Deck repairs that involve code compliance, ledger board construction, and stair additions require careful planning before a single board is replaced. When a homeowner in Harrisburg, SD reached out to Crew Restoration & Construction, the scope included not just surface-level decking work but also foundational concerns that needed to be addressed properly. Here is what the project notes captured from that initial visit.
“Customer has requested deck repairs, including replacement of any affected decking boards. Stairs are to be added, with preference for placement on the right side when viewed from the backyard; however, left-side installation may also be considered if it provides better flow. It should be noted that the current footings are not up to code, and the deck is constructed with a ledger board. Full inspection of the deck was not completed as the customer was not home at the time of visit.”
— from the Crew project notes
Project Details
- Location: Harrisburg, SD
- Service: Structural Repair
- Completed: July 2025
Why Footing Compliance Matters on Any Deck
Footings are the foundation of a deck, transferring the structure’s load into the ground. On a typical structural repair involving out-of-code footings, the concern is not just passing an inspection. Undersized or improperly placed footings can shift with freeze-thaw cycles, which are common in South Dakota winters, causing the deck frame above to rack, pull away from the house, or become unstable over time.
When footings do not meet current code, a contractor generally has two paths: bring the existing footings up to standard or replace them entirely. The right approach depends on the footing type, depth, diameter, and how the deck frame connects to them. In ledger-board construction (where the deck attaches directly to the house rim joist or band board), footing adequacy is especially important because the structure is sharing load between the house and those ground-set footings. Any movement in the footings can stress the ledger connection and, by extension, the house framing itself.
Decking Board Replacement and Stair Placement Planning
Replacing affected decking boards is a straightforward repair on the surface, but a thorough job requires checking the framing underneath each board before new material goes down. Joists and blocking that have been exposed to moisture or wear may need attention before new decking is fastened. Skipping that step can mean new boards over a compromised substructure, which shortens the life of the repair.
Stair placement is more than a preference question. On a typical deck project, the contractor evaluates grade slope, traffic flow from the yard, proximity to gates or landscaping features, and local code requirements for stair width and rise-run ratios. Placing stairs on one side versus the other can also affect how water drains away from the structure and whether the stair stringers land on stable, compacted ground or on softer fill. A full site assessment, including measurements and a look at the yard grade, is the standard way to finalize stair placement before any framing begins.
Because the full inspection on this project had not been completed at the time of the initial visit, a follow-up walkthrough with the homeowner present would be the normal next step, allowing the crew to document all affected boards, confirm footing conditions, and finalize the stair layout before work begins.
Ready to Talk Through Your Deck or Structural Repair?
If your deck has aging boards, footing concerns, or you need stairs added, Crew Restoration & Construction serves Harrisburg and the surrounding region. Call us at (605) 965-2727 or email [email protected] to schedule a full on-site assessment.