Why it is important to look and everything in your STR

[Michael Baum]

So, I noticed upon inspection of our deck that there was a upright post for the upper deck railing that was rotten and split. So when I came back the next week with all my tools to replace it, I got to work.

I removed the post, the lag bolts came out pretty easy...plus the main beam (6"x16"x16' glulam) that holds up the deck had some rot in it. 
And it was cladded in siding. So I pulled off the siding and found...a mess.

There was a open knot hole that was essentially draining water right down between the siding and the beam. Must have been going on for years. It was as wet as any log that rolls in and lands on our beach. White fungus deep in the beam. It is a standard interior glulam. Not rated for exterior use.

I certainly didn't expect this much rot in that beam but there it is.

I did expect the area where the post was attached had some rot. It isn't as bad as the other area but still.

So this Friday a new beam and post (the 6x6 in the first photo on the outside of the deck) has a tiny bit of rot in it so I elected to order up another one.

The new beam is a Alaskan Yellow Cedar glulam as is the post. Plus I need to install a support wall to hold up the deck, remove the railings, remove the 1st deck board (and replace some as there is rot) then pull all the joist hanger nails.

The crew will come and replace next week sometimes. I consider myself lucky I got a quality mid sized firm to do the work. They are only charging me for a day of work an the boom fork lift rental (timed with another job in our area so no full $$$ days). 

All told I am looking at about $3000 or so to replace it. I am building a new railing and reattaching the joist hangers. $1500 for beam/post/2x4x10's. Not bad at all

Long story short, make sure you walk your decks. Even underneath to make sure they are holding up. It is amazing how many joist nails pop in a year. I replace them with joist screws (Spax usually or Simpson). Not construction screws, or drywall screws. Joist hanger screws. Shear strength matters.

Check them railings. Replace deck boards as needed and stain that thing every other year. I need it this year but I am not sure I will get to it before  the first guest arrive first week of May. 

I will post some photos of the repaired beam and railing.

[JD Martin]

Quote from @Michael Baum:

Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Good catch, Michael! And a good quality repair job, not a cheepie fix like many would do!

Also good job using rated lags for the repair..... :-)

Thanks man! Actually I think I am going to use LedgerLok units. I have used them before and they really grab well. I did pickup some Simpson StrongTie 6x6 beam/post ties as well as a 6x6 post mount. Just in case.

There is a time to be frugal and a time to spend the dough. This is a $$$ spending time. The deck above is small and that beam is waaaaay oversized. That beam could span 32', but everything is build to that size so...there ya go!

No way I want that deck coming down with guests on it or down on guests on the main deck. That is the textbook definition of negligence. :)

 Depends on who the guests are 🤣😜