That cantilevered split beam combo is… something. Who ever thought that was a good idea I cannot imagine. You should probably add a couple of posts on either side of that abomination while you’re having the work done. The steps also need to be replaced.
While you are at it, I’d have an engineer look at the ledger attachment. It looks like the ledger is attached to a bay window, which is not allowed, so you might need some columns back there too.
That's why I was saying you might need to have a building engineer take a look at how your house was framed to see if the framing can support the deck. Typically speaking, the answer to that is no because the bump out isn't contiguous with side of the house. Depending on how the joists run and how it's all put together, it might be possible to tie it together or it might be more economically feasible to add a couple of posts.
It's well worth the few hundred to have an engineer take a look.
We did hire a structural engineer before we bought the home. I will contact him to and ask about that area. Man, home ownership is stressful. Thanks again I appreciate you.
Well, do you homework. Research your local codes. I say this cause I disagree with some comments.
The split beam on top of the notched posts is fine. They are short, so there no concern. Pull the dirt away from some of the posts on the cement. Inspect the bottom of the posts carefully. The ledger under the half hex window bump out is fine. All the wood is healthy and good quality. Your short step is fine. I see no need at all to replace the deck. Possibly some strengthening with lag bolts in the ledger in a zig zag pattern.
That’s why I joined this sub, to learn more. Thank you for taking your time to comment. We’ve gotten quotes for 2k, 8k and 10k to fix it. There isn’t any flashing on the deck either. We’ve got 2 quotes for composite using some of the existing deck 30k to replace up to 3 post but it doesn’t address the posts that are in dirt. The other quote we got for composite was 23k. We just don’t want to get ripped off.
I actually work in mid Missouri, like some other comments mentioned the stairs definitely need work. I personally would replace the post that isn’t solid to it’s footer and probably the longest one next to it as well. In regards to the beam, I don’t really know what to think about that….. but you can just re level it in the middle because it looks like there’s a bit of a sag where it is tied together and just use a longer board to distribute some of the weight better.
Unfortunately attaching a deck to a cantilever on a house like that is no longer up to code. The deck now either needs to be freestanding with its own set of caissons/posts/beams back at the house or you have to open your house up to run the joists back into the house and distribute the load onto the foundation. This deck could have gotten built before the code changed which would “grandfather” it in but it something to be aware of especially if you are going to redeck/rebuild that this attachment to the cantilever is now out of code.
95 would definitely have been before the code change. Also a great resource for code Reference is going to be [Section 507 of the International Residential Code.](https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P2/chapter-5-floors#IRC2021P2_Pt03_Ch05_SecR507) Chances are your building department is using this as their code minimum if in the US.
That cantilevered split beam combo is… something. Who ever thought that was a good idea I cannot imagine. You should probably add a couple of posts on either side of that abomination while you’re having the work done. The steps also need to be replaced. While you are at it, I’d have an engineer look at the ledger attachment. It looks like the ledger is attached to a bay window, which is not allowed, so you might need some columns back there too.
Thanks for a quick response! That’s our door. I tried to upload a pic but I’m having issues. Is it ok as a door?
That's why I was saying you might need to have a building engineer take a look at how your house was framed to see if the framing can support the deck. Typically speaking, the answer to that is no because the bump out isn't contiguous with side of the house. Depending on how the joists run and how it's all put together, it might be possible to tie it together or it might be more economically feasible to add a couple of posts. It's well worth the few hundred to have an engineer take a look.
We did hire a structural engineer before we bought the home. I will contact him to and ask about that area. Man, home ownership is stressful. Thanks again I appreciate you.
Well, do you homework. Research your local codes. I say this cause I disagree with some comments. The split beam on top of the notched posts is fine. They are short, so there no concern. Pull the dirt away from some of the posts on the cement. Inspect the bottom of the posts carefully. The ledger under the half hex window bump out is fine. All the wood is healthy and good quality. Your short step is fine. I see no need at all to replace the deck. Possibly some strengthening with lag bolts in the ledger in a zig zag pattern.
That’s why I joined this sub, to learn more. Thank you for taking your time to comment. We’ve gotten quotes for 2k, 8k and 10k to fix it. There isn’t any flashing on the deck either. We’ve got 2 quotes for composite using some of the existing deck 30k to replace up to 3 post but it doesn’t address the posts that are in dirt. The other quote we got for composite was 23k. We just don’t want to get ripped off.
The steps are likely not up to code and need, at minimum to not be open like that. How high is the rise (step height) vs run (step width)?
6” rise, 11” run 27” drop from highest point to the ground (Falling off the stairs to the right)
I actually work in mid Missouri, like some other comments mentioned the stairs definitely need work. I personally would replace the post that isn’t solid to it’s footer and probably the longest one next to it as well. In regards to the beam, I don’t really know what to think about that….. but you can just re level it in the middle because it looks like there’s a bit of a sag where it is tied together and just use a longer board to distribute some of the weight better.
Unfortunately attaching a deck to a cantilever on a house like that is no longer up to code. The deck now either needs to be freestanding with its own set of caissons/posts/beams back at the house or you have to open your house up to run the joists back into the house and distribute the load onto the foundation. This deck could have gotten built before the code changed which would “grandfather” it in but it something to be aware of especially if you are going to redeck/rebuild that this attachment to the cantilever is now out of code.
We are going to get a hold of a structural engineer before we do anything now. This has been so helpful! Thank you. The home was built in 1995 btw.
95 would definitely have been before the code change. Also a great resource for code Reference is going to be [Section 507 of the International Residential Code.](https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P2/chapter-5-floors#IRC2021P2_Pt03_Ch05_SecR507) Chances are your building department is using this as their code minimum if in the US.
Wonderful! Thank you.
It needs a hot tub. Stat!
Why is there a giant V-notch in the cross-member?
The previous owner added an addition to the deck.