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Overhang support

und76xx | Posted in Construction Techniques on June 8, 2009 04:24am

I am writing for a friend who is about to buy a local condo after a divorce. It is a two story unit. There is a walkout basement with a cement patio outside. Dimensions @ 10′ x 12′. Above is a three season porch. The roof of the porch is supported by three 4×4 pressure treated 12′ beams. (I am not a pro so my terminology may be incorrect) They sit on the deck floor. Below the deck is supported in the same fashion – three 4×4 pressure treated pillars and the deck is attached by a ledger board. Is this safe? Is this even code?

Thanks for your comments.

Mike

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  1. User avater
    Sphere | Jun 09, 2009 02:28am | #1

    Got a pic?

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  2. DaveRicheson | Jun 12, 2009 01:16pm | #2

    As Sphere said a picture would help.

    Are you asking about the post size and ledger board?

    Ledger boards are code complient when properly installed. 4x4 post are also acceptable depending on the deck or roof height and the joist size.

    More information will get you more opinions. 

    1. aworkinprogress | Jun 12, 2009 11:57pm | #3

      Are you all familiar with the brand spankin-new fangled requirements regarding securing a deck to the home. I would have thought that Simpson themselves wrote the code. They at the moment are the only manufacturers of the necessary hardware....

  3. Piffin | Jun 13, 2009 01:10am | #4

    Maybe if fastened correctly.

    your concern seems to be with the size of the posts ( not beams, which run horizontally instead of vertical)
    The post size is fine.

    The most common reasons for porch/deck failures is the fastening of the joists and ledger to the wall combined with overloading.

     

     

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    CapnMac | Jun 13, 2009 03:54am | #5

    Howdy judge Mike, been a while.

    Until you can get us photographic pictures, perhaps fill in the word picture?

    You say 3 4x4 deck to roof, and also same deck to patio below.

    Is that three together at the outside corners?

    Or, is it 3 along the 12' dimension, one left, one center, and one right?

    Our "knowledge base" here will want to know what inder the deck in the (I'll guess) 6' x 10' bays from the postes to the ledger.  Got a guess as to how thich the deck is (appears to be)?

    Oh, and the very real answer may be on what's under the patio holdign the posts up, than their dimension or span.  Next critical spot might be the roof over the deck--seen too many toenailed to plywood' nolted to code ledger for deck not much good with porch roof falling on it).

    Hoping that does not muddy the waters too much.

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
    1. und76xx | Jun 15, 2009 04:56pm | #6

      Sorry it took so long to reply - gone for the weekend finding a son with a broken car up-north.I wish I could get a pic for you to see. There are several condos in various stages of completion. But my digital camera is without battery/charger."Is that three together at the outside corners? Or, is it 3 along the 12' dimension, one left, one center, and one right'? It is the later. Both from the cement patio to the deck and then from the deck base to the overhang above there are three - lft,ctr,rt.Deck appears to be 10" beams(?) The 'other' boards running perpendicular to the beams are smaller - maybe 8". The ledger board is also 10" and is bolted - lag bolts - to the condo proper. Above is a slider slightly smaller than the deck itself - or the three seasons porch. Cannot tell you what is under the patio - cannot even tell you how thick the concrete is - all yards are in and grass is too close.For some reason to me - a pure novice - this looks unstable. I know looks can be deceiving. But that appears to be a lot of weight and not enough support. I will try my best to get a picture.Thanks, MikePS - I am fine - thanks for asking. But I have to admit my mid-summer golf game sucks.

      1. User avater
        CapnMac | Jun 15, 2009 09:43pm | #7

        For some reason to me - a pure novice - this looks unstable. I know looks can be deceiving. But that appears to be a lot of weight and not enough support.

        Well. 4x4, being only 3.5 x 3.5, can be visually very "skinny."  With as few as are in place, this will only be exacerbated.  Now, a cheesy 4x4 will carry a ton and a half, as long as it is applied through it's middle third (cantilevers complicate structural life).

        Which brings us back to the connection to ground, even a half-ton is a lot when reduced to the ±10 sq in of a 4x4 as a point load on concrete.  if you can get over there, put an eyeball on how the connection to the patio is made.  Ideal world would have some sort of base connecting post to concrete (this would also suggest some form of beam or pier below, not a mere 3-4 inches of flatwork concrete).

        The other, perceptual, thing might be a lack of visible diagonal bracing.  Visually, you could be perceiving a "heavy thing" on "spindly legs"--this is a visceral response sometimes.

        I will try my best to get a picture.

        Even cellphone pics would likely help some.

        PS - I am fine - thanks for asking. But I have to admit my mid-summer golf game sucks.

        Well, my game peaked at driving a cart with Jack N, Jr. onboard; only best hole for me being the 19th.  That, and it's been near the century all last wekk, and like as not all this week--just gone from pleasant, to flat-out Texas Summer in only a week.  That, and it has not rained since Memorial Day.  Not that we were ahead on rain before that.  Is what it is.

         Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

        1. und76xx | Jun 15, 2009 11:26pm | #8

          I'm going to Best Buy tonight to hopefully replace my camera battery charger. If that works I can get pics to you via the net. But then again I will not waste yours or my time - my friend has indicated a desire to get a 'downtown' condo now. Refurbished factories turned into condos. Nice look - old old hardwood floors and 22' ceilings. Its the new thing around here - the in City living and old look.Mike

          1. kate | Jun 16, 2009 12:21am | #9

            Renovated factory condo sounds MUCH better than the one you desscibed - Good luck to your friend!

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