While some home projects are extremely difficult, there are some that are relatively easy, such as dock construction. With that being said, though, there are a few mistakes that people tend to do when building their deck. These can end up being costly mistakes, so keep reading to see what 5 of the common ones are!
1. Forgetting to Seal
One of the biggest mistakes people make with decks is that they forget to actually seal the wood. Many people just focus on building the deck and completely forget about protecting the wood from the elements. Since there are many different types of sealant, you want to make sure you choose the one that is best for your area. For instance, living in an area with only the hot sun means you want to get one that will prevent fading, while living somewhere with a lot of rain or snow means you want to get one that will prevent warping. The best thing to do is research the different kinds and now what you need before going to the store.
2. Forgetting the Permit
Many people also tend to forget the permit. The laws and rules are going to differ from place to place, but not having a permit can lead to some serious consequences. While some areas might not require you to have one at all, other places might require you to jump through several hoops before you can even get one. Just like the rules, the consequences will differ from place to place. It could be anything from having to remove the deck to having to pay some hefty fines. Before starting the job, make sure you do research for your area and see what is needed.
3. Incorrect Equipment
Another common mistake with building decks is people using the wrong equipment. Depending on how you’re building your deck, this could be anything from the type of wood to the screws to the fasteners. Before buying all your equipment, you want to check and double check to see what you’ll need. Not only do you want to make sure everything is the correct size, but you also want to make sure it’s all made from the right materials. If you aren’t sure what you’ll need, you could always consult a professional.
4. Messing Up Joist Spacing
Another common mistake is messing up joist spacing. It might not seem like a big deal, but joists are what can make or break your deck. These are what will bear most of the load and different types of wood will need different spacing requirements. Some might need to be closer, while others might be fine with a little more space. If you really aren’t sure what the space requirements are for your specific materials, you’ll want to consult a professional or try and find someone who has built a similar deck.
5. No Handrails
One final mistake that people do is not add handrails. Even if it seems like the deck isn’t that high, you want to make sure you have handrails and rails around it. Not only will this make it look great, you also won’t have to worry about people falling off and possibly having to pay a bunch of money!
These are only 5 mistakes that can happen with dock construction and you want to make sure you try and avoid them at all costs. It’s much better to take a little bit of extra time and money to ensure the deck is done right than having to go back and spend even more time and money fixing these mistakes
