Building A Roof Deck

By Robert Robillard

  Roof Deck Construction This article, Building a Roof Deck was inspired after a client recently asked if I would replace her badly worn out roof deck. This wooden deck was built over her screen porch and on top of a flat roof. It’s not really flat: it’s pitched ¼’ per foot but without a spirit…

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Deck Blocking

By Scott Arnold

Installing Joist Blocking on a Deck Joist blocking, also called bridging, can be used for a variety of reasons, such as: Point loads Strengthening guard rail posts Preventing mid-span joist bounce or deflection Preventing joist twisting Adding mid span joist blocking prevents joist bounce and adds rigidity to long joist spans. Blocking additionally prevents joists from…

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Deck Safety

By Robert Robillard

Deck Replacement or Repair? There are approximately 40 million decks in the United States and only half of those are code compliant.  Deck safety is a real problem. Every year we hear about decks that collapse under the weight of people or snow load. If you have an existing deck that is more than 3…

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Removing A Cantilevered Balcony

By Robert Robillard

Removing A Balcony And Installing A Railing The second floor balcony on front of this house has been leaking into the garage ceiling below for some time. After going back and forth on whether to repair the leak it was decided to remove the balcony and install a railing across the doorway. We staged the…

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How to Repair Concrete Deck Anchor Bolt

By Robert Robillard

How To Replace A Deck Footing Threaded Bolts Even the best carpenters I know sometimes pour a footing that is off or place the threaded J-bolt [anchor bolt] in the wrong location.  This article will show you how to repair concrete deck anchor bolt when placed in the wrong location. Concrete Footings and J-Bolts Concrete…

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Choosing The Best Fence And Deck Materials

By Robert Robillard

Choosing Material For Outdoor Projects: If you’ve been staring at your tired or failing deck this summer and wish you could replace it, but are unsure where to start. This brief tutorial will get your outdoor project off the ground. Whether you want to build a deck, repair an existing porch, or want to add…

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Onfloor Floor Refinishing Tool

By Robert Robillard

Floor Refinishing – One Tool Does Hardwood, Concrete And Outdoor Decks Home remodeling has enemies, most notably time & money. I’ve always wished there was a tool that would provide you the muscle you need to defend yourself from these neighborhood bullies. For deck restoration it’s hard to find a machine or complete process that’s…

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Repairing A Mahogany Deck

By Robert Robillard

Repairing A Mahogany Deck on a Historic House: Today my main goal was to finish screwing down the 1×4 mahogany decking. I have been using 2 1/2″ self drilling stainless steel screws and pre-drilling all the butt joints. The downspout drain pipe shown in the corner runs through the deck and into a dry well…

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