Building a Deck: Mistakes to Avoid

When you are planning to build a deck, you should be aware of the common mistakes people make in the construction process. Here are some of the common errors to building a deck:

Nails, Bolts, and Rust

Steel fasteners such as screws, bolts, and nails should be galvanised so they’re protected from corrosion which naturally happens between moisture, steel, and the tannis the wood has. Galvanised fasteners cost a little bit more, but using ordinary fixings would most likely mean having your deck undergo major repairs in just one to two years.

Not getting the right building permit

Failure to obtain approval from relevant authorities for your deck could definitely lead to problems. Before staring your decking project, make sure you have the right information and permit. Authorities have all the rights to force you to alter or even take down your deck entirely if you fail to observe their building requirements.

Deck boards not straight

In building a deck, deck boards that aren’t straight isn’t a structural issue, but it’s surely very ugly. The simplest method to laying deck boards is by installing a grid board (every 5th deck board) to a straight line. To obtain a straight line for the grid board, use a chalk line to mark where each board goes. A chalk line is a string covered in chalk which leaves a straight line once flicked against the wood. It will serve as a helpful guide. Then completely nail off the grid boards. Install the rest of the boards using wood wedges from decking off cuts (these are left over short timber pieces) to space the boards in between grid boards evenly.

Leaking Roof

The most common roof leaks come from over tightened screws for the roof. While the roof screws are over tightened, the rubber washer that is intended to seal the roof sheet is damaged. This makes the washer unable to seal the hole in the roof which the screw made, creating an entry point for rain water.

Sagging Ceiling

In building a deck, a sagging ceiling is usually due to ceiling supports which are fixed very far apart. When the ceiling was mounted, it might have been flat and straight, but after about 6 months, the moist air will make the ceiling sheets soft. This will make the ceiling to sag if they do not have enough structure to support them. The ceiling will also have a wave effect. Always mount the ceiling sheets based on the instructions from the manufacturer.