Written by Jim the Realtor

December 8, 2010

Here’s an example of JtR on the job – pointing out tired old wood that’s been glossed over:

7 Comments

  1. Thaylor Harmor

    That ‘sister’ beams and that pole under the deck was scary! If I was a buyer I would knock off $15 to redo the deck from the price. I’m surprised that would pass inspection.

    Yep its Wood: http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7270/identifyingwood.jpg

  2. ChrisP

    Given up the secrets! 😉 We were allowed to fill up to 30% of the wood when the damage was caused by termite infestation. I saw many times when much more than 30% had been consumed yet companies still used patching compounds to fill it… But once the termites are dead the damage stops.

    Rot on the other hand needs to be removed totally. Never patched. Though some will try…

  3. robosigner

    keep the wood dry.Once pathogens start it can rot fast.Necropytes love dead wood.Usually the heartwood of the tree is the most resistant to rot.I often see redwood at home depot the has sapwood and partial heartwood, it is junk.If you are buying redwood for your deck make sure it is all heartwood.Cedar is fairly rot resistant too.Just maintain your wood!

  4. Local Boy

    My four-leeter word of the day–TREX

  5. Art Eclectic

    Local Boy – WORD.

    Why anyone would cheap out and build with wood when there is a substitute available that will never rot, never succumb to termites and never needs refinishing is just insane.

  6. Jinx

    Thanks Jim. That video is just another good reason why I read your blog daily.

  7. Aztec

    The patched stuff. It’s not carrying much load, and it’s thick wood. While not pretty, it’s likely just fine for a long long time. And likely just moisture damage/weather wear rather than termites (same with the other areas).

    The sistered joists. It’s easy to test whether the original was in very bad shape. Poke it with a screwdriver. I don’t like how the sisters aren’t even running full length, and then are bolted to the original with just a few skimpy bolts. I’m sure an engineer and inspector never knew about that one.

    The metal post. No big deal, as you mention, some strapping across it would help. Decks are highly imperfect structures, and typically don’t fit together as tightly as furniture!

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