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his manual, published in cooperation with the International Code Council (ICC) and written by Cheryl Anderson, Frank Woeste, and Joesph Loferski, is intended for use by home inspectors, renovation contractors, consulting engineers, homebuilders, and building code officials interested in the inspection of residential wood decks built with conventional framing lumber. Homeowners who own wood deck structures will also find parts of the manual helpful in the proper maintenance of wood decks. Information includes:

• Preparation for Inspection – information that should be gathered, the inspection plan, and recommended equipment for an inspection.
• What to Look For – general points useful in all aspects of the inspection including proper installation of lumber and connections, National Design Specification® (NDS) requirements, the quality of the elements, decay hazard based on location, and the use of details that provide protection against decay and insects.
• Inspection – a systematic inspection approach including the preparation of plans and elevations and recommended inspection procedures for all structural elements and the connection system at the house.
• Analysis – descriptions of structural calculations that may be needed and resources available for the calculations.
• Report – Recommendations for the content of a complete deck inspection report prepared for a homeowner with a suggested format.

The appendix contains additional information on the “pick test” for detecting early surface decay, information on deck attachment issues, a sample report of a comprehensive deck inspection, and lists of accredited grading and lumber treating agencies. The sample report includes sample calculations with details on where to find the necessary information.

Copyright 2003, 8-1/2 by 11 softcover, 76 pages, #7243