Deck project done wrong!

[California]

This photo is like those drawings where you are asked to identify what's wrong. Clue - Everything!

Not my project! Just something unbelievably stupid I saw online. Source.

The worst aspect is a serious safety screwup: The difference in elevation stepping down from the deck to the top stair tread, will be huge. Way beyond code. And not identical to the rise of the lower stairs. Surprise! Then that top stair tread is unexpectedly narrow.

Lots more problems. Somebody posted this asking "Does my contractor know what he's doing" with regard to a minor aspect. Oh h*** no!

 

[319Quahog]

The only thing that really bugs me there is the different tread depth for the top stair and the stringers setting in the dirt waiting to rot. Add on the fact it doesn't look like PT either.

My new back deck's stairs are steep and I'm OK with that. We have no inspections or permits or any of that garbage here.

 

[ArlyA]

How are the steps attached to the deck?

 

[thepumpguysc]

I was looking at that too ArlyA.!! No hangers.. & the stringer sitting in the dirt is a no-no.. a couple of paver stones would take care of that..

 

[ArlyA]

I was looking at that too ArlyA.!! No hangers.. & the stringer sitting in the dirt is a no-no.. a couple of paver stones would take care of that..

A stringer in the dirt would need to be ground contact treated here. The OP isn't posting many necessary details.

 

[California]

It looks like the steps on the right side don't have equal rise. This is likely to make someone fall sooner or later. But not before they fall at the big step down from the deck to the tiny stair tread.

The deck needs a post at the outer corner.

And I don't see why they didn't build the deck lower, one step down from the doorway, closer to the level of that concrete deck at the right side.

 

[EddieWalker]

Back in the 90's I knew a guy who's family owned a bunch of Apartment Buildings in the East Bay of California. They where sued by an Insurance Company because their client fell while climbing the stairs to their apartment. The reason they where sued is that the steps where not all the exact same height. I think a couple of them where half to 3/4 of an inch different. From what I remember, the max difference was a quarter of an inch. Anything more is a safety issue and grounds for a lawsuit.

When building a deck, I make sure that every step is exactly the same height. My goal is 7 inches, but if it's more or less, what's important is that they are all exactly the same.

I can't see in the picture, but my biggest issue with deck builds is the lack of a beam under the joists. Too often the joists also double as beams. The other thing is how the beam is supported. It's very common for DIY people to rely on nails to support the load of a beam. And just about every time they use a beam, it's undersized for the span.

 

[Snobdds]

Who knows, maybe the price makes up for all the mistakes.

I know plenty of cheap asses that would look past the mistakes if they got a good deal on it. And trust me, there are contractors that cater to these people.

 

[plowhog]

I don't see why they didn't build the deck lower, one step down from the doorway,

Not defending the build, but my neighbor who uses a wheelchair has a similar design.

By eliminating a step at the door she has mobility, on her own without assistance, to get onto the outside deck, then back. Kind of a small deck for that, though.

 

[Runner]

If it were my house, those would be concrete forms....