Saving a Deck and Cash

I saved this homeowner six thousand dollars by removing the rotten wood and adding a little concrete to the Deck Piers.  

1) Problem

Bottom 4 inches of the 37 6x6 cedar deck posts were rotten on this huge deck.

2) Solution

• Cut the bottom 8 inches off the 6x6 cedar post
• Wire Tie Number 4 Rebar (1/2 in x 8 in long) to existing Dowel Pin

Simpson Strong-Tie Model # CPS6 Internet # 100375387 Store SKU # 825329

6 in. x 6 in. Composite Plastic Standoff

 

• Drill New Dowel Pin Hole for the Number 4 Rebar and Install this Composite Standoff to keep the Cedar Post from Rotting in the Future.

• Install New Concrete 10x10 in Concrete Pier Base Cap

• Water Proof and Protect new Concrete Pier with a layer of Concrete Portland/Sand topping mix.

The Client had 2 Bids as suggested:  

• Rebuild Deck Bid 1............................$38,000
• Replace Deck Posts Only Bid 2.........$8,000.  
• 
  

I was the third bid and beat the lowest bid by $6,000.

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Saving a Deck From the Landfill Part 3-

Day 4 Photos of the Structural Deck Repair- 

Installing the Handrails

Rebuilding the Lower Staircase

Simpson Strong Tie Connectors

"St Louis Building Code Department said:

 "Bring the Deck to Current Building Codes or Tear It Down" 

Part 1- Saving a Deck from the Landfill 
Part 2-Saving a Deck from the Landfill
Part 3- Saving a Deck from the Landfill

Part 4- Saving a Deck from the Landfill will post soon ( Power Washing and Paint Next Steps)

Day 4

Upper Staircase Hand Rail Bracing Clean Up	Upper Staircase Completed
Simpson Strong Tie Connector for Post Beam Location	Simpson Strong Tie Connector Post Beam Location
Simpson Strong Tie Connector for Staircase Stringers	Strong Tie Stair Stringer Support Straps 20 ga
Lower Staircase Hand Rails Bracing	Completed Lower Staircase
All Structural Issues Passed Inspection Mar 5, 2012 Power Washing and Paint Next Steps

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Saving a Deck From the Landfill Part 2- Rebuilding the Lower Staircase

Day 3 Photos of the Structural Deck Repair- 

Rebuilding the Lower Staircase

"St Louis Building Code Department said:

 "Bring the Deck to Current Building Codes or Tear It Down" 

Part 1- Saving a Deck from the Landfill 
Part 2-Saving a Deck from the Landfill
Part 3- Saving a Deck from the Landfill

Part 2- Day 3

Lower Stair Case 1x8 Risers 2x12 Treads	Rebuilding the Lower Staircase- 2x12 Treads with 1x8 Risers
Lower Stairs Top View	Lower Stairs Top View
Simpson Strong Tie Connector	Photo will post soon
Upper Stairs 1x8 Risers 2x12 Treads	Upper Stairs Side View 2x12 Treads with 1x8 Risers

Part 1- Saving a Deck from the Landfill 
Part 2-Saving a Deck from the Landfill
Part 3- Saving a Deck from the Landfill will post soon


Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty at the new company website http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP.

Saving a Deck from the Landfill

Deck Repair by Scotty-Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy

Because the Deck was not built to current Building Codes the St Louis Building Code Department required- 

"Bring the Deck to Current Building Codes or Tear it Down"

1. Structural Site Inspection and Documentation of Needed Repairs of the Deck by an Architectural Engineer,
2. Obtain a Repair Permit (based on the Engineers findings) for the needed repairs,
3. Structurally reinforce the existing deck to the Suggestions made by the Architectural Engineer,
4. Repair other areas that are in disrepair
5. Have the added “Structural Work” Inspected by the St Louis Building Code Official
6. Power Wash and Paint
7. Final Inspection by the St Louis Building Code Official and Property Owner

Part 1- Saving a Deck from the Landfill 

Part 2-Saving a Deck from the Landfill

Part 3- Saving a Deck from the Landfill

Day 1 Work Photos

Add ½ in by 8in Lag Bolts at 16in OC at Joist House Connection to existing 3/8 in Lag Bolts	Add ½ in by 8in Lag Bolts at 16in OC at Joist House Connection to existing 3/8 in Lag Bolts, Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy
Additional Photo of Added Lag Bolts to Joist Wall Connection	Additional Photo of Added Lag Bolts to Joist Wall Connection
Lag Bolts at 16in OC the Entire Length of the Joist	Lag Bolts at 16in OC the Entire Length of the Joist
Temporary Support for Safety and to make sure the Deck Stays True and Plumb while we added the Double 2x8 Main Support Beam Note: I don't really think the Deck would have collapsed onto the crew while working on the Main Support but for Peace of Mind I went ahead and installed a Temporary 2x4 Post and Beam.	Temporary Support for Safety
Note: Simpson Strong Tie Connector- Post Beam Connection on 2 Center Posts Outer Post utilize 2- 1/2 x 8in Bolt, Nut, Washer	Simpson Strong Tie Connector- Post Beam Connection on 2 Center Posts

Day 2 Work Photos

Upper Stairs and New Deck Boards 3- 2x12 Stair Stringers 7 3/4in Risers 10 in Tread	Upper Stairs and New Deck Boards
Upper Stairs New Deck Boards New Upper Railing	Upper Stairs,New Deck Boards,New Upper Railing
Removing Lower Stair Case	Removing Lower Stair Case
Adding 2x8 to Existing Double 2x8 Joist- 3 Total 2x8- Combination of 16 Galvanized Nails, Screws, Glued, and 2-1/2 x 8in Bolt, Nut, Washer	Adding 2x8 to Existing Double 2x8 Joist- 3 Total 2x8- Combination of 16 Galvanized Nails, Screws, Glued, and 2-1/2 x 8in Bolt, Nut, Washer

Scotty-Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy

Part 1- Saving a Deck from the Landfill 

Part 2-Saving a Deck from the Landfill

Part 3- Saving a Deck from the Landfill

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP.

Fixing Deck Rails on Porches, Decks, etc

One of my latest repair projects:

• The 2nd Floor deck support rail was leaning away from the building creating a Safety Issue for anyone who leaned on the Support Rail.  
• I used a Ratcheting Tie Down Strap to pull the deck support rail straight.  (In the following diagram you will see the connection points for Plumbing up the deck rail on the 2nd Story Deck.)
• After the Support Rail was re-plumbed I reattached the connection point at the Buildings Masonry wall with 4- 3/8 x 5 1/2 Lags and Masonry Anchors, spaced at 8in OC.

Apply Tension and Pull Towards Building

Scotty Adding 3" Deck Type Screws to Secure Support Rail to Deck

• I also replaced the original nails that had pulled loose with 3" Deck Screws
• I then added a 2x4x14' to hold the Deck Rail into position.  (See Action Photo Above)

Anchor to Wall w/ Lag Screws and Concrete Anchors

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP.