Well, once this weather breaks, it's on to picking back up with the outside projects. I hope to finish the rest of the patio this year and address my deck. The latter of which is the subject of this post. Long story short, when we bought this home two years ago, I knew the deck would need attention. It has just taken a back seat during my excavation/retaining wall project last summer. The owner before the one I bought it from built this deck in 1997, and aside from it weathering horribly, and the dimensions being all over the place, I thought it was in decent shape. Structurally it seems sound. He used 4x6's for the footing/support posts, but I know they're embedded in concrete, not on top, and certainly not above the grade (not even sure they're below the frost line as our zone is right around 48"). I'm attaching a few pictures to show the current condition. The plan this summer was to resurface the deck and rebuild the railing (not to code, and in terrible shape), but I also go to thinking about adding a gable extension in the front from the existing roof line. It I do that, the main posts would certainly need to be placed on concrete footings well below the frost line, extending beyond grade, with J-hook attachments leaving a small air gap between footing and post. With that being said, there are already two existing posts inline with the edge of the house where I would place these new supports. That got me thinking about just replacing those main footings and built up from there. What are your thoughts on the condition of everything else (in particular the band joists)? He used 2x8s for most of the floor joists, but on the 6ft side (the long narrow side running back along the side of the house, he varied it with some 2x6s mixed in (they're not spanning more than 6ft as mentioned, but it's still odd). Anyways, here are a few pictures. What are your thoughts? Replace footings all around? Looking head on...I want to place the roof supports where the post to the right of the retaining wall is, and two posts to the left of the retaining wall.: The front support posts looking down the line shows some shifting: One of the supports I would replace and extend up through for the roof. Close up showing the left support I would replace as it's heading into the ground. This one is twisted the most. Front band joist. Underside of the deck on the 6ft end...if you look closely you can see the intermittent 2x6s thrown in. Underside where 2x8s were used: So, what are your thoughts here? Tear down and start from the ground up? That was the advice I received from one contractor (which I think is odd, since many of the interior joists and girders are in great shape). Replace footings?
That's the plan...for the summer, I think I may just dig, pour, and set the footings for the roof, and just rebuild the deck...the roof can wait a year.
I'd tear it all out and start new. One thing for sure, you've made a nice home into a dream home for most people. Looks great!
This is what I'd suggest for you Matt. You've put too much time into the rest of it to skimp on the deck. Just take it apart gently and maybe you craigslist savageable wood or something.
I suppose you guys are right. I guess if I'm going to do it, I might as well do it right. More work for sure, but that's the story of my life with this house
From the picures, I wouldn't demo the whole thing just b/c of a few issues. You could just shore it up, remove the posts, put in your spot footing and erect new posts which would support the future roof expansion. The 2x6 joists could also be individually removed and replaced with 2x8's to match the others. The exisitng posts appear to be treated southern yellow pine which twist and warp over time when exposed to the elements. I'd look at other material options. Cedar is expensive but would hold up better, but by far the best option would be steel pipe or tubing considering they will be supporting not only the deck but also the future roof. The metal could be wrapped with wood so they'd match the exisitng deck look.
Lol, Matt your place is beautiful, and seeing you talk about how bad your deck is, I look at my back porch and just shake my head... :D
