Results 1 to 21 of 21
  1. #1
    Jeff Remas's Avatar
    Jeff Remas Guest

    Default This is not a cantilever

    This is why I love the Poconos

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Member Benefits1

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,365

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    I get those all the time up here in Oregon... deck joists pretty much start to rot the day the deck is built. Fast-forward 15 years and Mr. Repairman just cuts them off, ususally leaving about 6" to 'sister' the new ones to. Most often, there's half or so good ones left and the repaired ones are just for show.

    I usually just ask the buyers if they have heavy friends or ever have 'kegger' parties


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    1,828

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    And I thought it was all those heart shaped tubs you get to test.


  4. #4
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    I've never seen this problem before. It took a while looking at the picture to even see how bad it was. I'll save this picture for future reference....amazing!


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    Jeff,

    Either that deck is being supported by "structural air" of there is a support behind you ... how far behind you is the support (beam), and how far to the next support (beam).

    Maybe it is "cantilevered", only it is "cantilevered" from the rest of the deck?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    Jeff Remas's Avatar
    Jeff Remas Guest

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    You are looking at the deck attachment to the house on a 12' deck. There are no joist hangars, no ledger board. The joists are toe-nailed only. Not even a lousy ribbon strip for good measure.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Remas View Post
    You are looking at the deck attachment to the house on a 12' deck. There are no joist hangars, no ledger board. The joists are toe-nailed only. Not even a lousy ribbon strip for good measure.
    Jeff,

    I understand that, but ... there must be *something* holding those joists up ... right?

    Okay, so, now back to my question: what is holding those joists up and how far back from 'the house end' is it located, and, how far to the next support back further?

    Surely those joists 'are not' just hanging there in mid air, being supported by the deck flooring, are they?

    I.e., let's say you have 4 feet between the support behind you and the house, then another 4 feet to the next support and another 4 feet to the next support ... *IF* those joists are properly sized, they 'could be' cantilevered toward the house that far and work ... i.e., 1/3 their span rating and supported on two or more supports.

    You would effectively have a "free standing deck" which is "touching" the house. Right?

    So ... not enough information was given, and I was asking for that missing information.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    Posts
    1,074

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    Jerry,

    I believe he means the joist are nailed through the siding into the rim band of the home.

    Or they lined the joist up with the nailing pattern of the siding and tacked them to the studs.

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Schulz View Post
    I believe he means the joist are nailed through the siding into the rim band of the home.
    Mike,

    I understand that, however, if (that big *IF*) the joists are 'otherwise supported properly for being cantilevered' off other supports, it might not be that big of a deal (except that you would want bracing or blocking to keep the ends from rotating).

    Think of it this way: *IF* (there it is again) those joists were 'otherwise supported properly for being cantilevered' off other supports, you could technically take a sawzall and cut those joists loose from the wall, making the deck free standing, and those joists would not be a problem (other than lack of bracing or blocking to keep them from rotating).

    Right?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    Posts
    1,074

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    Besides the fact that they are toe-nailed, there is no flashings and that masonite cardboard will rot in short time.

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  11. #11
    Andy Cox's Avatar
    Andy Cox Guest

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    I see what Jerry is saying, if the deck is otherwise a platform, supported, the pictured problem may not be as big a problem... something like this - excuse the very rough drawing...
    Now, if there are only the 2 corner posts and the connection to the house holding it up, there's a real problem!

    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    Posts
    1,074

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    (the pictured problem may not be as big a problem)

    It's a big problem no matter what. You can't but a deck up against a house with out some type of flashing to protect the structure.

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  13. #13
    Andy Cox's Avatar
    Andy Cox Guest

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Schulz View Post
    (the pictured problem may not be as big a problem)

    It's a big problem no matter what. You can't but a deck up against a house with out some type of flashing to protect the structure.
    I agree, but it would be much worse if the whole deck was sitting on 2 posts with the weight resting on these toe-nailed joists. It's a little less bad if there are 4 posts, and these toe-nailed connections are not bearing the entire weight of the deck.

    Either way, the deck needs some major help. Gee, do you think this was the work of a contractor, or a couple of buddies over a 12-pack on a weekend...???


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    Posts
    1,074

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    This is what it needs..........

    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Schulz View Post
    This is what it needs..........
    Mike,

    No, not necessarily.

    That is what Andy and I were trying to say.

    *IF* (that big *IF*) the deck is constructed to be self supporting, all one needs is a sawzall (I know, that is a brand name) and cut off about 1/4" to 1/2" of the ends of the joints so the joists clear the wall and they are not touching, but are allowing drainage down between them and the wall ... but only ... *IF* the deck is constructed as self supporting.

    Granted, *in all likelihood* the deck is supported by the house, but ... *IT MIGHT NOT BE*.

    Without further information, we just do not know. And making those assumptions are not the best of things to do.

    Andy, if a person talks and no one listens, is that like a tree falling in the woods? Is there really any sound?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    Posts
    1,074

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    Ahhhhhhhhhhhh oh wise one.
    With the information given (12') It is likely only supported on one end. Adding supports at 6' is over kill and the way they attached it to the home would be a great indication they would not of added 6' supports.

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Schulz View Post
    Ahhhhhhhhhhhh oh wise one.
    With the information given (12') It is likely only

    Mikey,

    I don't go based on "It is likely only", I think about 'what is not shown and *could be*, or might not be' then ask the question related to that - but we just don't know, do we?

    In which case we should not be stating anything with any level of certainty.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    Posts
    1,074

    Wink Re: This is not a cantilever

    Ahhhhhhhhhhhh oh wise one.
    With the information given (12') It "could be" only supported on one end. Adding supports at 6' is over kill and the way they attached it to the home would be a great indication they would not of added 6' supports.
    __________________
    Jerry where you my English teacher...............

    Jerry one of these days I'm going to stump you............All kidding aside you are "my" mentor

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  19. #19
    David Banks's Avatar
    David Banks Guest

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    You know what happens when you assume? A 50 % chance of being wrong.


  20. #20
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    My thought was that the deck joist were originating from the crawl space, were cut off after they deteriorated, and left hanging.


  21. #21
    Brandon Chew's Avatar
    Brandon Chew Guest

    Default Re: This is not a cantilever

    I'm banking on the assumption that the inspector who started the thread knows a cantilevered or free-standing deck when he sees one, and since he titled the thread "This is not a cantilever", his main purpose in starting the thread was to provide a pic of a very wrong and unsafe installation.


Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •