Deck Issue (pictures included)

nycatl2009

12 years ago

I have a contract on a house; today was the inspection. The house passed with flying colors..... except for the deck. The home and deck are ~17 years old. While the deck boards themselves have been well cared for, it appears that some of the supports under the deck itself are separating from the wall. The deck is approximately 32' long with 24 support beams ~16'' apart perpendicular to the house. About 9 of the support beams are separating from the wall (just slightly).

I'm including pictures below. I included the most egregious examples; basically, I want to know, is this something that will require a massive overhaul or is this something that can be relatively painlessly fixed.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Here is a picture of the supports themselves --

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m134/samreid86/deck_4.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m134/samreid86/deck_2.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m134/samreid86/deck_1.jpg

And one picture from above --

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m134/samreid86/deck_6.jpg

Comments (4)

taverty
12 years ago
I don't necessarily think the boards are pulling away. If you look closely it seems the joists weren't cut straight and the very top is pressed against the ledger board. In my area installing joists against the ledger board require a joist hanger.
I see they tried to mimic a joist hanger by notching the joists and placing a 2x2 under the joists. Whoever did this actually made more work for themselves!

How I would fix this:
Take out that 2x2 and try to put in joist hangers. Since the 2x10 joists (I think) were notched you may need to use a 2x8 joist hanger. Best structural solution.

OR

Leave that 2x2 there and use an outdoor angle bracket on both sides of each joist (except the end joists). Not ideal but should prevent any pull away.

Hey at least they used bolts to attach the ledger. However, in my area the bolts must alternate top and bottom, they can't be in the middle like your pictures show.

~Scott
weedyacres
12 years ago
Here are your photos.
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weedyacres
12 years ago
Trying that last photo again.
weedyacres
12 years ago
The joists (what you're calling "support beams") need to have joist hangers holding them to the ledger board (the one bolted into the wall). Without that, the joists can work their way apart from the ledger board. The other end of the joists should be attached to the outer rim joist with joist hangers as well.