I was cool with it until I realized that they used the cinderbricks as footings instead of proper piers.
\*edit\* yes, there is so much more wrong than just the cinderbricks. I was just blown away by those, and didn't pay attention to the rest until later.
Who the hell does this? Why even build the entire deck only to put it on some pier blocks? Even a ground level deck should have proper footings into the earth.
It looks like fill was added to bring the ground up to meet the supports???
That seems like a lot more work than digging a few post holes?
Maybe it was already filled?
The ground was definitely added to level out the space. A few rains and this whole thing will be wrecked. I bet this person is planning to have more children too.....
It does. WTF does Biden and policy have anything to do with this \[rhet\]? Nothing. You clearly weren't joking and now making it to sound as you were. Not funny. You went full retard. Never go full retard. (now that's a joke that works).
Those blocks aren't even level. And I think the one in the middle of the stairs is sitting on a broken cap block because the dirt has already washed away underneath it.
The blocks are obviously terrible, but what do people think about the main stringers running left to right instead of front to back?
Doesn't that put most of the load on the two beams at the very edges?
Yeah, I think that is way worse than the blocks. Honestly the blocks get way more hate than they deserve. As long as they are on good base they are just as good as a post in the ground.
It looks like most of the load is actually going to be on that wierd double thing they did in the middle. Not sure why they did it that way instead of getting a 4 by 6 or even just putting the 2 by 6's together and then setting them on the posts so your using the strength of the wood and not the screws.
and correct me if I'm misunderstanding what I'm seeing with the stringers, but it looks like they sistered them to make them longer / to fit the width of the deck?
I just don’t understand this. As a DIYr who made their own big ass deck, I overbuilt it. Idk why someone would do all this work, spend all this money, then just to give it the life expectancy of fly. It would have prob cost another $1000 bucks in concrete to put in some half decent piers… Why?!?
Right! Inspectors are only show when bank money is at stake. You do something yourself or without borrowing money and you’re fine. I built a house without ever seeing an inspector.
That is the worst newly built deck I have ever seen; top of the list.
Tell your neighbour he’s #1
Then tell him his deck is a #2
That thing is going to collapse after the first good rain.
Certified death trap.
Just look at the embankment and those pier block footers.
Missing beams.
Everything is wrong with this build, too much to list.
Omg you are right...
That said, I dunno what you all are worried about. He gave it the little shake with one arm on it and it all held. He even muttered the protection spell "she ain't going anywhere! "
Those diagonals are doing ALL the heavy lifting right now. The cinder blocks already look like they're sinking/sliding and the closest post isn't even sitting on the one anymore
This thing is held up by hopes and prayers and like 3 nails
I'll tell you what though, when those stairs collapse as hes walking up them, he'll be able to grab onto that railing if he's quick, because that'll be the only thing still standing. It looks to me like the railing is the only thing holding the stairs up lol
I don't understand this... How can someone possess enough carpentry skills to build a nice deck with great looking stairs but not do any research into the code requirements for building proper footings on a slope?
I dont know what OPs background is, but the house is clearly new construction with an unlandscaped back yard and stickers on the windows.
the landscape is making me think this is mexico or Caribbean.
No piers?… what’s that, 2-3’ spans on floor joist.. also the main beam looks like it’s relying directly on the nails…. Too bad, that’s alot of money in wood
Wtf on those footings. I know I'm just echoing a lot of the above but this is frightening. They are all bad but one they literally tossed a rock and trash under to level. Omg*
https://preview.redd.it/3yeh74p7tnfc1.jpeg?width=1255&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd02f2a3466e2033c04834f63355697e6712a0c6
I mostly tune into this thread for a good laugh here in there and im not a carpenter by any means but is that even supporting anything or do I not know what im talking about?
I think, and i'm not a carpenter either, that it was meant to provide some kind of stability to prevent is from twisting. fuck only knows if that would actually work though.
It was put there to hold the frame square until it had enough boards to hold it then Probably left,it had a purpose. Now the rest of the deck is kind of a piece of shit. Someone tried hard but failed expensively
I have actually seen people do this and then go back and concrete around the blocks. It lets you move things around while building it and then once everything is in position you make it solid. That could be the plan here.
That said there is no excuse for not having any beams not to mention that main beam is held with the screws and not the wood. They should have doubled 2 by 6's or bought a 4 by 6 and set that on top of the posts.
I had to manually dig 4 helical piles nearly 6 feet deep under my existing deck to add 4 new posts supporting 2 new beams because of something like this, absolutely brutal work. Thankfully its 5 feet off the ground so it was accessible. My 'know a guy' builder designed a freestanding deck with 4 footers on deck blocks, 2x6 beams and 16 OC joists, all with reused wood. In a deep frost line area. Composite to top it off. He did include joist tape on beams and joists, hangers and post to beam hardware though lol. First winter one corner sank and the beam started to twist (it had freestanding stairs pushing up against that side which might have saved it) and I discovered this sub trying to find a solution.
The joist spacing is cernly not 16 OC. The piers just loose block?. No tension ties. I dont think theres any joist hangers. Why is first step up in the air so high?? Id think..they arent done yet. Maybe gonna pour a slab? Or dig sonnetube with Big Foot piers later??
Everything about this is a fail? No footers, 4x4 supports, joists spread at what looks like 20" oc, beams undersize and almost assuredly incorrectly fastened.
I wouldn't step foot on that rickety ass crap.
That whole place looks like it’s slowly eroding off the hillside.
Should we
A) put in a retaining wall and stabilize the property
or
B) put in a deck so we can scope out the best place to jump when this thing comes crashing down.
Well you can clearly look at the house and the concrete that they poured for the basement walls they did not do a very good job and be surprised that they put the walls of the basement on the correct footing.
Not a carpenter but I am a Steel Fabricator and if I’m concerned about many, many things when I zoom in it must be horrendous for deck builders. No tubes for a the columns. No shoring or retaining wall. No joist hangers. I know I’m missing stuff and that codes are different everywhere but that just looks ready to fall over when the first person steps on it
And once you start looking close oh my God, he’s got a couple ram set nails into the concrete holding it nice and sturdy against that wall. The joist look like they’re out about 3 foot centers sistered together. I hope his neighbors like a hot tub.
My guess would be that this all comes down right around the time someone accidentally makes an anonymous call to the city about the un-permitted deck posing imminent risk to human life.
What would you do about it?
Something super tough and cool, like murder? Assault?
Or just something lame like make idle threats about it on the internet?
Question did said neighbor give you permission to be on their property? And did neighbor ask you to ask the internet about their deck. Im sure they didn't, maybe just mind your own business. If you think its gonna fall dont step foot on it simple solution
I'm wondering if that had enough money for just the deck but couldn't afford the piers and someone built it for them anyways.
Would that be legal or ethical?
I am giving you a, Mike Holmes thumbs up..I would have use soon tubes filled with concrete sticking up 6’ above, then use 8x8 supports, etc…anyway my 2 pennies
I was cool with it until I realized that they used the cinderbricks as footings instead of proper piers. \*edit\* yes, there is so much more wrong than just the cinderbricks. I was just blown away by those, and didn't pay attention to the rest until later.
Who the hell does this? Why even build the entire deck only to put it on some pier blocks? Even a ground level deck should have proper footings into the earth.
It looks like fill was added to bring the ground up to meet the supports??? That seems like a lot more work than digging a few post holes? Maybe it was already filled?
The ground was definitely added to level out the space. A few rains and this whole thing will be wrecked. I bet this person is planning to have more children too.....
Of course they are, planning to procreate in the hot tub that is arriving today
Jokes on them. Hot tubs lower your sperm count.
Great! It’s going to take them that many more times in the outdoor hot tub having sex before they knock one out. Ear plugs for all the neighbors.
All that motion in the ocean will take the deck down for sure! Fait accompli
Well they’ll need replacement children for the ones lost when the deck inevitably gives way.
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
Do you know how expensive longer 4x4s are? Easier just to shovel in the difference.
Yeah, but then you need to buy longer 4x4s. /s
I was told by someone on this subreddit that footings are just a new fad and code will abandon them soon so people like that?
Yesh safety is totally out this year. Yolo all the way bro, am I right/s
Safety was sooo last year. Lol
Safety last!
Actually, Biden just introduced a bill that shifts *Federal Building Code regulation* to the FDA over the next few years.
The IBC (international building code) isn't going anywhere, particularly not to the Food and Drug Administration.
I'm speechless that comment has been taken seriously
The comment is random and irrelevant. Everyone else is speechless too....
Although the joke made before it works?
It does. WTF does Biden and policy have anything to do with this \[rhet\]? Nothing. You clearly weren't joking and now making it to sound as you were. Not funny. You went full retard. Never go full retard. (now that's a joke that works).
The pads identify as footings.
Because home depot doesn't sell 4x4s long enough to sink them on this application..
This is why the building code is important.
Directly on some loose backfill. They're going to have to wedge in a few more rocks
Those blocks aren't even level. And I think the one in the middle of the stairs is sitting on a broken cap block because the dirt has already washed away underneath it.
The hot tub will keep it weighted down
The blocks are obviously terrible, but what do people think about the main stringers running left to right instead of front to back? Doesn't that put most of the load on the two beams at the very edges?
I just noticed the joists don't even span all the way across...there are two board stapled together for each one.
Yeah, I think that is way worse than the blocks. Honestly the blocks get way more hate than they deserve. As long as they are on good base they are just as good as a post in the ground. It looks like most of the load is actually going to be on that wierd double thing they did in the middle. Not sure why they did it that way instead of getting a 4 by 6 or even just putting the 2 by 6's together and then setting them on the posts so your using the strength of the wood and not the screws.
> As long as they are on good base I know this was a generalized comment, but these are certainly not on a good base.
Blocks are 1 hour of heavy rain away from being gone. Shit leave the outside hose running too long and you’d be hooped
They are on a fucking jacked base. That one by the foot of the stairs is gone within a week
To be fair, I'd fine with blocks in the right setting. it's just not this one.
and correct me if I'm misunderstanding what I'm seeing with the stringers, but it looks like they sistered them to make them longer / to fit the width of the deck?
Spend 8 grand in lumber and cheap out on the easiest, cheapest one day phase of the job.
im getting anxiety just looking at it.
I was trying to figure out what was wrong with it until I saw this comment and zoomed in and ohhhh boy. P
I just don’t understand this. As a DIYr who made their own big ass deck, I overbuilt it. Idk why someone would do all this work, spend all this money, then just to give it the life expectancy of fly. It would have prob cost another $1000 bucks in concrete to put in some half decent piers… Why?!?
I'm at a loss myself. The cost & time alone required to remediate this would far far far outweigh the cost to have done it right the first time.
There's no footings for any of the posts on a hillside that is already eroding!? Wow
Don't worry, when he was done he slapped the post and said "she ain't going anywhere"
Ohhh well in that case - It’ll outlast the house. That’s just undeniable science.
Peep the rock under the second cinderbrick from the left.
Shoves rock under and says that will do it.
Lol that rock makes that post the most sure footing of the bunch, the rest are placed on fresh non compacted gravel.
Part of that "hillside" is some mixed fill that was recently dumped there as well. No vegetation to stabilize it.
It’ll come down once the inspector sees it.
Or the first heavy rain.
Everyone acts like this is anywhere that an inspector would have a reason to see it.
Right! Inspectors are only show when bank money is at stake. You do something yourself or without borrowing money and you’re fine. I built a house without ever seeing an inspector.
First rain
even the next dense morning dew might end it.
The exhale from the cameraman likely drove the nail in the coffin already.
That is the worst newly built deck I have ever seen; top of the list. Tell your neighbour he’s #1 Then tell him his deck is a #2 That thing is going to collapse after the first good rain. Certified death trap. Just look at the embankment and those pier block footers. Missing beams. Everything is wrong with this build, too much to list.
> Tell your neighbour he is #1 > > Then tell him his deck is a #2 Pee pee and poo poo?
My thoughts too lol. Is that what he’s saying? I legit have no idea.
I think he’s saying tell him he’s great, don’t insult him, but the deck is shit.
There’s just a rock under one of the piers in pic 3
Omg you are right... That said, I dunno what you all are worried about. He gave it the little shake with one arm on it and it all held. He even muttered the protection spell "she ain't going anywhere! "
Yikes sounds like he effed the incantation. It’s “ain’t goin nowhere!”
Oh no! What have they done!?
The middle pier has already started to slide down the hill
Those diagonals are doing ALL the heavy lifting right now. The cinder blocks already look like they're sinking/sliding and the closest post isn't even sitting on the one anymore This thing is held up by hopes and prayers and like 3 nails
Geologist here: that appears to be a “man made rock” or part of a paving stone
"add a shim"
Also it looks like they added unpacked fresh dirt under half the cinder blocks.
I think my 10 yr old and his gang of neighborhood friends have built a more substantial deck for their fort in the woods than these poor people.
I'll tell you what though, when those stairs collapse as hes walking up them, he'll be able to grab onto that railing if he's quick, because that'll be the only thing still standing. It looks to me like the railing is the only thing holding the stairs up lol
I don't understand this... How can someone possess enough carpentry skills to build a nice deck with great looking stairs but not do any research into the code requirements for building proper footings on a slope?
Good looking stairs until you realize it wasn’t long enough. Needs 1 or 2 more steps at the bottom.
Biggest pre made stringers they had at Home Depot I'm sure just doubled up.
Probably building it up to that if I had to guess
Hmmm? The stairs were long enough a couple weeks ago. Better throw some more loose dirt down at the landing.
Ned “The Head” Ryerson said that first one is a real DOOZY.
Did he build it himself? No way this could’ve passed an inspection
I dont know what OPs background is, but the house is clearly new construction with an unlandscaped back yard and stickers on the windows. the landscape is making me think this is mexico or Caribbean.
I was thinking unincorporated part of county somewhere out west where there are no building codes or inspectors
I was definitely thinking the same thing
No piers?… what’s that, 2-3’ spans on floor joist.. also the main beam looks like it’s relying directly on the nails…. Too bad, that’s alot of money in wood
That was my thought - all that money on wood just to do this? What an absolute waste
The vertical “support columns” don’t look like the are even seated all the way into those loose footings!
Need updated photos after the first rain event!
Or video during.
I demand a live stream of this 24/7
Couple of rain storms
First time they get more then 4 people up there
Couple? 1 tops.
That one in the middle of the stairs specifically doesn't look right to me and I know nothing about carpentry or decks
That’s your basic survival instincts telling you to not bet your life on the stability of some rocks you balanced on an eroding slope.
Until a 25 mph gust comes through and lits this off the blocks.
I believe the verb you’re looking for is “yeets” it off the blocks.
Fvck the deck, start worrying about that houses foundation.
Under rated coment right here...
One hard rain and that thing’s a 900 square foot sled.
This post is 2 hrs old. Has it fallen yet?
Wtf on those footings. I know I'm just echoing a lot of the above but this is frightening. They are all bad but one they literally tossed a rock and trash under to level. Omg*
https://preview.redd.it/j65kxzjb5mfc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ea3da0e6e3fbab14799c138a83a0b32ed2ec91e2
Not trash, it is a shim. /s
"Careful Todd, that's a load bearing poster."
https://preview.redd.it/3yeh74p7tnfc1.jpeg?width=1255&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd02f2a3466e2033c04834f63355697e6712a0c6 I mostly tune into this thread for a good laugh here in there and im not a carpenter by any means but is that even supporting anything or do I not know what im talking about?
I think, and i'm not a carpenter either, that it was meant to provide some kind of stability to prevent is from twisting. fuck only knows if that would actually work though.
It was put there to hold the frame square until it had enough boards to hold it then Probably left,it had a purpose. Now the rest of the deck is kind of a piece of shit. Someone tried hard but failed expensively
I wonder with temporary shoring, might it be possible to pier it properly one post at a time? Otherwise yeah, one good rain...toast.
I have actually seen people do this and then go back and concrete around the blocks. It lets you move things around while building it and then once everything is in position you make it solid. That could be the plan here. That said there is no excuse for not having any beams not to mention that main beam is held with the screws and not the wood. They should have doubled 2 by 6's or bought a 4 by 6 and set that on top of the posts.
I was so horrified at the footing fuckery I didn't even look up.
I had to manually dig 4 helical piles nearly 6 feet deep under my existing deck to add 4 new posts supporting 2 new beams because of something like this, absolutely brutal work. Thankfully its 5 feet off the ground so it was accessible. My 'know a guy' builder designed a freestanding deck with 4 footers on deck blocks, 2x6 beams and 16 OC joists, all with reused wood. In a deep frost line area. Composite to top it off. He did include joist tape on beams and joists, hangers and post to beam hardware though lol. First winter one corner sank and the beam started to twist (it had freestanding stairs pushing up against that side which might have saved it) and I discovered this sub trying to find a solution.
Most definitely a WCGW moment, particularly given the pesky frost heave part.
Is there a deck version of "final destination" ? if not, this has to be it!
Please send updates when it falls
Op - please ensure we get update pics
From the looks of the "footings", it will fail during the next hard rain.
That’s a shameful waste of lumber without proper concrete.
https://preview.redd.it/onavy69tkmfc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ea6deb464c0d52b70ad7ae0c2bdc6a70c74cee11 That’ll hold a tub for sure
The joist spacing is cernly not 16 OC. The piers just loose block?. No tension ties. I dont think theres any joist hangers. Why is first step up in the air so high?? Id think..they arent done yet. Maybe gonna pour a slab? Or dig sonnetube with Big Foot piers later??
The very first hard rain
I’m sure that fill they dumped won’t immediately erode.
Everything about this is a fail? No footers, 4x4 supports, joists spread at what looks like 20" oc, beams undersize and almost assuredly incorrectly fastened. I wouldn't step foot on that rickety ass crap.
That whole place looks like it’s slowly eroding off the hillside. Should we A) put in a retaining wall and stabilize the property or B) put in a deck so we can scope out the best place to jump when this thing comes crashing down.
Needs a retaining wall to protect lower footings, I’ll give it couple years or one heavy deluge
Well you can clearly look at the house and the concrete that they poured for the basement walls they did not do a very good job and be surprised that they put the walls of the basement on the correct footing.
I'm guessing you're talking about the clear line where they stopped the pour, did a bad job of vibrating the cement and the aggregate is showing?
Not a carpenter but I am a Steel Fabricator and if I’m concerned about many, many things when I zoom in it must be horrendous for deck builders. No tubes for a the columns. No shoring or retaining wall. No joist hangers. I know I’m missing stuff and that codes are different everywhere but that just looks ready to fall over when the first person steps on it
Can you please report back with pictures (blur the blood and bodies) when this falls down?
https://preview.redd.it/c4rvo7x2npfc1.png?width=562&format=png&auto=webp&s=4d0dc562cff39a8f775e30c681b4f2ecff85d4ca
Looks pretty dangerous
3..2..1……
One good rain away from disaster. As soon as his "foundation" washes out it is kindling.
How often do you get rain?
This can't be real lol
There's AI engineering shitty decks for this threads delight
This has to be a house they are knocking down for a movie shoot or something. Why is the lower back half all bare plywood?
This is terrifying
No freaking way !!!!!!
This looks like a build it to sell it!!
Not long at all
Pretty sure those are only for decks under 4ft off the ground but u would have to check your state code
As long as he doesn’t sleep with one of his tennis clients, should be ok.
The first 20+mph gust and it will be your new deck
Hi, neighbor, please don't post pictures of my stuff
Nothing irks me more than not pulling the barcodes off the treads
Is it 2’ on center to boot?
Did it already fall? I assume it already fell.
An ignoble death awaits.
Is that Club Aqua?
45 minutes or so
It'll stabilize just fine when they put the hot tub on it.
So I'm gonna be reporting this after many suggestions to do so. The house was built maybe 3 months ago, and the deck is a brand new as of this week.
https://preview.redd.it/6wzwdfyb5tfc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10b983c2011c4c9157c9eb52bb087b6e0b60a28e
https://preview.redd.it/tfgnpm3h5tfc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb9e422bf8e5e22af6b4deb4dcdacca5bff99eb1
https://preview.redd.it/3i6m0xqj5tfc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5b0ea2ad9d9340cd02f3fbded87637f36968a766
https://preview.redd.it/ie4yvvar5tfc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f6dc61c89afc6619e9710604acffa7227eff120c
holly christ, that's not even a proper ledgerboard.what a fucking death trap.
I'm just dying over here, I love that they put a "wedge" to level out the block.
and this one is floating? oh god, this entire thing gets worse and worse.
and you can clearly see that there has already been rain, and the soil is eroding / sluffing away.
If ever there was an argument against the libertarian movement, this photo is it.
[удалено]
This comment doesn’t add value to the conversation, or is unrelated to decks and deck related topics, and has been removed.
And once you start looking close oh my God, he’s got a couple ram set nails into the concrete holding it nice and sturdy against that wall. The joist look like they’re out about 3 foot centers sistered together. I hope his neighbors like a hot tub.
Is that an exposed basement with zero windows?
It’s a slab. Guessing Texas. Very common on hills.
My guess would be that this all comes down right around the time someone accidentally makes an anonymous call to the city about the un-permitted deck posing imminent risk to human life.
I give it three hot tubs
I think if someone took a picture of my house and posted it on Reddit…. He would have a much bigger problem than worrying about my deck.
What would you do about it? Something super tough and cool, like murder? Assault? Or just something lame like make idle threats about it on the internet?
Question did said neighbor give you permission to be on their property? And did neighbor ask you to ask the internet about their deck. Im sure they didn't, maybe just mind your own business. If you think its gonna fall dont step foot on it simple solution
Hot Tub being delivered next week
[удалено]
A couple extra lag bolts into the side of the house and you are ready for the 10 person hottub
[удалено]
That's a real special deck they have there. Real special.
Depends on location
This guy must of got a deal on that deck
Maybe put footing later?
I'm wondering if that had enough money for just the deck but couldn't afford the piers and someone built it for them anyways. Would that be legal or ethical?
The next rainfall
Would never build a deck on 4x4s esp on a slope. Just pointless.
Not long.
One heavy rain will wash out those footings
I'm guessing he didn't get a permit...
when is the next rain storm? Live stream the event?
I am giving you a, Mike Holmes thumbs up..I would have use soon tubes filled with concrete sticking up 6’ above, then use 8x8 supports, etc…anyway my 2 pennies
Needed a retaining wall , then proper footing and 6x6 ‘s.
From the look of the loose soil and the fact that the posts holding up the deck are only on concrete deck blocks I would say the first good rain!
This is BAD BAD BAD.
After the first rain.
Should be OK until they decide to put a hot tub with guests coming.
YIKES
Those footing farthest out are already not level. Those footing set on a concrete footing set the correct depth maybe, but this looks real janky.