Also: no ledger board on the house side of that deck. Even with proper post support, it's still a widowmaker.
this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2026
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Just needs a couple of steel shelf brackets like this. That should do it. Steel is really strong, you might think you could bend these with your hands, but you couldn't.
This is NSFW!
NSFL*
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programmer decides to clean up tech debt *
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Deck fails completely *
The bend in those 2x2s is disturbing.
Its a feature, not a bug.
Probably just from natural warping, it doesn't look like those are actually bearing any weight. That porch seems to be properly cantilevered into the structure of the house and aren't just slapped on with some joist hangers.
I'm guessing the 2x4 are just there for shits and giggles.
Yeah, last I saw this, it was revealed that it was actually properly cantilevered and the homeowner thought it would be funny to shove some thin boards underneath as a joke.
The straightest Home Depot has to offer!
It's actually forming an arch with the house. This is peak civil engineering.
gives it a good pat
Yeah, that's not going anywhere.
If I understand wood and math correctly then 2 x 2 equals 4. So that is 4 inches of solid wood for support. You should be okay. /s
I like how they have a thicker piece of wood for holding up the roof than for holding up the deck + roof.
Its likely the bottom supports are cantilevered out of the side of the house this held up by the entire weight of the house. The bottom 2x4s, or any boards down there, would effectively do nothing.
If this one was built like the one I took down, some, maybe all, of those boards on the bottom run into the structure itself for support, and those are beefy boards, especially on their side like that. Mine was supported with those and diagonal supports just to prevent sag.
Id guess they are replacing ground-tied supports, and those are just to keep the small bit of pull from causing damage to the roof and stuff while they swap them. Just long enough for the photo.
That or its completely floating and the boards are just for a laugh.
Looks like it's properly cantilevered into the structure of the house. I don't see any joist hangers or any hardware that would indicate a need for additional ground support. It's possible it could be hidden under the siding, but if the deck was being supported at all by the 2x4s they are warped enough where you would be able to see some sag. Most likely theyre there just for laughs.
Though, that roof looks like an add on by the owner, and could be problematic if it snowed a lot.
The roof looks well engineered too. And it would also have a lighter snow load than the deck if the pitch is decent.
It is harder to shovel than the deck would have been.
The problem would be that it does not look to be cantilevered, so the deck is carrying its weight, the weight of the roof, and the possible weight of snow.
So it just kinda depends on how much weight the deck is rated for. Really most of the problem with these kinds of decks is usually moisture control.
good thing we won't have to deal with snow much longer, with the world being on fire an all 😭
Not how climate change works.
yes im aware of that, it was supposed to be dark humor
The word you're looking for is "cantilevered"
Were they actually looking for it?
Does that apply to the glass floor platform thing in the Sears Tower?
deck debt
*Deck tebt
Docking decks
No build new features like a whirlpool first, we havn't gotten the time or the manpower to deal with this concern of yours the client is only paying us to add the whirlpool.
If it doesn't fix, work it
”If it works don’t fix it.”
If it's stupid and it works, then it's an OSHA violation.
I suggest an empirical approach. Try having ten people jump up and down simultaneously on the balcony. That will quickly determine, if any action is required.
You should borrow galvanized square steel from your aunt