Replacing 4x4 posts on deck

Ravenworks

I am no carpenter,but shouldn't 6x's have been used for at least the corners and center of the structure.
As for the post that is pulling away from your siding,I don't think a few nails did the trick.
There are some good framers here on this site that will be able to help you more than me.

mae-ling

Although many use 6X6 posts it really depends on the size of the structure.

SingleGuy

Been busy with tons of other things to repair but here are some pics of the entire deck.

Ignore the ladder. I was taking care of some wasps











I noticed this when I was handling the wasps. Is this an easy fix? Looks like the steps are seperating from the deck

Ravenworks

Those steps need taken down and done right,why are the railings out of plumb?
I can't really tell but it looks like the roof is going down hill ?

mae-ling

What is holding those steps on?

SingleGuy

This may be an illusion. This pic isn't exactly centered/leveled. The warped boards may be giving it a sloped appearance. I'm going to look later from my neighbor's yard just to make sure.

SingleGuy

Nails only. The nails aren't holding that in well and the angle of the steps along with the risers appears to be all that's keeping it up. Any suggestions on how to make this right?

Ravenworks

You would be better suited to start those stringers from scratch,it appears they cut on them pretty good.

mae-ling

Maybe take them off, cut off the triangles that project under the deck and nail on plywood. Like this http://www.carpentry-pro-framer.com/...attachment.png only use treated plywood.

or metal straps like this http://www.decks.com/deckbuilding/St...ger_Attachment

hand drive

without actually building new stairs and stringers - a simple and quick fix for the stairs is to rip a 4x4 on the angle of the stair angle and put it underneath the stairs up where it meets the deck and then put two posts on both sides that go down to a footing. if you can visualize a 4x4 cut the width of the stairs with the underside flat and level where it sits on top of the 4x posts and the top ripped and resting against the stair stringers.

the reason I mention this method is the way the notch is now in the stringer cuts, they notch and rest against the double deck band holding them from moving inward toward the deck and it just needs something underneath to keep it from moving down and toward the deck, see what I mean?

as far as changing the posts on the deck, while changing each post use a temporary vertical support brace ( floor to beam) up against the deck beam right next to the post as you change it

SingleGuy

Well, I finally got around to working on this project. Took me long enough.

I got these stand-offs and they made this job very easy.

I made a pretty bad error though. I cut a new post, one of the corner posts, about 1/4" too short. I made the mistake of measuring then cutting and realized that I needed to raise the roof a tad to make it level. This, of course, caused my now-cut post to be too short.

Is it detrimental that the roof be totally level? I assume 'yes'. I'm totally prepared to redo this if necessary. If not, then I feel better about this and will remove the 1/4" gap I now have.

I certainly don't want to leave the gap because that means the weight of the roof is resting on the screws and not the wood.

__________________
It's always something...

scottktmrider

Just take siding off and mount your post to the house.Than put j channel around it and that way you would be cutting the bad spots out of the siding.

As far as mounting i would use leg bolts through the wall sheating.

hand drive

1/4 inch is not to bad in most cases. if you were to hold a level against many surfaces of your home you would be amazed at how out of level things are either from time and settling or from being built out of level.

scottktmrider

Being out of level is no big deal unless its alot.Really if it doesnt look out of level you will be fine,not like people will put a level on it when they come to your house.

SingleGuy

Thanks. I was considering this option.

__________________
It's always something...