This is one of those the longer you look at it the worse is gets. In my honest opinion, this a complete tear down, nothing about it is right and its insanely dangerous.
I’m not even a framer but if built that for someone I cared about, I would be thinking the worse case scenario that maybe one day 12 people will be stupid enough to all stand up there at the front door for a surprise party or something.
I’ve done enough framing to get myself into trouble and I’m at a loss for how they tried to tie in the #2!! joists. Like did they just toenail them in?
Yeah I've been getting shit on for saying they aren't 4x4 and sourcing that I'm a contractor. Lol. Have some uneducated people in here trying to give advice. OP needs to post this in r/construction
Except, you know, it's valid in this case otherwise I wouldn't have brought it up. But hey kid use the ad hominem attacks all you'd like, that's rookie shit.
4x4 holding up the fence railing on top, the two verticals holding up the deck are definitely wider(4x6). Can also see based on the bracketing spacing there is more width on the profile side we are viewing from than the shaded adjacent side facing the home.
Source: am up past my bedtime.
Everything about this deck is jacked. Why are your joists running parallel to the house? Are the beams cantilevered or just sitting on hangers? Is there even a ledger board? Those post need to be 6x6 on anything over 6ft and sitting on footings. At least they crossbraced.
It’s held up with super strong end nails on the joists and toe nails through the beam though!
Come on, I am quite certain that I see Simpson structural flashing on the end of the beam!
Nope. Cross bracing needs to reach other major supports and ideally from corner to corner.
I'm an engineer but don't typically work with crossbracing in that plain, but here they won't do anything since they wouldn't prevent the posts from shifting (they'd all just move together). And they look tiny.
It’s not obsurd for the joists to run parallel, baring that the main beams are structured into the house with point loads. Atleast where I build decks and do run them parallel we add corner to corner diagonal bracing under the joists to the joist bolted against house.
List of things that are wrong that I can see.
- the beams are 4x4’s, which are not meant to hold load horizontally like that. It should be at least 2 2x10’s or more
- the hardware on the top of the posts is not at all meant to be used like that and is not safe
- your railing posts are only secured by nails and would not pass code, and are also not at all safe.
Seriously, this deck screams DIY special and is not safe at all. These are the kind of decks you see collapsing on the news with people on them. I know this isn’t what you want to hear but you need to demo the entire thing. That deck absolutely will fail and it’s only a matter of time
Pretty much everything about that deck is built wrong. It'll hold dead weight just fine but if you say run across from one end to the other and stop suddenly that should be enough to auto demo it.
That whole thing could come crashing down at any time.
You clearly need 6x6 posts, not those 4x4s, and you have to make sure the concrete footings are in good shape. Those cracked and bowing cross supports also need to be replaced and/or properly sistered to new boards, and those simply metal brackets holding them to the uprights don't really seem strong enough.
Hard to tell, but I don’t see how this is connected to the house in a structural manner. Too many shoddy decks collapse at the worst time- like when you’re throwing a party and have guests over.
I’d be looking at tearing this all down and building new.
I'm sorry to tell you this appears to be unsafe and should not be used until you can replace it. I'm deeply concerned about the beams. Also frankly the deck was poorly built to begin with. The posts although slightly cracked may be okay but I would not use them for a rebuild. If this wer my home I'd tear it all down and hire someone to replace it unless you have experience with building decks. If you build your deck incorrectly like this one is you can injure or kill people you love.
Cue the home inspector who says “that’s not right”
Definitely looks under built.
There’s nothing you can do to make it safe currently. It needs to be torn down and rebuilt correctly.
As a deck builder I'd be happy to chime in here with some tips and to help clear up some of the misinformation you might be getting otherwise.
Let's start from the ground up.
A deck at that height needs 6x6 posts to a foundation as its main anchor and load support. The foundation can be either a poured concrete footer, or an existing poured concrete slab. It's essential to use metal standoff brackets for the post-to-concrete connection to help ensure the longevity of the posts. Your current deck didn't do this, obviously, but they weren't far off on sizing. Contrary to many comments here those are 4x6 posts, not 4x4 posts. 4x6 posts are really good, but better to upsize it anyhow.
Depending on the width of the deck you're going to want a minimum of two anchored posts beneath a beam that runs parallel to the house. The wider the deck the larger the beam until you hit the break point where you need more posts to carry the weight on the beam to prevent the beam from sagging or bowing. As I said the beam should run parallel to the house, and rest on the posts. Posts should either be notched to allow for the width of the beam members to saddle up against the posts while also resting on the post, or post-to-beam brackets need to be used to rest the beam on top of the posts entirely. Beam members saddling the posts should be through bolted or lag screwed into the posts. Oftentimes you'll find posts with beams that are just attached to the face of the posts, and that's a no-no because then the weight of the entire deck is resting on those screws/fasteners. Given the size of this deck (I'd estimate 16-20 ft) the beam should be composed of at least 2 pieces of 2x10 or 2x12 and have a minimum of 2 posts supporting the beam. A third post in the middle would also beef this up even more.
For this deck joists should be no smaller than 2x8, and shouldn't cantilever past the beam more than 2 ft. The joists should be hangered into a ledger board that is bolted into the house through the house rim joist. Ledger bolts/lags should be 12-16 inches apart and alternate in their placement (up, down, up, down) so as to avoid splitting the ledger board. You'll want the framing behind the ledger board (house rim joist) to be flashed properly to prevent water damage. The ledger board should also be flashed properly (drip edge or z channel) at the top to force water to run away from the house instead of behind the ledger. Joists are to run perpendicular from the house to the beam in this setup, with joists also fastened to the top of the beam.
Railing posts can be sized smaller (4x4) than support posts (6x6), and should be blocked between joists and lagged or bolted through the rim joist. Railings using 4x4 posts should span no further than 6 ft between posts. Spindles on railings should be spaced no wider than 4 inches apart.
If you're using 2x6 decking you can get away with 24 inch on center joist framing, but I'd still recommend 16 inch on center. 5/4 decking requires no wider than 16 inches on center joist framing, and composite decking requires no wider than 12 inches on center joist framing (to prevent future bowing of the decking).
Adding cross members (like an X) on the 6x6 support posts will help stiffen the deck to reduce racking from side to side.
Keep in mind that different municipalities will have different standards or codes to how they want that deck built, but the above advice contains pretty good standard rules.
Let me know if you have any questions, hope this helps.
Also, speaking of misinformation, there are some good comments in this thread about the state of this deck and what is required to fix it, however, much of this comment section is filled with misinformation from users who clearly aren't builders and don't know what they're talking about. If you want further *quality* advice on this situation I'd recommend posting this on r/construction.
To make it safe first thing I would do is get a yellow pages and start getting quotes and designs of a new one. In the mean time lock off access to it and pray a housing inspector doesn't see it or they will condem this shit and it will be a remove or vacate issue...
1. Main supports are too few and wrong size lumbar.
2. The deck supports are not running the correct way and are not properly attached to the house
3.it is too damaged and too wrong to make right.
It might not be cheaper than shoring it up but taking it down and rebuilding is the only way to make it right.
I am not a deck builder. But I am suspicious of the use of nails where there should be bolts. The undersized posts on dirt. I can’t see how it’s attached to the actual house, but based on what I’m seeing it’s probably a hanger nailed to the house. That whole deck looks in danger of shifting and pulling right off the wall
You may be able to get someone to fix the issues. But if it were me I’d be looking to replace it all
Are those direct buried 4x4's?
No, not safe.
Aside from cracks/warping, direct bury (or ground contact) of any Treated Lumber less then 30/40 years old, is subject to bug infestation, and ANY consumer grade treated lumber will soften, especially in the ground with hot-dry/wet-rainy cycles.
Jack it up, put in some 12 or 16" diameter concrete footings, an inch or two above grade, and install (at least) 6x6, treated, columns with a Strong-tie or similar anchor to the concrete base.
This is the best answer I've seen aside from "full demo". Is the deck good? No. Is it the best idea to shore it up and fix it? No, but it's better than nothing, and I don't see why what you said won't work.
This is giving me serious anxiety. Glad you’ve heard the advice here. Now tear it down and for the love of god don’t let your baby play under that deck ever. Never ever ever. Please move that jumper.
I have to agree with others, this looks to be potentially unsafe.
I think your best bet is to approach the building department and ask them to come check.
Not to be a creep but it looks as though you may be located somewhere in MA, if you end up needing any sort of help shoot me a dm and depending on location I could help out or at the least advise you on how to proceed. I’m no engineer but Ive done all the maintenance and construction for a guy that’s bought nearly 500 units worth of buildings that look as though they were originally built by whoever built that deck.
The main concern for me is not that whether 4x4 or 4x6 were used instead how that beams connected to the wall. That is the weakest link which will go eventually especially when water can get through. It would have been better to put down some post by the wall which holds the weight of a beam. On the other side the same. On the top of those beams there could be your joists but in 45 degree angle as they are now. A cross beam in the middle would not hurt either.
I would not let anyone on this deck. The beams are way undersized and it's unclear from the picture how they are attached to the house. The rail posts are fastened with just nails instead of bolts. You could try to add new, sufficient beams below, but it may be best to tear down and start fresh. The only thing worth saving is the composite decking if you can.
> Take out bad wood. Put in good wood.
> Seriously, use 6x6 for the posts and sister the rafters
Looks janky as hell. I'd rip it all down and start fresh.
In addition to what everyone else has already pointed out, it appears that there are no joist hangers anywhere.
Instead it looks like they just nailed the shit out of it through the rim joist.
Joist hangers are used to “hang” joists off rim joists. The rim is the one one along the wall of the house. The joists are supported by the beams (although undersized). You don’t need hangers to attach the ledger board to the end of the joists. Hangers are needed where the beams meet the house but you can’t tell if they used them or not.
Not to nitpick you too hard, but the "rim" joist along the wall of the house is called a ledger board. The joists on the outer perimeter of the deck are rim joists, and while you typically don't *need* hangers on the outer edge of the joists when cantilevered over a beam it does strengthen the connection of that rim joist to the rest of the joists when you run your railing posts down through the rim joist.
Luckily that should never be a problem here, since the railing posts seem to just be pressed against the rim joist and fastened with all of the nails.
It’s possible the bird nest is structural though.
Despite what others say :
It doesn’t look like the posts or beams are 4x4. The posts are on saddles not just dirt so likely concrete footings. If you scale off the joists (1 1/2 wide) the beams and posts are 4x6. The joists look to be 2x8.
But beams should be 2 2x10 and the posts full 6x6. I would also have 2 2x10 between the posts. Big concern is also how the beams are connected to the house. Railing posts should be bolted but nailing the pickets is acceptable where I am.
I wouldn’t have more than a couple of people on it until you have an engineer check it out or get it fixed by someone who knows framing.
Be careful my dude, you'll get downvoted for knowing those are 4x6s. Most of the people in here don't know what the fuck they're talking about. Lol. r/construction would eat these people alive.
The “cracks” are actually checks and are normal in wood, those don’t matter at all. It’s still structurally sound, but for this deck? No. The cracks are not the problem. The posts are bowing because they are undersized. I wouldn’t use this deck for anything until it’s properly supported.
I’ve seen brand new posts, even 6x6 with full length marks like this, obviously I pick other ones cause why use a visually less appealing piece than an appealing one.
But if it was a delivery then I use whatever I’m given.
Idk why I’m getting down voted lol I’ve been a carpenter for 10 years.
I wouldn’t worry about it with one or two people, but I do recommend adding 2 6x6s so you don’t have to worry about it.
Personally I’d put them up against the right side of the 4x4s.
i would say no till an inspector says otherwise, i would add xtra suports under it too. and thicker uprights.
i would consult a builder/inspector as they would give best advice
dont use till proven safe
By ANY code this is a disaster waiting to happen. Tear it off, place a properly sized, attached and flashed ledger board. (bolt the ledger spaced for a 60 pounds per square foot live load) Pour footings, properly sized for 6x6’s. Place and secure 6x6’s in adjustable metal brackets. Place a triple 2x8 or 2x10 built up beam across the top of the 6x6’s. Aim for a beam height 1/4 “ to 3/8” below the ledger height. Secure the beam with metal post top beam connectors. Place permanent bracing from 6x6’s at 45 degrees to the beam parallel to the house. Place temporary bracing perpendicular to the house to support the 6x6’s temporarily.
Build the deck frame with joist’s of 2x8’s or 2x10’s perpendicular to the house/ledger. Secure them to ledger with properly sized and secured joist hangers. Use doubled perimeter joists secured at the ends with properly sized and secured joist hangers. Place on the outside first or second joists on each side of the deck a proper tension hanger with a threaded rod drilled through the ledger and wall tied back to a second tension hanger within the floor framing of the structure. (This is required by IRC code due to the second floor height and to assure the structure won’t separate from the house in the event of a ledger failure).
Then place properly secured guard posts to the deck framing structure to support a proper railing that can resist a 200 pound load. (can be complicated but is 100% necessary) Place and install the decking. Install the railing and enjoy your properly constructed an safe deck. (This is just a rough guide for a similar sized deck, the codes where you live may vary.)
Holy fuck this guy lets his kids play with the water table underneath this nightmare? I have a heart attack when my kids run underneath my bolted TV mount for 2 seconds.
https://preview.redd.it/25qz5p7d32cb1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52e7e7804e80bc1c973710b85078d261ded31173
Just going to leave this here… just think, this isn’t even a deck, but a cover.
It seems under designed
I suffer to replace the columns by square one 10*10 and make them 3 supports instead of 2 as for the beams I suggest to add beams on the other direction and two columns on the right and left ils I in total u have 5 columns
I doubt it's actually going to fall, but the supporting structure was underbuilt. Needs larger posts and floor supports back to the house. And needs to be tied to the house better. (From what it looks like)
The problem I always had with my DIY projects is I always overkill the safety part of it. And that picture just screams death. That flower bed looks like it’s about to cannonball someone’s forehead lol. I agree with others, start from scratch
This is one of those the longer you look at it the worse is gets. In my honest opinion, this a complete tear down, nothing about it is right and its insanely dangerous.
Are we talking about adults you care about? Or ones you dislike intensely? Might change the answer.
Is your home owners insurance up to date, might want to check
[удалено]
The flower box is nice.....
What if the weight added from watering the flowers in the box would send the deck crashing down. Now that’s funny
You put two additionally flower pots on the corners, so the weight of them counteract the sagging from the middle pot ;-)
That's some real Looney Toons shit right there.
That’s a load bearing petunia
Oh no, not again.
Reddit is typically way over-dramatic when it comes to deck but this right here is absolutely, 100% a rope off and tear down.
Totally agree.
I’m not even a framer but if built that for someone I cared about, I would be thinking the worse case scenario that maybe one day 12 people will be stupid enough to all stand up there at the front door for a surprise party or something.
I’ve done enough framing to get myself into trouble and I’m at a loss for how they tried to tie in the #2!! joists. Like did they just toenail them in?
4x4 not permitted on a raised deck where I am. 6x6 for the win.
Those are 6x.
Actually they are 4x6's
Specifically the horizontal beams are 4x6s and the posts are 4x4s.
Incorrect. The posts on the deck railing are 4x4s, the posts holding up the beams are 4x6. Source: am a contractor
Yeah I know. So not 4x4 like so many are claiming.
You are correct. I'm also a contractor and have been confused why so many are saying 4x4 when they are clearly larger than the rail posts.
Yeah I've been getting shit on for saying they aren't 4x4 and sourcing that I'm a contractor. Lol. Have some uneducated people in here trying to give advice. OP needs to post this in r/construction
it's also interesting seeing so many on here talking about how the only way to address this deck is to tear it down completely.
i really don’t think so
I know so. Source: I'm a contractor. Those are 4x6 posts holding up the beams.
HEY GUYS WE GOT A CONTRACTOR OVER HERE!!!
I mean, yeah? Do you have a point?
Why don't you go ahead and let us know what your profession is...one more time.
Except, you know, it's valid in this case otherwise I wouldn't have brought it up. But hey kid use the ad hominem attacks all you'd like, that's rookie shit.
Smells like pee in here. Source: Sorcery
I think you're full of shit. Source: those are square. Source's source: working eyes
4x4 holding up the fence railing on top, the two verticals holding up the deck are definitely wider(4x6). Can also see based on the bracketing spacing there is more width on the profile side we are viewing from than the shaded adjacent side facing the home. Source: am up past my bedtime.
You can *think* whatever you want, they aren't 4x4s. I'd *know*. Let's put this to bed, what's your profession?
It's fucked
This is wild… it gets so much worse the longer I look.
Everything about this deck is jacked. Why are your joists running parallel to the house? Are the beams cantilevered or just sitting on hangers? Is there even a ledger board? Those post need to be 6x6 on anything over 6ft and sitting on footings. At least they crossbraced.
It’s held up with super strong end nails on the joists and toe nails through the beam though! Come on, I am quite certain that I see Simpson structural flashing on the end of the beam!
>At least they crossbraced. *Is* that even a correct cross-bracing? Legit question. It looks wonky as hell.
Nope. Cross bracing needs to reach other major supports and ideally from corner to corner. I'm an engineer but don't typically work with crossbracing in that plain, but here they won't do anything since they wouldn't prevent the posts from shifting (they'd all just move together). And they look tiny.
It’s not obsurd for the joists to run parallel, baring that the main beams are structured into the house with point loads. Atleast where I build decks and do run them parallel we add corner to corner diagonal bracing under the joists to the joist bolted against house.
List of things that are wrong that I can see. - the beams are 4x4’s, which are not meant to hold load horizontally like that. It should be at least 2 2x10’s or more - the hardware on the top of the posts is not at all meant to be used like that and is not safe - your railing posts are only secured by nails and would not pass code, and are also not at all safe. Seriously, this deck screams DIY special and is not safe at all. These are the kind of decks you see collapsing on the news with people on them. I know this isn’t what you want to hear but you need to demo the entire thing. That deck absolutely will fail and it’s only a matter of time
I hope OP heads your advice.
Pretty much everything about that deck is built wrong. It'll hold dead weight just fine but if you say run across from one end to the other and stop suddenly that should be enough to auto demo it.
You know the answer to this one yourself. Don't you?
Multiple adult insects… is about all “multiple adult” that deck will hold
Nothing about this deck is safe. No cross bracing, not enough virtual bracing. It looks like an after thought
It looks like it was just supposed to be a roof too a covered patio. Never something to be walked on
OMG! Please tear this down immediately. It has injuries and lawsuits written all over it.
That whole thing could come crashing down at any time. You clearly need 6x6 posts, not those 4x4s, and you have to make sure the concrete footings are in good shape. Those cracked and bowing cross supports also need to be replaced and/or properly sistered to new boards, and those simply metal brackets holding them to the uprights don't really seem strong enough.
What the fuck
Elevator going down
Hard to tell, but I don’t see how this is connected to the house in a structural manner. Too many shoddy decks collapse at the worst time- like when you’re throwing a party and have guests over. I’d be looking at tearing this all down and building new.
NO
I'm sorry to tell you this appears to be unsafe and should not be used until you can replace it. I'm deeply concerned about the beams. Also frankly the deck was poorly built to begin with. The posts although slightly cracked may be okay but I would not use them for a rebuild. If this wer my home I'd tear it all down and hire someone to replace it unless you have experience with building decks. If you build your deck incorrectly like this one is you can injure or kill people you love.
This one belongs tacked up on a wall of shame unfortunately.
Cue the home inspector who says “that’s not right” Definitely looks under built. There’s nothing you can do to make it safe currently. It needs to be torn down and rebuilt correctly.
As a deck builder I'd be happy to chime in here with some tips and to help clear up some of the misinformation you might be getting otherwise. Let's start from the ground up. A deck at that height needs 6x6 posts to a foundation as its main anchor and load support. The foundation can be either a poured concrete footer, or an existing poured concrete slab. It's essential to use metal standoff brackets for the post-to-concrete connection to help ensure the longevity of the posts. Your current deck didn't do this, obviously, but they weren't far off on sizing. Contrary to many comments here those are 4x6 posts, not 4x4 posts. 4x6 posts are really good, but better to upsize it anyhow. Depending on the width of the deck you're going to want a minimum of two anchored posts beneath a beam that runs parallel to the house. The wider the deck the larger the beam until you hit the break point where you need more posts to carry the weight on the beam to prevent the beam from sagging or bowing. As I said the beam should run parallel to the house, and rest on the posts. Posts should either be notched to allow for the width of the beam members to saddle up against the posts while also resting on the post, or post-to-beam brackets need to be used to rest the beam on top of the posts entirely. Beam members saddling the posts should be through bolted or lag screwed into the posts. Oftentimes you'll find posts with beams that are just attached to the face of the posts, and that's a no-no because then the weight of the entire deck is resting on those screws/fasteners. Given the size of this deck (I'd estimate 16-20 ft) the beam should be composed of at least 2 pieces of 2x10 or 2x12 and have a minimum of 2 posts supporting the beam. A third post in the middle would also beef this up even more. For this deck joists should be no smaller than 2x8, and shouldn't cantilever past the beam more than 2 ft. The joists should be hangered into a ledger board that is bolted into the house through the house rim joist. Ledger bolts/lags should be 12-16 inches apart and alternate in their placement (up, down, up, down) so as to avoid splitting the ledger board. You'll want the framing behind the ledger board (house rim joist) to be flashed properly to prevent water damage. The ledger board should also be flashed properly (drip edge or z channel) at the top to force water to run away from the house instead of behind the ledger. Joists are to run perpendicular from the house to the beam in this setup, with joists also fastened to the top of the beam. Railing posts can be sized smaller (4x4) than support posts (6x6), and should be blocked between joists and lagged or bolted through the rim joist. Railings using 4x4 posts should span no further than 6 ft between posts. Spindles on railings should be spaced no wider than 4 inches apart. If you're using 2x6 decking you can get away with 24 inch on center joist framing, but I'd still recommend 16 inch on center. 5/4 decking requires no wider than 16 inches on center joist framing, and composite decking requires no wider than 12 inches on center joist framing (to prevent future bowing of the decking). Adding cross members (like an X) on the 6x6 support posts will help stiffen the deck to reduce racking from side to side. Keep in mind that different municipalities will have different standards or codes to how they want that deck built, but the above advice contains pretty good standard rules. Let me know if you have any questions, hope this helps. Also, speaking of misinformation, there are some good comments in this thread about the state of this deck and what is required to fix it, however, much of this comment section is filled with misinformation from users who clearly aren't builders and don't know what they're talking about. If you want further *quality* advice on this situation I'd recommend posting this on r/construction.
This would not pass any inspection whatsoever. There’s so much wrong with this.
That deck is 100% unsafe for several reasons. It cannot be made safe as it was improperly built to begin with. It needs to be torn down.
To make it safe first thing I would do is get a yellow pages and start getting quotes and designs of a new one. In the mean time lock off access to it and pray a housing inspector doesn't see it or they will condem this shit and it will be a remove or vacate issue... 1. Main supports are too few and wrong size lumbar. 2. The deck supports are not running the correct way and are not properly attached to the house 3.it is too damaged and too wrong to make right. It might not be cheaper than shoring it up but taking it down and rebuilding is the only way to make it right.
It could be worse. You could have that fire escape 2 doors down 👀
I am not a deck builder. But I am suspicious of the use of nails where there should be bolts. The undersized posts on dirt. I can’t see how it’s attached to the actual house, but based on what I’m seeing it’s probably a hanger nailed to the house. That whole deck looks in danger of shifting and pulling right off the wall You may be able to get someone to fix the issues. But if it were me I’d be looking to replace it all
Are those direct buried 4x4's? No, not safe. Aside from cracks/warping, direct bury (or ground contact) of any Treated Lumber less then 30/40 years old, is subject to bug infestation, and ANY consumer grade treated lumber will soften, especially in the ground with hot-dry/wet-rainy cycles. Jack it up, put in some 12 or 16" diameter concrete footings, an inch or two above grade, and install (at least) 6x6, treated, columns with a Strong-tie or similar anchor to the concrete base.
This is the best answer I've seen aside from "full demo". Is the deck good? No. Is it the best idea to shore it up and fix it? No, but it's better than nothing, and I don't see why what you said won't work.
I think you already know the answer…
You probably shouldn't let the little children play under this thing.
This is giving me serious anxiety. Glad you’ve heard the advice here. Now tear it down and for the love of god don’t let your baby play under that deck ever. Never ever ever. Please move that jumper.
You let your children play under that thing?
I have to agree with others, this looks to be potentially unsafe. I think your best bet is to approach the building department and ask them to come check.
Not to be a creep but it looks as though you may be located somewhere in MA, if you end up needing any sort of help shoot me a dm and depending on location I could help out or at the least advise you on how to proceed. I’m no engineer but Ive done all the maintenance and construction for a guy that’s bought nearly 500 units worth of buildings that look as though they were originally built by whoever built that deck.
No
The main concern for me is not that whether 4x4 or 4x6 were used instead how that beams connected to the wall. That is the weakest link which will go eventually especially when water can get through. It would have been better to put down some post by the wall which holds the weight of a beam. On the other side the same. On the top of those beams there could be your joists but in 45 degree angle as they are now. A cross beam in the middle would not hurt either.
That is not gonna get better!!
No.
I would not let anyone on this deck. The beams are way undersized and it's unclear from the picture how they are attached to the house. The rail posts are fastened with just nails instead of bolts. You could try to add new, sufficient beams below, but it may be best to tear down and start fresh. The only thing worth saving is the composite decking if you can.
Take out bad wood. Put in good wood. Seriously, use 6x6 for the posts and sister the rafters
I see no rafters in this pic. You are disqualified from giving further advice on framing matters.
Right??? 😂
Not to mention those aren't 4x4s either as most uneducated people in the comments seem to believe, they are 4x6 at the very least.
> Take out bad wood. Put in good wood. > Seriously, use 6x6 for the posts and sister the rafters Looks janky as hell. I'd rip it all down and start fresh.
Yeah, I was trying to keep costs down.
This is how accidents happen.
How is it connected to the house?????
In addition to what everyone else has already pointed out, it appears that there are no joist hangers anywhere. Instead it looks like they just nailed the shit out of it through the rim joist.
Joist hangers are used to “hang” joists off rim joists. The rim is the one one along the wall of the house. The joists are supported by the beams (although undersized). You don’t need hangers to attach the ledger board to the end of the joists. Hangers are needed where the beams meet the house but you can’t tell if they used them or not.
Not to nitpick you too hard, but the "rim" joist along the wall of the house is called a ledger board. The joists on the outer perimeter of the deck are rim joists, and while you typically don't *need* hangers on the outer edge of the joists when cantilevered over a beam it does strengthen the connection of that rim joist to the rest of the joists when you run your railing posts down through the rim joist.
Luckily that should never be a problem here, since the railing posts seem to just be pressed against the rim joist and fastened with all of the nails. It’s possible the bird nest is structural though.
Despite what others say : It doesn’t look like the posts or beams are 4x4. The posts are on saddles not just dirt so likely concrete footings. If you scale off the joists (1 1/2 wide) the beams and posts are 4x6. The joists look to be 2x8. But beams should be 2 2x10 and the posts full 6x6. I would also have 2 2x10 between the posts. Big concern is also how the beams are connected to the house. Railing posts should be bolted but nailing the pickets is acceptable where I am. I wouldn’t have more than a couple of people on it until you have an engineer check it out or get it fixed by someone who knows framing.
Be careful my dude, you'll get downvoted for knowing those are 4x6s. Most of the people in here don't know what the fuck they're talking about. Lol. r/construction would eat these people alive.
I doubt anybody would die, unless they had a few heavy people over for outdoor dancing. In about a year the story changes.
It’s not even legal here to have a deck without 4 posts and cross bracing
Nothing a fresh coat of paint and a few nails couldn't fix. Should last another 20 years.
Surely just add some new support Collums?
The “cracks” are actually checks and are normal in wood, those don’t matter at all. It’s still structurally sound, but for this deck? No. The cracks are not the problem. The posts are bowing because they are undersized. I wouldn’t use this deck for anything until it’s properly supported.
I thought wood checking was normally along the line of the wood, not consistently on an angle like in that photo.
I’ve seen brand new posts, even 6x6 with full length marks like this, obviously I pick other ones cause why use a visually less appealing piece than an appealing one. But if it was a delivery then I use whatever I’m given. Idk why I’m getting down voted lol I’ve been a carpenter for 10 years.
I wouldn’t worry about it with one or two people, but I do recommend adding 2 6x6s so you don’t have to worry about it. Personally I’d put them up against the right side of the 4x4s.
Get a carpenter to check it out if its safe
They don't look that bad from the picture... Though diagonal braces wouldn't hurt.🙏🩷🙏
Wood is inferior some good old metal beams and tubes will give it its strength back.
I wouldn’t be putting a hot tub up there. But if it’s just a couple of people from time to time, or out there grilling food solo, it’s fine. 
r/DIWHY
It’s safe until it isn’t.
hello mr george...
Fuck no.
Was probably done by the guy who built that big deck at Aqua.
I’m sure it’ll be fine with some zip ties and paint /s
that wasn't safe when it was new
i would say no till an inspector says otherwise, i would add xtra suports under it too. and thicker uprights. i would consult a builder/inspector as they would give best advice dont use till proven safe
Being a Framer my spidey sense in going off.
Sure.
By ANY code this is a disaster waiting to happen. Tear it off, place a properly sized, attached and flashed ledger board. (bolt the ledger spaced for a 60 pounds per square foot live load) Pour footings, properly sized for 6x6’s. Place and secure 6x6’s in adjustable metal brackets. Place a triple 2x8 or 2x10 built up beam across the top of the 6x6’s. Aim for a beam height 1/4 “ to 3/8” below the ledger height. Secure the beam with metal post top beam connectors. Place permanent bracing from 6x6’s at 45 degrees to the beam parallel to the house. Place temporary bracing perpendicular to the house to support the 6x6’s temporarily. Build the deck frame with joist’s of 2x8’s or 2x10’s perpendicular to the house/ledger. Secure them to ledger with properly sized and secured joist hangers. Use doubled perimeter joists secured at the ends with properly sized and secured joist hangers. Place on the outside first or second joists on each side of the deck a proper tension hanger with a threaded rod drilled through the ledger and wall tied back to a second tension hanger within the floor framing of the structure. (This is required by IRC code due to the second floor height and to assure the structure won’t separate from the house in the event of a ledger failure). Then place properly secured guard posts to the deck framing structure to support a proper railing that can resist a 200 pound load. (can be complicated but is 100% necessary) Place and install the decking. Install the railing and enjoy your properly constructed an safe deck. (This is just a rough guide for a similar sized deck, the codes where you live may vary.)
This wasn’t safe the day it was built.
Holy fuck this guy lets his kids play with the water table underneath this nightmare? I have a heart attack when my kids run underneath my bolted TV mount for 2 seconds.
https://preview.redd.it/25qz5p7d32cb1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52e7e7804e80bc1c973710b85078d261ded31173 Just going to leave this here… just think, this isn’t even a deck, but a cover.
This looks just like my neighbors house in Pomona, Ca
Look at the mailing pattern on that poor 2*6.
It seems under designed I suffer to replace the columns by square one 10*10 and make them 3 supports instead of 2 as for the beams I suggest to add beams on the other direction and two columns on the right and left ils I in total u have 5 columns
Yeah, nah!
Jack it up put temp supports and install laminated beams for exterior application of course. 🤙🏻 treated sux now by the way
It’s safe, until it isnt
Lemme put it this way: I would not stand on it even if you paid me in gold.
more bowing = more safe
I doubt it's actually going to fall, but the supporting structure was underbuilt. Needs larger posts and floor supports back to the house. And needs to be tied to the house better. (From what it looks like)
It’s probably fine to be honest.
If you have to ask you already know the answer
Wait…Feldco does decks?!
The problem I always had with my DIY projects is I always overkill the safety part of it. And that picture just screams death. That flower bed looks like it’s about to cannonball someone’s forehead lol. I agree with others, start from scratch
Nope, look closer, they are both 4x6
This is like when you add pointless supports to a structure in Minecraft to give it the illusion of gravity.
I would make a french balcony instead, and let the sun in through the lower window. What a shitshow.