Structural integrity?

[u/UniqueCar6998]

Hello. This is a brand new deck system as of 2 months ago. I noticed that not only were 2/3 horizontal supports off center, but also, 2 joist hangars are snapped.

I live in MN and this is the code requirements
https://www.dli.mn.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/res-decks.pdf

I contacted the builder and he said the support posts didn’t move (despite obvious slide marks) or shift. He also said it was nailed on the end where the broken joists are and it was done so to make it straight.

It seems it isn’t or wasn’t square to begin with and should a single 6” x 6” horizontal support been used rather than 3 2” x 6” ’s?

Vertical and horizontal cracks on wood too?

Thanks for feedback.

Thanks for the feedback all:

Seeing as work needs to be done, several questions:

1. What is the best way to lift the deck platform to add/adjust horizontal beams?
2. The builder insists the vertical supports didn’t move, what else would explain the misalignment?
3. Best way to secure end/mid posts attachment is Simpson Ties?
4. Do the 3 horizontal beams need to be bound together?
5. Anything else besides the obvious?

Appreciated much!

[u/Bneff14]

A lot of omg this is going to kill someone here. Is this how a finished deck I built would look? No. But its far from life threatening. They likely set the post saddles centered on the concrete piers(assumption) which is why one is centered for the beam and the other 2 are 1 1/2" off center. There is still plenty of the weight transfer happening as long as the beam is nailed properly.

Also, there are millions of decks out there built without modern steel connection fasteners. 3"nails properly set from the beam to the post will hold fine. That being said a properly installed connection strap/plate is cheap insurance. And required in seismic areas. But the posts are not going to "easily slide out" from the thousands of pounds of compression.

If a contractor was paid for this work, I would certainly be withholding payment until a few of these issues are resolved. Otherwise if it has been paid for, and there aren't explicit plans and a contract you can cite its not worth your trouble. Threaten to leave them a bad online review if possible? Otherwise invest the money in having someone else come in to do the minor modifications to will just make it a bit stronger/safer. But it is certainly not in danger of falling over.

[u/CalebD → u/Bneff14]

They didn't nail it, they used hurricane ties to attach the beam to the post. Photo 4 shows those ties snapped. Photo 2 shows they aren't properly nailed on. There's nothing holding that deck on.

Even if your assumption was correct and they did center on the footer instead of the beam, you would still put the beam bearing on the posts properly and simply let it be a few inches out of square. Plenty of decks aren't perfectly square and are just fine, but you cannot have the beams hanging half off the post safely.

[u/Bneff14 → u/CalebD]

How do you know it isn't nailed? I never put hurricane ties, post plates on until the deck/framing is complete. That being said I don't see a nail pattern on the beam when I zoom in.

There's 2 plies sitting on the post. That beam...might sag a bit. It's not a massive span, it will not fail, not remotely. They used to build bigger decks and much longer spans with 2x6.

And no, I would never build the beam almost 2" out of square. As I said, it's not how I would have built it. I have other ways I woukd compensate and cheat different things a 1/2" here or there. Pretty easy to slap another ply on the inside if you were that worried about it. But you still get plenty of strength of the beam being built as a 3ply and 3" of bearing on your post transfers most of that force. If I was hired to fix it, I would likely find a way to get most of the post under the beam while keeping everything as plumbing and square as possible.

Either way my point was this deck is far from unsafe. And a quick consult from a knowledgeable handyman, or contractor could do a few small minor things and there would be zero question marks.

[u/CalebD → u/Bneff14]

You answered your own question. You can see there aren't nails holding the beam to the post. Unless someone's brad nailing framing together, there aren't any.

If hurricane ties are snapping in half, it's not because the beam is staying put. You might be comfortable with a deck resting on a couple overspanned, shifting 2x6s, but it is 100% a safety hazard.

The "few small minor things" a proper contractor would do is actually connect the deck to its posts before the 3 ply becomes 1 ply. It doesn't matter if it's a fast fix, that doesn't mean that this problem couldn't have disastrous consequences, and there's no benefit whatsoever to downplaying it.

[u/Bneff14 → u/CalebD]

Well if they put the beam up one ply at a time, which is what it looks like... toe nails on inside that you cant see

[u/CalebD → u/Bneff14]

Ah yes, the single toenailed inner 2x6. Very normal framing practice. Weird that it wouldn't stop the beam from sliding enough to snap the hurricane ties, but I'm sure it'll kick in and stop it from shifting further.