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Methods for Attaching a Deck to Your Home

May 28, 2015 | Decks, Home Maintenance, Home Saftey, Homeowners, Safe & Healthy Home

attaching a deck

LedgerLOK versus Lag Bolts

Received a phone call today regarding ledger bolts being used for attaching a deck to a house instead of lag bolts.

Here is what I found:

Many years ago, it was standard practice to attach a deck to a house using nails, and for years, there were no real issues. However, the wood would swell from moisture as time passed and then dry out and shrink.

This process created three issues:

  1. As wood swelled, the movement will cause the nails to back out of the lumber much like what we still encounter with our deck floor when it is installed with nails.
  2. The swelling and shrinking would loosen the nails in the sub-structure so they would no longer hold the deck tight to the side of the house.
  3. The moisture around the nails would cause corrosion, and the nails would deteriorate and become loose.

Today’s Market

Unfortunately, many decks collapsed, and many people got hurt. It took some time to adjust our practices, and we now know that the safest and most long-term method of attaching a deck to a home is with bolts, and the most recognized method is lag bolts.

In today’s market, there are other alternatives, such as LOK Line. They manufacture a full line of bolts designed for many applications, especially for attaching decks to homes. The 2009 and 2012 IRC (International Residential Code) section R502.2.2.1 requires galvanized lag screws or bolts.

LedgerLOK bolts meet the above criteria and were approved under ICC Acceptance Criteria AC233 (ESR #1078).

Sorry, I got technical there, and no, I am not a code inspector, and during a home inspection, I do not inspect for code. My research has shown that using the LedgerLok bolts to attach decks to homes in old construction is an acceptable alternative to lag bolts. I will direct your questions to your local code officials in new construction.

How is your deck feeling today? Saggy, droopy, ready to give up?

Tune in next time.

Aztec Home Inspections provides professional inspection services to customers in Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.