Deck joist hanger issue
#1
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Deck joist hanger issue
I had about a 6' x 10' area added on to my deck about 10 years ago. I was down below looking at it & it appears that the joists that were added have come out of the joist holders about 1/4". Looks like the guy used about 2 1/2" screws but only on 1 side of the holder. Any suggestions on how to get the joist back that 1/4"?
#2
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Welcome to the forums!
pics would help us better understand just what needs to be done - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
pics would help us better understand just what needs to be done - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
#3
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It's possible it was the board shrinking in length as it dried. It's also possible they were simply cut too short. It will be difficult to shove the deck/joists in to close the gap and you'll have to be careful to not damage the house by applying too much side pressure.
If all the joists have a similar gap you can remove the screws into the joists and use a tractor or front end loader to push on the side of the deck to close the gaps. You can also use a come-along to winch the gap closed. Then while still holding pressure on the joists to keep the gap closed install the proper fasteners into the hangar brackets.
If all the joists have a similar gap you can remove the screws into the joists and use a tractor or front end loader to push on the side of the deck to close the gaps. You can also use a come-along to winch the gap closed. Then while still holding pressure on the joists to keep the gap closed install the proper fasteners into the hangar brackets.
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As Pilot Dane says, it is due to normal wood shrinkage in all dimensions of the joists, band joists posts and decking. The wood has settled into the place it wants to be. Unless it's causing a problem or feels rickety, it's best to leave it alone. If you try to tighten it you will cause stress that will pull out fasteners and cause cracks and splits.
#6
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I would not have even noticed if I hadn't stained it. It doesn't feel rickety or anything, but I have a hot tub that partially sits on that area, a small one, that is a little concern to me.
#7
That type of hanger is not for toenailing in the first place. It was supposed to have 1 1/2" nails driven perpendicular into the joist.
The pics make it look like it has pulled out recently. You might consider using lateral tension devices, with one half bolted through the interior rim joist, the other half on the joist, (in your case, one on each side of the opposite side of the ledger) then as you tighten it, it would pull them back together. Decks nowadays need at least 2 of these to prevent that sort of thing.
From those few pics... its safe to say that's a very poorly designed deck, structurally speaking. You might consider having it inspected... I suspect its not safe.
The pics make it look like it has pulled out recently. You might consider using lateral tension devices, with one half bolted through the interior rim joist, the other half on the joist, (in your case, one on each side of the opposite side of the ledger) then as you tighten it, it would pull them back together. Decks nowadays need at least 2 of these to prevent that sort of thing.
From those few pics... its safe to say that's a very poorly designed deck, structurally speaking. You might consider having it inspected... I suspect its not safe.
#8
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My inspectors are very particular about brackets. They want to see the number "10" on the head of the nail. You can argue that screws are better but the brackets were designed and approved with a specific fastener/nail.
In your case the toe-screwing might have left much less of the wood engaged with the screw allowing the joist to pull through. Angled in like that the screw is catching a little traingle of wood. The proper #10 by 1 1/2" nail sunk perpendicular grabs better into the wood of the joist.
In your case the toe-screwing might have left much less of the wood engaged with the screw allowing the joist to pull through. Angled in like that the screw is catching a little traingle of wood. The proper #10 by 1 1/2" nail sunk perpendicular grabs better into the wood of the joist.
#11
It "might" bring it together again... but doesn't make up for the fact that all those hangers are all hanging on a single member... on what looks like it "used to be" the rim joist of a cantilevered deck that may have been added on to at some point... the 2 posts we can see look like you could kick them out with your foot... the one pictured on the end doesn't even seem to be under the load path! I hate to imagine what the rest looks like. There is probably a reason why those joists are pulling away... the hot tub is probably only part of the reason.
Also unless they have ripped through the wood, it looks like someone pulled the nails out and added the screws. You can see the holes where they were?
Also unless they have ripped through the wood, it looks like someone pulled the nails out and added the screws. You can see the holes where they were?
#12
Just an additional fyi...
This illustration is a joist hanger that gets toenailed... http://cdn1.tmbi.com/TFH/Step-By-Ste..._JOIHAN_06.JPG
This one is like yours and does not... http://cdn1.tmbi.com/TFH/Step-By-Ste..._JOIHAN_07.JPG
See the difference?
This illustration is a joist hanger that gets toenailed... http://cdn1.tmbi.com/TFH/Step-By-Ste..._JOIHAN_06.JPG
This one is like yours and does not... http://cdn1.tmbi.com/TFH/Step-By-Ste..._JOIHAN_07.JPG
See the difference?
#13
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Well, my picture may not show it well enough, mine looks like the one that gets toenailed. It just has the 2 screws in place of nails. It has a place on each side of the joist to have 2 toenailed in, but they only did 1 side & not the other.
#14
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Regarding the ratchet straps you have under the deck. You need to be careful. How firmly attached are the pices you're pulling against. In your photo on one end I can't see any attachment of the beam to the deck. If it is attached I'm guessing it's just a few toe nails. It won't withstand much lateral/side force.