Quick question about a deck

dallen24 · July 21, 2021, 4:11am

I have an inspection coming up in two days and saw this picture on the listing. Whats going on here with the double stacked rim joist / joist to beam connection? This is the only picture I have at this time, just trying to do homework before the inspection and thought it was odd…

bcawhern1 · July 21, 2021, 4:14am

First issue is, there is no photo to look at

dallen24 · July 21, 2021, 4:16am

that is a problem, lol, I’ll get on that…

fixed

bcawhern1 · July 21, 2021, 4:21am

That is definitely unconventional. It does not follow any modern building practice.

Here are a few other problems

Horizontal guard
No lateral bracing
Post not centered

dallen24 · July 21, 2021, 4:31am

Thanks Brian,

That’s what I was thinking, still trying to figure out why its done this way. The beam being unpainted seems to have been added after? a bad repair maybe?

Above your left diagonal line you can kinda see a short brace… also looks like there is a stacked beam on the left and missing from the right?

ccurrins · July 21, 2021, 4:34am

Looks like possibly an amateurish repair/replacement/alteration to the original design.

bcawhern1 · July 21, 2021, 4:35am

Who knows why people do things. When you get there, you will find more. You can just lump it into one narrative and call for repairs/corrections.

sbridges2 · July 21, 2021, 4:47am

I would be concerned with the beam having a proper connection to the posts preventing it from rolling, among other issues.

ruecker · July 21, 2021, 10:50am

Hard to tell from the one picture but basically many of us are used to seeing the joists cantilevered past the beam somewhat when this construction method is used. The only difference here is that the joists do not appear to be cantilevered past the beam. This by itself is not a deficiency, but as others have noted there are other issues.

mdurante · July 21, 2021, 11:06am

Yes, many issues for sure. The picture appears to be cut off on the left side, and looking at the railing, it looks like there’s a third post or at least there should be. Definitely need to get a good look at the post beam connection when you are there.

pgiannino · July 21, 2021, 3:55pm

One of my comments:
Limited framing support was observed. While no immediate concern was noted, today’s construction would require larger / additional framing.

wjones18 · July 22, 2021, 9:00pm

also all the ledger bolts and inline with each other, can cause splitting of the wood.

bcawhern1 · July 22, 2021, 9:17pm

@wjones18 that is a good graphic. It is exactly what I sometimes see in the field.

dallen24 · July 22, 2021, 9:22pm

few more pics here from the inspection itself

steague · July 22, 2021, 10:04pm

Kinda looks like they cut the posts to short then tried to make up for it with another beam. Rest of deck is same colour.

bcawhern1 · July 23, 2021, 12:30am

Now I am concerned about the actual rim band attachment to the lower beam. I think your rolling statement is legit!

bcawhern1 · July 23, 2021, 12:51am

It just keeps on giving. Not exterior rated fasteners.

jfudge · July 23, 2021, 1:22am

Jeez, ye guys are deal-killers.

sbridges2 · July 23, 2021, 1:24am

I have seen this situation before where the homeowner removed the center post and installed a beam to take the place of the center post, Well, Over time the footings heaved inward pushing the post out of plumb rolling the beam in the opposite direction.