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Deck balusters (3 or 4) split when nailed--replace?

8K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  MTN REMODEL LLC 
#1 ·
Hi --

I need advice about a new deck that a contractor constructed for us (completed yesterday). We just noticed today that 3 or 4 or the deck balusters are split at the lower end, from the nailing. The contractor is coming back on Monday to do some roof work, and I want to point these out to him and ask him to replace them. We like the contractor and overall appreciate the good work.

My spouse thinks we should let this go - I think we should discuss this with the contractor.

Advice?

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
Hi --

I need advice about a new deck that a contractor constructed for us (completed yesterday). We just noticed today that 3 or 4 or the deck balusters are split at the lower end, from the nailing. The contractor is coming back on Monday to do some roof work, and I want to point these out to him and ask him to replace them. We like the contractor and overall appreciate the good work.

My spouse thinks we should let this go - I think we should discuss this with the contractor.

Advice?

Thanks.
The balusters should be replaced. Suggest to the contractor the concept of, "pre drilling". They love the guidance.
Ron
 
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#3 ·
Um, Ron--they love the guidance? You're going to get me yelled at, I think. :)

They did work fast, as my husband pointed out, and so didn't pre-drill the holes--which I wouldn't have cared about if the splitting hadn't shown up. How would you do it: would you say "Scott, I'd like to have these balusters replaced b/c of the splitting" or "Scott--these balusters split because they weren't pre-drilled" and wait to see what he says.
 
#6 ·
Don’t tell your contractor "how to do it", especially if all else is good. Just ask him to change the 3-4 pickets. It should take 5-10 min.

A small punch list from customers is a very common thing and any contractor that cares about customer satisfaction and good referrals won’t bat a eye.

If he spends 20 min. telling you why he shouldn’t make you happy with a 5 min. fix then hold back some bucks at the end till he does.
 
#7 ·
....
If he spends 20 min. telling you why he shouldn’t make you happy with a 5 min. fix then hold back some bucks at the end till he does.
If only. I paid him before he left on Thursday. Naive, I guess - it never occurred to me to closely inspect things. I just admired the overall work and wrote the check.

I under-counted before: there are 11 balusters with cracks. :censored: I'm assuming that any contractor with a reputation to maintain would be glad for the chance to put this right, especially since we've arranged with him to do some roof repair and would be glad to recommend him in the future.

Right?
 
#9 · (Edited)
Continuing saga of our deck

The contractor who built our deck placed the deck floor boards right together. My husband asked him about spacing since he had in the past built a deck by our pool and had left open space between boards. The contractor, though, told him that as the boards dried, the proper amount of space would open up between them. So in addition to the split-baluster problem, now I'm worried that the deck floor hasn't been done properly, and that rain water is simply going to always pool on the deck as it has been doing these last few days (apparently building a deck affects the upper atmosphere, causing increased rain...:wink:)

Should I be worried?
 
#13 ·
We live in the upper northwest corner of S.C. The wood is pine, which I know tends to split.
Is this pressure treated southern yellow pine? If so, it shouldn't be an issue. You said he did the other deck. Was the installation the same? Are there any issues with that deck?
Ron
 
#14 ·
No, my husband did the other one, years ago, but it's a ground-level deck, no railings so no balusters to worry about. (Sorry - I added the deck floor question to the original thread on balusters; may be confusing.) But on this new contractor-built deck, about 11 balusters have splits at the site where the nails were air-hammered in, so I've been seeking (and getting) advice about how to handle that with the contractor when he returns to do some roof work (Wed.). Thanks!
 
#15 ·
No, my husband did the other one, years ago, but it's a ground-level deck, no railings so no balusters to worry about. (Sorry - I added the deck floor question to the original thread on balusters; may be confusing.) But on this new contractor-built deck, about 11 balusters have splits at the site where the nails were air-hammered in, so I've been seeking (and getting) advice about how to handle that with the contractor when he returns to do some roof work (Wed.). Thanks!
It would help if you answered the questions.
It doesn't really matter who did the other deck, but more about the construction methodology. The type of wood and the way it was installed.
Ron
 
#16 ·
Ron, thanks for your reply & comments. Our contractor-built new deck is Southern yellow pine, pressure-treated. I went online & found that it IS correct to place those boards together, so I'm relieved about that. My concern that led me to this great forum is about the balusters that surround the deck - 11 of them (at last count!) have split at the ends where the nails were nail-gunned in. I gather from all the previous comments that I should certainly bring up the issue with the contractor, that this kind of problem can happen, and that a good contractor will want to protect his name & reputation, and replace the balusters. (All the stuff about the older deck that my husband built really isn't relevant to the new deck - just that he had spaced the deck boards apart, so we didn't know that the contractor's method was to put them close together.)

Sorry if my messages have been confusing, and for the delay in answering questions. Had to be away from the computer for a while.
 
#17 ·
Hate to give you my opinion..... Willie T is the only one I agree with... I think everyone is being too nice/forgiving....

I have no idea of your materials and pricing/cost/materials spec'd out.... but those ballusters did not split after the fact....

Any competant trademan would replace them as they split.....
 
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