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Deck Construction?
Posted on 4/3/19 at 6:19 pm
Posted on 4/3/19 at 6:19 pm
Our home suffered significant damage in Hurricane Michael. I could probably start thirty Home & Garden threads with the stuff we're working through but top of mind right now are some questions/concerns I have with our new deck...
This is all new to me..some of the construction is just "messy", which leaves me wondering if it was done right. So I dug into the Florida building code. I'm not sure if I'm interpreting it all correctly, and some things are not specified, so I would appreciate some insight.
- deck ledger board (2x10) is attached directly to concrete slab. This isn't specifically covered in code (I don't think...) But everything I've read says it should be with bolts and they've used (overset and underset) nails with some plastic bits sticking out (ramshot maybe?)
- joist hangers were not used. Code seems to call for them, are alternatives acceptable? They are using a messy bunch of diagonal nails instead.
- is this an acceptable beam to post connection? It's neither notched or sitting directly on the post with a post cap (which are the two ways described in the code), but at least bolts are used.
- Deck joist spans: 2x12 joists, 23-24" on center, max length 14' (code seems to say max 13'6"?)
- Deck beam span length: 2-2x12 beams, joist span 14' , beam length 9' (max should be 8'?)
There are other smaller or more subjective things, but are the above concerns valid and something you'd ask to be addressed? We're paying pretty significant $$ for this deck, and plan to be here for a long time so want it done right.

This is all new to me..some of the construction is just "messy", which leaves me wondering if it was done right. So I dug into the Florida building code. I'm not sure if I'm interpreting it all correctly, and some things are not specified, so I would appreciate some insight.
- deck ledger board (2x10) is attached directly to concrete slab. This isn't specifically covered in code (I don't think...) But everything I've read says it should be with bolts and they've used (overset and underset) nails with some plastic bits sticking out (ramshot maybe?)

- joist hangers were not used. Code seems to call for them, are alternatives acceptable? They are using a messy bunch of diagonal nails instead.

- is this an acceptable beam to post connection? It's neither notched or sitting directly on the post with a post cap (which are the two ways described in the code), but at least bolts are used.

- Deck joist spans: 2x12 joists, 23-24" on center, max length 14' (code seems to say max 13'6"?)
- Deck beam span length: 2-2x12 beams, joist span 14' , beam length 9' (max should be 8'?)
There are other smaller or more subjective things, but are the above concerns valid and something you'd ask to be addressed? We're paying pretty significant $$ for this deck, and plan to be here for a long time so want it done right.
Posted on 4/3/19 at 6:33 pm to shell01
Why did they use 2x10 ledger for 2x12 joist? Looks like
they Ramset
to attach to ledger to concrete.
they Ramset

Posted on 4/3/19 at 6:55 pm to JCinBAMA
Yes, ramset is my guess as well. Is that acceptable? I would rather bolts, but is that a "nice to have" or must have?
And yeah, no clue on the 2x10 ledger for 2x12 joists. We didn't get to review or approve the specs
And yeah, no clue on the 2x10 ledger for 2x12 joists. We didn't get to review or approve the specs
Posted on 4/3/19 at 7:55 pm to shell01
Looks a lot better then the stuff I built at my camp after a six pack of them white cans .
Posted on 4/4/19 at 6:57 am to Tigre85
Not knowing your building codes, you might want to invest into a home inspector. Joints are real shitty and hangers should of been used. Myself, I wouldn't pass that.
Posted on 4/4/19 at 11:35 am to fishfighter
Are they done with it yet? I've seen guys build them with nails, then go back and put in joist hangers and anchors where needed.
It doesn't look clean though, especially at the joints as Fish said.
It doesn't look clean though, especially at the joints as Fish said.
This post was edited on 4/4/19 at 11:39 am
Posted on 4/4/19 at 12:13 pm to ducksnbass
Yep, all done a month ago! :(
Crews are super busy and the quality shows. We had them fix a few things (stairs were leaning for example.)
I'm not happy with the work done, especially for the money spent, but want something concrete to go back to them with and not just "it looks crappy."
Is calling out the county inspector a dick move?
Crews are super busy and the quality shows. We had them fix a few things (stairs were leaning for example.)
I'm not happy with the work done, especially for the money spent, but want something concrete to go back to them with and not just "it looks crappy."
Is calling out the county inspector a dick move?
Posted on 4/4/19 at 1:13 pm to shell01
Nope it’s what you should do to get them on the hook, however you might end up with additional issues from the inspection.
Hopefully you haven’t paid...
You need to call them and see about getting them back out to fix the issues.
Hopefully you haven’t paid...
You need to call them and see about getting them back out to fix the issues.
Posted on 4/4/19 at 2:35 pm to shell01

Is that joist just shot to the post with a bolt? A single-shear connection? If so that's bad and that deck isn't going to last long. A connection like that should be notched in so the load tranfers into the post directly, then use bolts to secure that connection. Ramset nails for the ledger to foundation? That's criminal. I'd take lots of pictures, don't do anything else, and get that inspected. I wouldn't step foot on that deck either.
Posted on 4/4/19 at 5:17 pm to Clames
Thanks Clames.
That's actually a doubled up beam, not a joist. The decking changes direction there. Some are single bolt, some are double but no support underneath.
We're honestly not very happy with any of the work done by this crew (they framed up some of the damaged areas of the house too) but I didn't know if I was just being picky or what. Thanks for everyone who has chimed in. Six months post-storm and the only work completed to date is shitty is a bit depressing....
That's actually a doubled up beam, not a joist. The decking changes direction there. Some are single bolt, some are double but no support underneath.

We're honestly not very happy with any of the work done by this crew (they framed up some of the damaged areas of the house too) but I didn't know if I was just being picky or what. Thanks for everyone who has chimed in. Six months post-storm and the only work completed to date is shitty is a bit depressing....
Posted on 4/4/19 at 5:42 pm to shell01
quote:
Six months post-storm and the only work completed to date is shitty is a bit depressing....
Same thing happened in N.O. after Katrina blew through. Any a-hole with a pickup truck, circular saw, tape measure and a couple sawhorses came into town acting like they were legit carpenters/contractors and did a shitload of shoddy work before they were finally found out and left town, often running out with a lot of money from people who paid for stuff up front.
Posted on 4/4/19 at 11:01 pm to shell01
Yeah, they just shot in lag screws which is even worse than simply bolting through. Looks like they pinned it in place with a framing gun then ran the lags. I bet none of that hardware is rated for treated lumber too. I built a much larger deck with structural screws (rated for treated lumber) in the joists but notched the 6x6 posts for the joists. Also, if those posts are set directly into concrete, even if the did everything else right, it only has 10 to 15 years before needing serious repair work.
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