Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - major deck problems
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blueridge142
05-05-07, 03:45 PM
Hi all,
About a year ago a bought lumber from a very well known Home Repair Store (and the name might have Depot at the end of it) to build a nice size deck. I live in a manufactured home so the deck was to be free standing. the deck was to wrap around part of the house. the decks size is 36' X 12' on one side and 34' X 12' on the other. so to recap;
free standing deck
36 X 12 and
34 X 12.
the wood is all pressure treated, 2X6 decking and joist, 2X12 beams, and 4X4 post and 2X4 ballast which were ripped to 1X2 for cost savings.
I ordered the wood and in a rush did not inspect this wood when it was delivered. This wood was soaking wet and I live in Southern Arizona. I worked as fast as I could but some boards warped on me. My big problem is that it seems the wood expands and contracts more than it should causing my railing to constantly come loose, the railing is 4X4 post with a 2X6 railing and the 1X2 ballast with two long 5/8" carriage bolts holding the 4X4 in place on each post. No matter how much I tighten the bolts it will still come loose, I made sure it wasn’t the nut backing off. Another problem is that the deck wobbles when you walk on it, this is a free standing deck but I’m not sure if it should wobble. the final problem is I used all deck mate screws to put the deck together, I would say that at least 50 percent of the anything screwed in was loosened, or popped out of the framing.
The question, is this all due to the "quality wood I paid for" which came soaking wet or do i have massive structural problems? Does anyone have any tips to better secure everything with out it costing me any a lot of money? I spent about $4950 total for the deck, with me and a friend building it. from blue prints drawn up on a Home Depot deck designer software. Anyone want to tackle this ???? thanks in advance
About a year ago a bought lumber from a very well known Home Repair Store (and the name might have Depot at the end of it) to build a nice size deck. I live in a manufactured home so the deck was to be free standing. the deck was to wrap around part of the house. the decks size is 36' X 12' on one side and 34' X 12' on the other. so to recap;
free standing deck
36 X 12 and
34 X 12.
the wood is all pressure treated, 2X6 decking and joist, 2X12 beams, and 4X4 post and 2X4 ballast which were ripped to 1X2 for cost savings.
I ordered the wood and in a rush did not inspect this wood when it was delivered. This wood was soaking wet and I live in Southern Arizona. I worked as fast as I could but some boards warped on me. My big problem is that it seems the wood expands and contracts more than it should causing my railing to constantly come loose, the railing is 4X4 post with a 2X6 railing and the 1X2 ballast with two long 5/8" carriage bolts holding the 4X4 in place on each post. No matter how much I tighten the bolts it will still come loose, I made sure it wasn’t the nut backing off. Another problem is that the deck wobbles when you walk on it, this is a free standing deck but I’m not sure if it should wobble. the final problem is I used all deck mate screws to put the deck together, I would say that at least 50 percent of the anything screwed in was loosened, or popped out of the framing.
The question, is this all due to the "quality wood I paid for" which came soaking wet or do i have massive structural problems? Does anyone have any tips to better secure everything with out it costing me any a lot of money? I spent about $4950 total for the deck, with me and a friend building it. from blue prints drawn up on a Home Depot deck designer software. Anyone want to tackle this ???? thanks in advance
Tscarborough
05-05-07, 09:11 PM
Keep tightening until the wood fully dries out. If it is wobbly, you may want to add some 45 degree supports between the posts and joists.