WHEN WOOD ROT KILLS

A couple of months ago in June 2015, a balcony of a residential townhouse building collapsed and killed six students in Berkeley, California. The wood balcony had severe dry rot causing structural damage and was the source of the support structure failing.

The victims were in their early 20's.

The balcony was in a property called Library Gardens which is less than 10 years old.  The balcony was cantilevered, meaning it was supported by beams protruding from the side of the building.  The supporting beams were connected to the exterior wall.

A memorandum from inspectors at the Berkeley Building and Safety Division stated that: "The deck's severed joist ends-horizontal, parallel beams that support a ceiling or floor looked extensively rotted where the structure had ripped from the wall.  The splintered ends appeared to be severely rotted.  A lower floor balcony also appears to be dry rotted, potentially presenting a danger of structural failure."  The Building Department declared this balcony, "unsafe and a collapse hazard endangering public safety."

There are many wood framed townhouse complexes in Hawaii.  Some of these are located in Hawaii Kai, Mililani, Pearl City, Pearlridge, Waipio, Ewa and other areas.  Wood structure buildings should be inspected every year for peeling paint and termite and wood rot damage. Siding, trim, eaves, stairs, support posts, decks and other areas should be inspected and any damages repaired right away.  All decks should be waterproofed to protect the exposed wood members.

Wood construction of balconies and decks are common for low rise townhouse type residential buildings.   Horizontal beams, or joists that hold up the floor inside the apartment most likely extend through the exterior to hold up the deck.  Thereby wood is exposed to the elements. 

Wood rot, also known as dry rot, can make a beam that appears sturdy porous enough to crumble on contact.  This is because water that gets into wood starts a growth of mold, algae and fungus that feeds on the wood.  If the wood is not properly protected by either paint or waterproofing, the wood is exposed to the rain and sun.  Wood is cellulose and acts like a sponge.  It soaks up water.  Needless to say, water and wood are a bad combination.  Have you ever seen a heavy cardboard box left out in the rain?  Imagine a deck looking like that after many years.

Many townhouse complexes were built in the 1970's and were not designed properly.   For instance the bottoms of wood stair stringers were sitting directly on soil with no termite protection.  Deck structures were framed without any flashing.

When you conduct your inspections, look for split or decayed/rotted wood, failed paint, rusted flashing (if there is any flashing), corroded nail heads and fasteners at stairs and railings.  Search for any signs of trapped or ponded water.  Inspect closely at all wood connections because sometimes wood rot is hard to see and hidden under paint or dirt.  Use a screw driver or ice pick to probe suspected areas.

Do not let residents store potted plants on decks without catch pans.   Do not let anyone keep their green outdoor carpet as it traps water and causes wood rot that is not visible while covering it up.  Inspect underneath outdoor floor coverings.

For further information, contact NADRA (North American Deck and Railing Association) and visit: www.nadra.org.  Download their free Check Your Deck Consumer Checklist handout.

You can always contact me.  Let's work together on Deck Safety Awareness.

Communicate to you in the next newsletter wherein I will share more vital information gained from recent travels.    

Keep safe.

Lance Luke

422-2132  or email me: