That time a neighbor told me my deck screws were all the wrong kind and I had to redo half the framing

My neighbor Jim walked over one Saturday morning while I was building a 12x16 deck in my backyard in Toledo and pointed out I was using coated deck screws instead of structural screws for the ledger board, something about shear strength and code that I'd never heard of before, so I pulled out 30 screws and replaced them with Simpson Strong-Tie screws, has anyone else had a neighbor give you a build tip that saved you from a big mistake?

2 comments

2 Comments

finleycooper5d ago

Jim also told me my hammer was too light. I switched to a 22oz and never looked back.

emerycarr5d ago

Used to swear by a 16oz until I tried a buddy's 22oz framing nailer. Changed my whole perspective on swing weight.