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May 05, 2005
Stations, it's the season to get out on the deck, and the question is: how safe is your deck? Virginia Tech Wood Science and Forest Products Professor Joseph Loferski (low-FUR-ski) has been studying deck failures in the United States.
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Cut 1:
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Loferski says one surprise he's found is that, most of the time, deck collapses occur at levels well below the rated weight capacity for the structure.
IN: And we find...
RUNS: 22
OUT: ...deck still can fail. |
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Cut 2:
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That happens, Loferski says, because the attachment of the deck to the house is often weaker than it should be?sometimes nails are used instead of bolts, and sometimes the non-pressure treated wood of the house decays.
IN: Because of this critical...
RUNS: 16
OUT: ...the deck will collapse |
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Cut 3:
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Loferski says deck collapses can be serious, and they average about one per week in the United States during the summer.
IN: Because many decks...
RUNS: 17
OUT: ...barbeque grill involved. |
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Cut 4:
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Loferski says homeowners should visually inspect the deck-to-house connection at least once a year, and preferably, they should have it inspected by a professional.
IN: Certainly...
RUNS: 24
OUT: ...pressure-treated wood. |
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Cut 5:
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Loferski says owners should forget to check the guard rails as well.
IN: They should be looking...
RUNS: 16
OUT: ...above the deck's surface. |
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Cut 6:
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Finally, Loferski says he's bewildered by the number of deck collapses that occur?when there should be none.
IN: It's quite...
RUNS: 18
OUT: ...to pay attention to.
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