I've placed 3 footings in the ground for a 14x4ft deck. Two of the footing are in a straight line and about 30 inches away from the house. The 3rd footing (on the end) was done in a rush and I screwed up the distance from the house so the 3rd footing is 33 inches away from the house.which mean the 3rd footing will not line up with the other 2 footing when I go to install the cantilever beam. Are there any suggestions on how I can get around this problem? My thought was to try to put the cantilever in but have it be crooked but I'm not sure that's a good idea. I may be able to hit the edge of the 3rd footing, not sure if that's a better option. I'm sick to my stomach about this.

Any ideas, workarounds? The footings are 8 inch footings and I was going to use 6 inch posts with 2x8 construction.

 

Can you shift the 2 posts by 1.5" in one direction and the other -1.5"?

 

I could but then 2 posts would be right on the edge while the 3rd would be just about center. It's possible but I don't know if having posts right on the edge of a footing is a good idea. The deck is only about 2 feet off the ground so it's not really a dangerous situation if something were to happen.

 

I would move the 2 30 inch posts out 1 inch. That should not effect anything.

So now you only have 2 inches to make up.

Make a support out of 3 2X8's stitch nailed/screwed together.
Gluing them would also be a good idea.

Then notch out a 1.5X7.5 at the top.
Would also not hurt to 45 or so the bottom so there is no wood overhanging your footing.
Then you can set your beam in the notch and screw it to this support.
If using a double 2X8 just make the notch deeper.

I am assuming that the footings are 3 foot or better deep.
Also that you are not using post holders on the top of the footings.

If you have an old shingle etc put a peice under each post. This sops moisture wicking up through the concrete and rotting the post.

I hope the above makes sense and will work for you.

 

Thank you, this might work. I was thinking of something similar as I was standing outside just staring at it.

Yup, holes are deeper than 3 feet and no post holders on top. Thanks for the tip of the shingles too. Have never heard of this before.

 

I hope it works out for you.

One other thing about the shingles is trim them off after the deck is done so they do not catch and hold water.

 

If the footings are sufficiently deep and solid haveing the post off set of center will not cause any issues, the load is still vertical!

 

To piggy back off the subject. How long do I have to let the footings dry before I can start the deck? Internet search says 5 days?

 

A week is sufficient time to continue!