Heres an interesting one. As you can see theres a steel ibeam, they toenailed these joists into place and put in the ledger strip. This isn’t my inspection but something someone sent me out of curiosity. How would you fix this realistically? Its been like this for nearly 40 years with no observable settlement elsewhere. Maybe double up the ledger strip for the proper bearing? At this time its about 1".
Has something moved to cause the separation?
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Nope, not that they could tell. I went this afternoon (didn’t take pictures) and everything is on par. And on closer examinations, theres no evidence that suggest the joists pulled really but rather, they tried toe-nailing the shit out of them.
And the top portion of the joists aren’t pulled from the filler wood. It seems to have been installed that way.
How do you intend to attach that additional ledger to the steel beam?
I’ve read recently, (don’t remember the source), that the practice of using ledger strips will no longer be allowed. No, I have no details beyond that one article.
Unrelated, I read an artical just today on how to attach to a steel beam…
[quote="Brandon Sweet, post:4, topic:240505, username:bsweet”]
It seems to have been installed that way.
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It doesn’t make much sense that it would be installed that way. But, I guess I’ve seen sketchier things.
[quote="Brandon Sweet, post:1, topic:240505, username:bsweet”]
How would you fix this realistically?.. Maybe double up the ledger strip for the proper bearing?
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Without being there to see it in person, I suppose that could work.
I would check that nailer on the top versus the filler used to fill the I-beam web. If the gap is just from the difference in material thickness, I wouldn’t worry about it. If the top and web have the same thickness with the wood, then that beam has rotated, which is bad and you need to get an engineer on it.
If all of the other concerns are addressed and this were my house, I would added full height blocking between all of the joists. Nail the new blocking to both the nailer at the top of the I-beam and into the I-beam web filler. Then add face-mount joist hangers to the joists. The hangers then nail into the blocking that was just added between the joists. Nice and solid.
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If nothing is moving, and it has been this way for 40 years, then probably good to go as-is, unless something changes.
That said, probably wouldn’t hurt to add another ledger. Just don’t try to nail it inline with the joists, as the current ledger is already nailed there. I would add two columns of four nails each under each joist in the new ledger, each column being 2 inches or so off center from the joist.
Then make sure to wrap on it when done and say “that ain’t going anywhere.” That last part is key. 
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I agree with Ryan and everyone else that has concluded that it was built this way and has worked for 40 years, which has to be taken into consideration. On the other hand, we have a ledger strip that seems to be supported only with nails. If it were my house, I would add another ledger strip and secure it with 1/2" bolts with washers all the way through the metal I-beam (how it should have been done in the first place).
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How do you know it is unchanged for 40 years? There is displacement at some time, even if it was immediately after construction. In my circles, you can see how toenails have pulled through or the joist has shifted. While maybe not a major structural concern after 40 years, those joists are insufficiently bearing on the ledger strip. I think adding an additional ledger strip makes sense, but if I am writing this up, I am recommending evaluation by a structural engineer.
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Ledger, deck joist orientation.
Poorly positioned end joist fasteners. Damaged end joists. Prior structural movement.
No ledger flashing.
Bearing is 1.5"
Is flashing required for this installation?
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I think, Lon. Although I can not see lag screws or complete band joists connections. Z flashing.
Table R507. 9.1. 3(1) reads, “Ledgers shall be flashed in accordance with Section R703. 4 to prevent water from contacting the house band joist .”
Where do you think, the water is going to come from in this these pictures?
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I thought it was a outdoor deck. Ops.
He THINKS he’s looking at a DECK ledger!!
NP. I was wondering if I was missing something.
Obviously must have been on an inspection or someone hacked his phone.
I see ledger messes frequently.
I guess you do not bother bending to look under decks. Your gut get too big?
What does any of that have to do with this threads subject matter?
WAFI !!