I need to know what the building codes are in philadelphia?
Question:I have a friend that wants me to build a roof/deck on the back of his house. There is allready a roof there but it is need of repair badly there is also a oven for baking cakes down below this roof.
I know how he wants to build the roof. I have to add this to before I get to far. I will tell you how he wants it done. He has marked out on the wall where there are 4x4 posts to be inserted into the wall with no ledger. I dont really like that plan. it gets worse though. he wants to slope it back towards the house somwhat to make a drain in the middle of the roof and it even gets better after we build the roof he wants to put some concrete on it and tile it. I told him I didnt think that was a good idea cause the walking and the tempature diffrences and water in the winter plus the oven if it is not insulated right would pop them right off. I guess what I am saying is can somebody tell me what should be done so it will at least be to code. Thanks Drew
Answers:
You can find the Philadelphia building codes at the links below. You probably shouldn't get involved with a project that is setting your alarm bells off - if you put anything on paper and are not licensed, or you build anything and are not licensed, you run the risk of being sued if the structure fails. Furthermore, does your friend own the unit he lives in? If not, don't get involved. The oven is probably not a big deal. But no matter what, if you want to build a roof deck you want to make sure it is safe for humans to stand on - and to determine that you need to get a building permit because the city planners know the codes and know the acceptable loads. It is absolutely not worth it to blackjack the addition. You run the risk of someone being hurt - and you run the risk of being responsible for their injuries.
http://www.phila.gov/li/codes/codes.html...
http://www.urbanblight.org/resources/cod...
Walk away from this abortion now. DO NOT DO IT.
RUN AWAY!! as fast as you can.. your friend is going to lead you into a nighmare. Ultimately it will cost one or both of you money and possibly the friendship to come back from that trip..
Talk to the department of inspections which is part of the city or county gov't and shoul be in the blue pages of your phonebook. Or if you know a licensed builder ask for the number.
I can tell you that the cost of tiling over living space alone will be at least $10 a square foot. And he'll need approx. 4" of clearance to install the necessary drain mat and mud bed underneath.
If the logistics don't scare your friend away from this doomed project, perhaps the price could.
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