[usaf060stud]

Hi,

I noticed that one of the support beam underneath the patio deck has a crack going down almost the entire length of the support beam. It doesn't go all the way through but probably 30-60%.

Is this something a homeowner can just purchase and replace via DIY? I'm hoping I can just buy the support beams precut with the bolt holes drilled out already, but it could be wishful thinking. If so, where?

My 65 lb kindergartner has been doing her virtual karate out in the patio, not sure if all the jumping the past 30 days could have caused it.

Thanks

 

[Nealtw]

It is not something you could buy off the shelf. They are more decorative than structural. Nothing will happen if it breaks right off.

 

[joecaption]

It's called checking.
Caused from uneven drying, it has nothing to do with anything anyone has done.
It's not decorative, it's there to help keep the deck from swaying from side to side.
Likely not going to be an issue, but if it really bothers you buy a new 4 X 4 and leave it laying out in the sun for a few weeks sitting off the ground to let it dry out, if it does not twist, curl or check, cut it and replace the other one.

 

[huesmann]

It is not something you could buy off the shelf. They are more decorative than structural. Nothing will happen if it breaks right off.

Looks just like a piece of PT 4x4 to me, but you prolly know wood better than I do. :confused1:

 

[3onthetree]

If you want to replace it, just buy another 4x4 and trace the cuts and angle of hole bores onto your new one you get. BTW the reason so many nails were put in at the top is probably because the bolt wasn't holding being at an angle. It should be bored into the wood to allow it to be fastened 90d to the wood above, just like the lower ones are.

You can ask your kindergartner if she karate chopped the brace and broke it with her superhuman strength, that you'd like to put her to work choppin firewood :biggrin2:

 

[Nealtw]

Looks just like a piece of PT 4x4 to me, but you prolly know wood better than I do. :confused1:

I think the question was, will they find one cut and drilled.

 

[schreibdave]

If you were to take that 4x4 down and bring it to a lumber yard or home depot they would probably cut a new one to those dimensions for you. If you own a drill, they could also set you up with the drill bit(s) you would need to drill holes in your new piece.

 

[usaf060stud]

So can I remove it without having to place a temporary support?

 

[schreibdave]

So can I remove it without having to place a temporary support?

Yes. But maybe avoid gathering on the deck.

 

[Nealtw]

Yes. But maybe avoid gathering on the deck.

What exactly do you think will fail? :vs_cool:

 

[schreibdave]

I think a gathering of people could cause that end to sway a little, loosening up all the fasteners elsewhere. Its not going to fall to the ground but long term you dont want all the connections to loosen up.

 

[usaf060stud]

Thanks everyone. Good to know that it isn't an emergency and I have time to DIY it or just hire a handyman if I needed.

 

[Nealtw]

I think a gathering of people could cause that end to sway a little, loosening up all the fasteners elsewhere. Its not going to fall to the ground but long term you dont want all the connections to loosen up.

The deck is attached ti the house the roof is attached to the house> so the decking and the roof sheeting hold it square abs well as all the same braces going in the same direction.

If you want to worry about a danger on that deck I suggest you look at the notched joist and the lack of hangers.

 

[ron45]

It's called checking.
Caused from uneven drying, it has nothing to do with anything anyone has done.
It's not decorative, it's there to help keep the deck from swaying from side to side.
Likely not going to be an issue, but if it really bothers you buy a new 4 X 4 and leave it laying out in the sun for a few weeks sitting off the ground to let it dry out, if it does not twist, curl or check, cut it and replace the other one.

Also, it's a second story deck and the post are only attached using ties at the deck and maybe feet at the bottom.

 

[usaf060stud]

Also, it's a second story deck and the post are only attached using ties at the deck and maybe feet at the bottom.

Can you elaborate/explain little more so I can understand?

 

[schreibdave]

Can you elaborate/explain little more so I can understand?

They are saying that the area circled in red should have joist hangers like this picture below. And that the area circled in orange should not have been notched to make room for the 2x6(?).

 

[3onthetree]

They are saying that the area circled in red should have joist hangers like this picture below. And that the area circled in orange should not have been notched to make room for the 2x6(?).

It looks like a (3) 2x beam with a 2x2 ledger strip the joists are notched and resting on. For the house framing, you would be able to rest floor joists on a ledger strip to take the vertical loads. However, for decks that is not a prescriptive method because of other forces like uplift and lateral loads, where hangers can counter those. There are other things that are not exactly current, like the bracing on every post and maybe how the beam rests on the posts with the corner bracket, but this was probably built before some of the more in-depth requirements for decks were specified. I don't think there is anything to worry about, at least sitting here at my computer looking at a few pictures.

 

[Nealtw]

It looks like a (3) 2x beam with a 2x2 ledger strip the joists are notched and resting on. For the house framing, you would be able to rest floor joists on a ledger strip to take the vertical loads. However, for decks that is not a prescriptive method because of other forces like uplift and lateral loads, where hangers can counter those. There are other things that are not exactly current, like the bracing on every post and maybe how the beam rests on the posts with the corner bracket, but this was probably built before some of the more in-depth requirements for decks were specified. I don't think there is anything to worry about, at least sitting here at my computer looking at a few pictures.

I haven't seen a ledger board and notched joists in a house for 30 years, it's all hangers now.

 

[3onthetree]

I haven't seen a ledger board and notched joists in a house for 30 years, it's all hangers now.

Me either, but IRC code does acknowledge it, also resting on a 1x4 mounted against the studs for a shout out to any balloon framers still hammerin away.

 

[Nealtw]

Me either, but IRC code does acknowledge it, also resting on a 1x4 mounted against the studs for a shout out to any balloon framers still hammerin away.

I guess it is a local thing here, we have had framers from else about that bring their habits get paid and leave. Joists anywhere that are notched like that would be referred to the engineer and most of those can be talked in block fill the space above that 2x2 with set nail pattern and then add hangers.