’ll want to begin by calculating the costs. Several factors can make big impacts on your budget.

Permits

Your first step is to contact the local authorities and inform them of your home addition plan.

You will need a permit to proceed.  If we are working with you, then we will handle the permitting process, something that can be very difficult and confusing for a homeowner to do.

Get Quotes

You can get quotes from several contractors in your town. This will give you a good estimate of garage cost. Most contractors in an area will charge similar rates. In most places, a basic single-car garage can be added at around $10,000, and a similar double-car garage at around $18,000. Prices vary in different areas of New England and Massachusetts, we focus specifically in North Central Massachusetts and Gardner in particular.

Area

A major influence on the cost is the size of the garage (this usually goes without saying). If you want the garage to be used as a storage area as well, you can build a larger garage. Also, consider the size of your vehicles, and any plans you may have of buying more vehicles. This will influence your decision on whether to build a single-car garage or a double-car garage.  MCM Contractors can build you a single car or double car garage, your choice.

Attached or Detached

One decision to make right at the start is whether you want an attached garage or a detached one. An attached garage is convenient if you only plan to use the garage to park your vehicles when you are home. If you want the garage to be a large space where you can also include a recreational room, or a workshop, you can consider building a detached garage. An attached garage is cheaper because it involves less work, and includes a ready-made wall from your home. To build a detached garage, you have to start from scratch and build the entire structure. Also, you need a larger area available if you want a detached garage.  Land can be an important factor in choosing which garage you want to build, you need to ensure that you have the proper footage along the side of the garage so that your permits will be approved.  You don’t really want to go through an exemption process, as that could delay the project greatly.

Levels

Many garages have an upper level or attic, where you can store old household items that you rarely use, but aren’t ready to dispose of yet. If you want this kind of structure, it might cost you a bit more.

Garage Door

You can select the garage door that best suits your budget and taste. There are several types of garage doors available, ranging from the functional to the fancy. A steel door will provide high-quality protection, and is easy on the budget. But it will not be as attractive as a sculpted wooden door, which will cost more. Adding windows to your garage door also adds to the cost.  Adding windows is very common for homes that have a value of greater than $250,000.

Additional Accessories

The cost of the garage will also depend on the type of siding you choose, such as brick, wood or vinyl. Also, other features such as heating and air-conditioning, cabinet installation, skylights and stairs to the attic will all add to the cost.

When you are looking to add a garage to your home, please consider using MCM Contractors to assist you with this project.

BBB Recommends that you ask questions when hiring a contractor

27 Questions For Home Owners (from the Better Business Bureau)

The best way to avoid trouble with any business transaction is to be a knowledgeable consumer. Better Business Bureau has prepared the following 27 Questions For Homeowners to quiz your knowledge about remodeling, re-roofing, re-siding, waterproofing and other home improvements. Each question indicates an area in which complaints have been reported to BBB. Weigh every word carefully and check every question. If you already have an offer for the work compare it against the quiz and see if you should proceed. Regardless of all 27 Questions, if you find an advertiser is a “Bait” advertiser of any articles or services for the home, don’t do business with them! Baiting is “Knocking” the advertised job or its unavailability. If they try to trick you by “Bait” advertising, the chances are they will try to trick you some other way too, for their profit and your loss. You can’t trust a “Bait” Advertiser.

Remember : The reliability of the seller is a most important factor in the purchase of any article or service.

Check each “Yes” or “No,” then by adding up the total of your “minuses,” you will have an idea as to whether you are ready to proceed.

Do you know name of salesperson and name and local address of company?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Do you know, or have you investigated to determine, before signing the contract, that the company is of good reputation, dependable, responsible?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Have you asked the salesperson or company for references?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Does salesperson try to “high pressure” you into signing a contract?
Yes -_____ No +_____

Has the company or salesperson represented to you that your home would be used for advertising purposes, as a model job, or show-house, or by display of their sign, and that for this you would be given a special price?
Yes -_____ No +_____

If any guarantee is given, is it in writing in the contract, clear and specific as to what it means and as to what will be done in event of trouble?
Yes +_____ No -_____

In reference to long-time guarantees, have you reason to believe that the company will be in existence or financially able to or willing to fulfill the guarantee, 10, 15 or 20 years later?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Have you obtained more than one bid on the same job on exactly the same specifications?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Are the salesperson and company authorized to represent the manufacturer they claim to represent?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Does company provide liability and compensation insurance to protect you in event of accident?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Do you know what brand, grade or quality of siding or shingles or roofing this company will use?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Do you know by what bank or financing agency your contract or note would be financed?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Before signing a contract, have you consulted your own bank or financing agency about financing this job?
Yes +_____ No -_____

To arrange for an F.H.A. insured loan, or a loan from your bank, or by mortgage on your home, or by refinancing your mortgage, have you obtained estimates or quotations on the job, in order to consult the bank before signing a contract?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Has it been represented that F.H.A. has anything to do with performance of the company or guarantee of the job, other than merely insuring the loan granted by your bank?
Yes -_____ No +_____

If work is to be sublet, will you be protected against liens on your home?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Regarding any repairs for which you expect to collect insurance have you checked with the insurance company first, before signing a contract?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Does the contract contain the name and street address of company; specifications such as type and extent of work; when to be done or completed; areas; extras; description of materials such as quality, grade or name, weight, color, style, etc.; total cost, finance charges, annual percentage rate of interest, etc.?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Are the things you want done specified clearly in the contract?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Does the contract contain important verbal representations on which you depend?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Does the contract contain a provision for payment of damages by you if you cancel the contract?
Yes -_____ No +_____

Are you asked to sign the contract in blank?
Yes -_____ No +_____

Have you read and do you understand the contract completely before signing and are you to be given complete, readable copy signed by salesperson or company?
Yes +____ No -_____

Does your contract promise labor only, with you to pay in advance for or furnish all materials?
Yes -_____ No +_____

Are you asked to pay in advance, or to pay cash to a salesperson instead of by check or money order to the company itself?
Yes -_____ No +_____

If the contract is to be signed in your home, does it contain a three day recision or “cooling off” clause permitting you to cancel it without penalty?
Yes +_____ No -_____

Are you asked to sign a completion certificate for the job by appeal, threat, or trick, before the job is properly completed.
Yes -_____ No +____

You can view and print the BBB Document here:
http://our.bbb.org/boston/Public/Reports/RR/PopUp/Tip.aspx?id=50