Last summer we put up this deck and I transplanted some more mature climbing hydrangea in front to cover the lattice.

I've noticed the carrier beam has rocked a tiny bit on the right side, the posts are still pretty plumb.

I don't think this has to do with the weight of the hydrangea, but was just some settling...

Regardless, should I add some reinforcement to ensure the beam can't move...just to be sure...or is the weight of the deck so much that it's really not going to make a difference anyway?

Thoughts???

thanks - spence

Is that a single carrying beam or dual?

My moms a landscaper, and she said its the structure, it shouldnt have anything to do with the weight of the hydrangea..

Is that a single carrying beam or dual?
It's 2 2x12's doubled up with a 1/2" spacer.

Doing it again I would have changed the design and notched out 6x6's for the posts...as is it makes a nice hinge.

I'm thinking perhaps the end post was just a little long and that caused the slight twist.

It's certainly solid, I'm just paranoid and want to fend off any issue before it's a real problem :uhoh:

-spence

The deck appears to be stable as noted by the equal distribution of weight thru the 8 contact points were the truses meet the deck. If the deck weights 1,000 pounds then that point of concern is holding up about 125 pounds. If the was taken out the nearest truss point will hold up the difference.

you could always ad an interior steel plate on the inside where it isnt seen just to keep it from walkin any further..& bolt it together there.

did you stagger the lag bolts where it's attached (via the plate) to the house....
or are they in a straight line all the way across.

best way is to sandwich the vertical post in between the beams Spence and use some 1/2" galvanized bolts through the whole thing. Will never twist like that and the supports can be done that way too with a bolt through the whole thing at the bottom. The way you have it you will always have problems-good that all the downward force is on top of the posts but bad because it can rock either way. The weak point in the whole deck is if that beam slips sideways like it's going right now. Did you ask the local building inspector what he thought?

Built it straight off of some plans...

Most of the beam is plum, it's just the one end which would lead me to believe the last post is a tad long.

I think I've seen some steel braces that would do the trick. I really don't think it's going anywhere as is, but like I said I can be extra paranoid about things...

-spence

OOOH,Mahogany.Use penofin to seal.

alot of times Pressure treated wood twists as it dries, They make all kinds of metal hangers and plates for that.

Yea, PT sucks...

The mahogany looks awsome but it's a bitch to maintain.

-spence

good job on that deck doing it yourself. Looks nice :kewl:

Nahh, I farmed out all the grunt work :hee:

Only thing I really did was the lattice. Soon the entire thing will be closed in...

-spence

looks awsome