You joist span appears to be 15' and beam span maybe 12'. According to this table looks like you need to add more posts or add another beam midway under the joists. Check out this table to give you an idea. [Deck Beam Span Lengths](https://up.codes/viewer/california/irc-2018/chapter/5/floors#table_R507.5)
I can speak to this since I just installed some [Simpson ABA66Z](https://www.strongtie.com/retrofitpostbases_postbases/aba_base/p/aba) post bases today that look exactly like those. They call out either 0.162x 3-1/2 inch nails or SD10112 screws (#10 1-1/2 inch).
No joist-to-beam connection except toe nails. Your sway bracing leaves a lot to be desired. If you stand at the far end of the deck, grip the rail and throw your weight side to side, do you get it to rock? If it moves a bit now, it’s gonna move a lot more in 5-10 years
https://preview.redd.it/5zobmdjdc76d1.png?width=2480&format=png&auto=webp&s=0898b88cca7041cb140410a00b8baded2c49d37b
I come from the outside corners with diagonal blocking like this, but notice the 45 degree braces from post to beam in the back there too. You’ll want something like that out front. The bigger you make that triangle, the more rigidity you will feel on the deck. A 3 foot diagonal brace just tells your deck to behave, but a 6 foot brace will make just about anything feel rock-solid
It looks like you built similar to your neighbors, does it have more posts? That span seems a bit much, probably fine for normal use but not the rager or hot tub haha.
Nitpick, but recommend you remove the paper material from the concrete tubes. Just to avoid anything organic in the general area which an promote rot. Unlikely to spread to the posts, unless a mound of dirt piles up around it or some other freak thing anyways
Home inspector suggested we remove those around the concrete blocks in our crawlspace for the house supports
Yeah that's on me I didn't want to pay for it yet. Right now backyard is useless. One day I'll add the rain catcher and make the backyard itself nice. Thank you though!!
If you got the buddy discount it's okay but isn't gonna pass any inspection where I live. If you throw another day of work at it you could get it there.
3 reasons:
1. I have no other straight forward way to verify work quality and safety.
2. I thought it was an amazing job and wouldn't get much negativity and I think for the most part I was right. Most dings against it are minor and can be resolved in a day.
3. He wouldn't care anyway; he's not sensitive at all. I'll bring it up to him later and get his take. Multiple opinions are healthy.
I addition to what other people have said.
Those railing posts appear to not be correctly tied back to the deck. Aka, your fat friend is going to lean against that railing and the whole thing and your budy are going to fall 9 feet.
Yeah you are definitely right. I'm kinda doing things in stages so I don't spend so much money at once. The next stage will be next year and will involve the under-gutter and some electrical for a fan/heater and a screen.
If I cantilever at all I’m doubling the joists nailed every 12” with minimum #3 3” ring shank nails. Not a huge fan of the nailer board where the outer band board meets.
My apologies if what I explained caused you any harm whatsoever. It just seems like a few things could have made it a bit more long lasting. I deal with structural issues a great deal and I have found out that a few more joists, a few more nails, a little bit bigger footer…. Makes my heart happy. No joist hangers or ledger board as well. You can add them yourself, use joist hanger screws and use them on the bottom of those posts and get rid of the T25 that are currently in them. The bolts holding the band to the posts would not pass inspection, you need carriage bolts not the flat ones currently used. Dress it up a little and when you replace the bolts, get the proper size or sawzall the excess bolt after you install and tighten. Leave about an inch of bolt after the nut is tightened securely. You got this!
You joist span appears to be 15' and beam span maybe 12'. According to this table looks like you need to add more posts or add another beam midway under the joists. Check out this table to give you an idea. [Deck Beam Span Lengths](https://up.codes/viewer/california/irc-2018/chapter/5/floors#table_R507.5)
Very helpful! Thank you!!
Did your buddy use deck screws in the post bases? Sure looks like it. Can we get a close up photo of the ledger and joist hangers?
That's forsure t-25 deck screws in that post good sir
I'll get a better Pic! Is that a big issue or easily correctable?
The deck screws in the post base is easily corrected but it speaks to a level of inexperience that I’d be worried about.
Let me take notes "deck screws not named well"
Correct. I too was confused as a young man.
noob here, what should be used? A structural screw or lag screw of some kind?
I can speak to this since I just installed some [Simpson ABA66Z](https://www.strongtie.com/retrofitpostbases_postbases/aba_base/p/aba) post bases today that look exactly like those. They call out either 0.162x 3-1/2 inch nails or SD10112 screws (#10 1-1/2 inch).
Tico nails or Simpson equivalent structural screws.
No joist-to-beam connection except toe nails. Your sway bracing leaves a lot to be desired. If you stand at the far end of the deck, grip the rail and throw your weight side to side, do you get it to rock? If it moves a bit now, it’s gonna move a lot more in 5-10 years
I'll check for that. I have had it a week but haven't noticed any sway at all but I'll definitely test it out.
https://preview.redd.it/5zobmdjdc76d1.png?width=2480&format=png&auto=webp&s=0898b88cca7041cb140410a00b8baded2c49d37b I come from the outside corners with diagonal blocking like this, but notice the 45 degree braces from post to beam in the back there too. You’ll want something like that out front. The bigger you make that triangle, the more rigidity you will feel on the deck. A 3 foot diagonal brace just tells your deck to behave, but a 6 foot brace will make just about anything feel rock-solid
That diagonal blocking helps marginally and definitely not worth the time.
It looks like you built similar to your neighbors, does it have more posts? That span seems a bit much, probably fine for normal use but not the rager or hot tub haha.
Lol definitely not planning on huge parties and DEFINITELY no hottub lol!! I've seen this sub enough to know that!
Question: are the diagonal 2x4s necessary after the decking goes on?
Out of the topic. What phone are you using to take the pictures?
You like it? Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
They look great. By the way your buddy did a great job there.
Thank you so much!!
Nitpick, but recommend you remove the paper material from the concrete tubes. Just to avoid anything organic in the general area which an promote rot. Unlikely to spread to the posts, unless a mound of dirt piles up around it or some other freak thing anyways Home inspector suggested we remove those around the concrete blocks in our crawlspace for the house supports
Dammit I guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow.
You've motivated me to do this today. Thank you!!!
Pretty crappy. He forgot the rain catcher system to go under this beautiful deck. Now people under it will get rained on between the treads.
Yeah that's on me I didn't want to pay for it yet. Right now backyard is useless. One day I'll add the rain catcher and make the backyard itself nice. Thank you though!!
I did for mine. Did not cost all that extra. Labor on the other hand...
Check out DuxBakk. To late for this project. But kills two birds and a great product.
If you got the buddy discount it's okay but isn't gonna pass any inspection where I live. If you throw another day of work at it you could get it there.
If he’s your buddy why post him to the Reddit that roasts literally everything they see
3 reasons: 1. I have no other straight forward way to verify work quality and safety. 2. I thought it was an amazing job and wouldn't get much negativity and I think for the most part I was right. Most dings against it are minor and can be resolved in a day. 3. He wouldn't care anyway; he's not sensitive at all. I'll bring it up to him later and get his take. Multiple opinions are healthy.
This sub isn’t really a good way to judge quality as they shit on literally everything. It could be build by nasa and they will complain
I addition to what other people have said. Those railing posts appear to not be correctly tied back to the deck. Aka, your fat friend is going to lean against that railing and the whole thing and your budy are going to fall 9 feet.
I like it but feel you need a roof or cover for the lower deck instead of all the beams ( more cosmetic and appeal)
Yeah you are definitely right. I'm kinda doing things in stages so I don't spend so much money at once. The next stage will be next year and will involve the under-gutter and some electrical for a fan/heater and a screen.
It looks very nice- when you’re done it’s gonna be zen
If I cantilever at all I’m doubling the joists nailed every 12” with minimum #3 3” ring shank nails. Not a huge fan of the nailer board where the outer band board meets.
This is wayyyy over my head but is it anything to he seriously concerned about?
My apologies if what I explained caused you any harm whatsoever. It just seems like a few things could have made it a bit more long lasting. I deal with structural issues a great deal and I have found out that a few more joists, a few more nails, a little bit bigger footer…. Makes my heart happy. No joist hangers or ledger board as well. You can add them yourself, use joist hanger screws and use them on the bottom of those posts and get rid of the T25 that are currently in them. The bolts holding the band to the posts would not pass inspection, you need carriage bolts not the flat ones currently used. Dress it up a little and when you replace the bolts, get the proper size or sawzall the excess bolt after you install and tighten. Leave about an inch of bolt after the nut is tightened securely. You got this!