Hey all –
Fixin’ to build myself a deck. It’ll be 16×16, entirely under a gable roof. The roof is conventionally stick-framed, and rests on two 6×6 posts, which rest on 12″ concrete piers that extend to a depth of 48″ below grade.
NOW, the questions. The aforementioned footings are not mechanically connected to the posts. No anchor bolts, straps, post bases, etc. And when the footings for the mid-span posts/beam (not yet installed) were poured a couple weeks back, no one bothered to put anchor bolts in them, either.
I’m thinking this is not good. Although I’m a clueless homeowner, I was of the distinct impression that one always anchors decks down to protect against the possibility of wind uplift.
What with a big roof that’s attached to the rest of my house, and the fact that we live in Nebraska, a place not known for its tranquil, windless climate, I’m more than a little concerned. Should someone (i.e. me) be drilling the footings and epoxying in some anchor bolts?
Thanks.
Jason
Replies
Just speaking to your question about anchoring there is several epoxy systems out there for drilling and placing an anchor bolt in the piers. Hilti Corp and Strong Tie, to name a few, has ways to help. Just check with your material supplier.
Around here anything with a roof has to have an engineer stamp, precisely because of the wind issue. Not only should the floor be tied to the footings, but the walls should be strapped to the floor framing and the roof strapped to the walls.
Just to echo Jagwah & Dan, I would not even THINK of building a deck without the foundation (posts in this case) having anchors to hold the wooden framing supports.Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
Here is a deck I recently built with a pic of the anchor bolt pattern.
It is stamped also.
Whooops...
I guess I double clicked.
Just got irfanview so we'll see how this works
Lot faster downloading a 140k image over the 3 meg one!!!Is you gonna cut the bolt sticking out of the 6x6? I can see some kid running by and leaving some skin on those things.Kevin
Rotflmao...
I was wondering who would be the first to catch that.
The day we built that it was very hot and our brains were just a little fried from the heat. One of the hands put it in backwards on accident (might have even been me for that matter). We did change it out to make it look good.
The deck overhangs a foot so it wouldnt be a problem with it sticking out but it looks like hammered you know what.
When everthing is going your way, your in the wrong lane
Edited 8/19/2007 9:53 pm by bambam
I looked carefully, and I don't see where you nailed the posts on to the elevated posts. Did I miss that and need a new prescription?Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
They are hard to see as they are the same color as the brackets. We used the Simson nails as per the the engineers specs. You might have to zoom in to see.
The "Y" brackets are probably not necessary but it is called for over 36" tall and we had 36 1/4" so I didnt want engineer to say we did not follow his specs exact.
I still would have used the ABU 66 with the bolt thru pattern but it didnt call for it.
When everthing is going your way, you're in the wrong lane
Edited 8/20/2007 9:31 am by bambam
Glad to hear that :o)
And we did cut the reminder off too once we got 'em turned the right way. There were I think two others that way. One was mine.
A PITA to take back out too.When everthing is going your way, you're in the wrong lane
absolutely.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
A 16x16 roof over a deck with 2 support post will mean that all the uplift at the outer edge of the roof will have to be handled by the connections that join the two 6x6's to the foundation.
I think that the previously posted pictures of a nicely anchored deck post may not be substantial enough to handle the load of only two roof supports. There are stouter pieces of anchoring hardware available.
How stout, which fasteners and their configuration should be determined by a very experienced builder or better yet and engineer.
What a way to insure that a freak wind shear doesn't flip the top off your new deck and fold on top of your exisiting structure.
Deck shot and the house badly damaged....makes the engineering fees look very very cheap!
..................Iron Helix
"How stout, which fasteners and their configuration should be determined by a very experienced builder or better yet and engineer"
Come, come now. This is a very typical situation. Sure there needs to be hold down connections at the top and bottom of the post, and tying the roof joists to the beam, but these are readily available. There is no need to involve an engineer unless you are building in an area prone to severe winds. And it that's the case the porch probably isn't the only thing to have him look at.
Yes, I agree it is a typical building situation....BUT we do not know if the builder is a well knowledged pro or a neophite with some handy man experience, Therefore my advice's intent was to cover a safe gambit from an experienced builder to an engineer.
How can the OP know he has the best advice possible, when he lacks credible knowledge of the building situation or the builders competence. I offered options that should allow for reliable results, and top of the line would be the engineer.
I've seen too many "builders" that lack in depth knowledge of methods and materials and operate on the premise "We've always done it this way, and never had any problems"! This premise does not correct for patently incorrect applications.
His choice, his money, his house.............Iron Helix
Yes, "we do not know if the builder is a well knowledged pro "I submit for evidence the fact that to date, no hold down plans were considered when the concrete was placed!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Thank you, counsel
Isn't Nebraska right next door to Kansas and Toto & Dorothy's home.
............Iron Helix
Edited 8/13/2007 6:57 pm by IronHelix
Too true. I guess I'm a bit prickly about builders running to engineers for situations that don't warrant it, but you and IronHelix are right. Someone here needs some help.
Yeah, not always need an engineer, depending on your experience, but something is missing in this production so far...
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Jason IronHelix is correct. A better fastener would be Simpson ABU66 bolt thru. It has more "meat" to it and most codes accept it. You should check for yourself though. They look similar to the ones on the 6x6's but larger and can fasten to the concrete with one bolt which sounds like what you will have to do.
Disregard the 4x4s as that is no way to support a roof of any kind. This deck was not engineered to support a roof by the 4x4s.
Edited 8/13/2007 7:52 am by bambam