I built a deck less than 30 inches high, but did not connect to house so maintained integrity of existing house, no ledger issues. I built above code for spans and footers, but no inspection was needed. A free floating deck is super easy, just some extra footings near the house, a slight inner canteliver, inner rim, and a little bit of extra bracing. Looks like it is attached to house. Napkin plans. Btw, you don't have to be a pro to build a basic deck, but watching Dr. Deck can help you avoid a lot of pitfalls.
Hey Doc! I have watched a couple of your videos and they are entertaining and informative. I just got done watching "Key Minimum Code Requirements For Deck Building Explained". I have a question for you. When you were building the deck that is basically sitting on grade, you mentioned using that large concrete footing. What is code for your footings as far as depth? Do you live in a northern state where you do get frost in the winter? If you are using that large footing for the deck on grade, you must have to bury the footing completely? Your not digging down 48"? Using that footing seems to be over kill for on grade deck. Right? When using that large of a footing, does that reduce the amount of additional footings that you will need in between corners? I would think that if you live in a colder climate whether your deck is on grade or 48" above ground you still need to have the proper footing and pier to deter movement with the seasons, even if its attached to the house? Correct? If you could let me know, that would really be helpful. Lastly, what deck program do you use for designing your decks? Thank you, Rob C.
My master bedroom is above the kitchen. There is a bay sliding glass door from the kitchen opening out to the back yard. How do you install a ledger board above the bay door?
I have a 1923 Carriage House that’s leaning in a historical district and I’m interested in a wraparound deck finding a price and Engineer in the city of Long Beach. Can you help with these questions to get me started
Deck requirements are great but they always lack ramp building to a deck... if your ramp building to a deck over a 5inch driveway do you need to cut up the drive way and sink a footing for 8 inches?
I'm designing my deck right now, drawing up the construction plans, and getting my ducks in a row to file a permit application. My county is one of those that require a permit if the deck is attached to the house, even though my deck height is going to be under 30 inches. Also, I live within 1000 ft of water in the Chesapeake watershed, so I have to submit a request for a Critical Area Variance and fill out a Standard Grading Plan worksheet. Right now I'm trying to determine how many square feet of my lot is "Wooded Area", and how many square feet is "Impervious Coverage". 🙄I just want to build a freakin' deck, not do an environmental impact assessment!
So what I’d like to see you do a video that covers resurfacing a existing deck. Every aspect. I need to do this! Also a video on installing aluminum railings with blocking!
Lumber rated for ground contact should theoretically last longer than lumber not rated for ground contact. No problem doing this, it should last longer.
What's your opinion on a composite deck done in the herringbone pattern? With or without the center breaker board? I know you don't like doing miter cuts so would you prefer no beaker board and just square cut the ends where they meet to a zig zag pattern?
I clicked so I could judge, lets see... Well not bad but in MI your going to need footers below frost line 4' unless its free floating under 12" my pet peeve is never put wood in theground, not even fences I think that should be code. Also Sketch Up is a easy drawing program.
I’ve built decks and porches for 25 years. Never had a permit or inspection. They are all still standing and no call backs. Engineers for decks???? Lol where do you live?
@@SeattleLife365dang. Me and my buddy just finished his house. 2500 square feet and didn’t pull a single permit. The Appalachian mountains are not strict on building permits. East Tennessee is beautiful and the government doesn’t have their hand out wanting their cut. I also have a buddy who lives in California and he said 6-7 different inspectors showed up at his house because he wanted to build a 8’x6’ shed in the back yard to put his lawnmower and yard tools. He said there was a mile of red tape and all kinds of permits he had to buy to get it done.
@@joe1071You should look up a video of a house in Chatham county NC. His house is about to fall down even though it had been permitted and inspected by the county. Permits and inspections are a false sense of security.
Guys can know and cheat the codes, it's about a man's moral ground. A moral compass and a read of that said compass is key. Initial into and how to build relationships 101 . It's a real nature nuture world out there.
Only a minute into the video, but your first fact is incorrect. In my area, there are still (a) no permits, (b) no inspections, (c) no zoning, & (d) no building code requirements enforced. (Since there isn't a state or county government engineering/permitting dept, period, for "private" construction. Contractors don't have to get business licenses either.)
Might have told us the drawing program you’re using! Might have addressed the size of support posts.
I built a deck less than 30 inches high, but did not connect to house so maintained integrity of existing house, no ledger issues. I built above code for spans and footers, but no inspection was needed. A free floating deck is super easy, just some extra footings near the house, a slight inner canteliver, inner rim, and a little bit of extra bracing. Looks like it is attached to house. Napkin plans. Btw, you don't have to be a pro to build a basic deck, but watching Dr. Deck can help you avoid a lot of pitfalls.
Did u do poured footings or deck blocks?
what software do you use to draw your plans you submit for permit?
What CAD -Drafting program do you use for technical drawings?
Yea….I would like to know also. Missing information.
Same here. Toronto is anything attached but under 24” in the suburbs is fine.
What program do you use for designing your decks? I'm looking at buy CAD pro
Planning to build a deck so I am definitely paying attention to all your videos
Can you tell us what software your using for your permit submittals
Hey Doc! I have watched a couple of your videos and they are entertaining and informative. I just got done watching "Key Minimum Code Requirements For Deck Building Explained". I have a question for you. When you were building the deck that is basically sitting on grade, you mentioned using that large concrete footing. What is code for your footings as far as depth? Do you live in a northern state where you do get frost in the winter? If you are using that large footing for the deck on grade, you must have to bury the footing completely? Your not digging down 48"? Using that footing seems to be over kill for on grade deck. Right? When using that large of a footing, does that reduce the amount of additional footings that you will need in between corners? I would think that if you live in a colder climate whether your deck is on grade or 48" above ground you still need to have the proper footing and pier to deter movement with the seasons, even if its attached to the house? Correct? If you could let me know, that would really be helpful.
Lastly, what deck program do you use for designing your decks?
Thank you,
Rob C.
Nice video. I am also a contractor and appreciate how you covered code. What do you do about lateral restraints required in r507.9.2?
why did you choose to have exposed footers and not have the beam run wild a bit to hide that when done
Hey J, what computer app do you use for your plans ?
Bigger, joist hangers, not only look nicer, but you have more nails for support.
For sure. But hey, I have had Truss Nails work their way out only to have to go back with screws. Go figure?
My master bedroom is above the kitchen. There is a bay sliding glass door from the kitchen opening out to the back yard. How do you install a ledger board above the bay door?
I have a 1923 Carriage House that’s leaning in a historical district and I’m interested in a wraparound deck finding a price and Engineer in the city of Long Beach.
Can you help with these questions to get me started
The property accessor wants to know how much to raise your property tax
LOL. You got that RIGHT!
Nice video. Quick question. Do you need any sort of general contractor or other license to build decks?
License
Depends where you are, check with your local municipality.
i would love for you to critique my new deck that i built myself. would you be up for that?
Deck requirements are great but they always lack ramp building to a deck... if your ramp building to a deck over a 5inch driveway do you need to cut up the drive way and sink a footing for 8 inches?
Is it true your no longer allowed to fasten your ledger to the house anymore
What about redoing a deck?when does a permit become required?
No permit needed in my town
I'm designing my deck right now, drawing up the construction plans, and getting my ducks in a row to file a permit application. My county is one of those that require a permit if the deck is attached to the house, even though my deck height is going to be under 30 inches. Also, I live within 1000 ft of water in the Chesapeake watershed, so I have to submit a request for a Critical Area Variance and fill out a Standard Grading Plan worksheet. Right now I'm trying to determine how many square feet of my lot is "Wooded Area", and how many square feet is "Impervious Coverage". 🙄I just want to build a freakin' deck, not do an environmental impact assessment!
Just build it fast and up to code.
What if you have a deck continues on two levels. Does the 30jnch rule apply to higher ground?
I think you need permit anyway, lower level comes for free.
So what I’d like to see you do a video that covers resurfacing a existing deck. Every aspect. I need to do this! Also a video on installing aluminum railings with blocking!
My town didn’t require a permit for my 12x12 deck 7 feet off the ground at all which is ridiculous.
No plan is complete without a sweet looking, "Center Fold" view!!!
Can the guy doing my deck use all ground contact pressure treated lumber to do the whole thing?
Lumber rated for ground contact should theoretically last longer than lumber not rated for ground contact. No problem doing this, it should last longer.
Building department [ YA the supreme power , more light a flaming bag of dog poop on the pouch ] “O WELL “ guess this plan not getting approved 😂
What's your opinion on a composite deck done in the herringbone pattern? With or without the center breaker board?
I know you don't like doing miter cuts so would you prefer no beaker board and just square cut the ends where they meet to a zig zag pattern?
I clicked so I could judge, lets see... Well not bad but in MI your going to need footers below frost line 4' unless its free floating under 12" my pet peeve is never put wood in theground, not even fences I think that should be code. Also Sketch Up is a easy drawing program.
Doctor? Glad I'm not sick. 😂
@drdecks, you’ve been fooled if you think building departments actually care about your safety.
He knows. He just doesn’t want to get red tagged.
I’ve built decks and porches for 25 years. Never had a permit or inspection. They are all still standing and no call backs. Engineers for decks???? Lol where do you live?
Washington state it’s a real head ache
@@SeattleLife365dang. Me and my buddy just finished his house. 2500 square feet and didn’t pull a single permit. The Appalachian mountains are not strict on building permits. East Tennessee is beautiful and the government doesn’t have their hand out wanting their cut. I also have a buddy who lives in California and he said 6-7 different inspectors showed up at his house because he wanted to build a 8’x6’ shed in the back yard to put his lawnmower and yard tools. He said there was a mile of red tape and all kinds of permits he had to buy to get it done.
Congrats. I’d rather buy a house that was permitted and inspected rather than trust some good ol boys word that it was made right
@@joe1071You should look up a video of a house in Chatham county NC. His house is about to fall down even though it had been permitted and inspected by the county.
Permits and inspections are a false sense of security.
Guys can know and cheat the codes, it's about a man's moral ground. A moral compass and a read of that said compass is key. Initial into and how to build relationships 101 . It's a real nature nuture world out there.
Only a minute into the video, but your first fact is incorrect. In my area, there are still (a) no permits, (b) no inspections, (c) no zoning, & (d) no building code requirements enforced. (Since there isn't a state or county government engineering/permitting dept, period, for "private" construction. Contractors don't have to get business licenses either.)
Great “plain English” advice
Sounds like a small porch will cost me $15,000.
?
Follow codes. Permits are for suckers.
Except when your neighbor reports your work and you get a cease work order.
Pesky neighbors
Or after you finish, they make you take it down.