Deck Help

[MisterJoji]

I'm building a 18x10 deck (3 feet above grade at its highest point) and it just occurred to me about getting a permit. I've already got all my joists nailed in, so taking it apart at this point would be a major hassle. My problem is I spliced my 2 2x8 beams not directly over the posts (I knew I should and I just totally brainfarted at the time like a moron). The beams are glued, nailed every 13", and has 2 carriage bolts at each beam splice. I'm worried that if I got an inspection now it would fail due to this, but I really really do not want to take this thing apart. The beam seems very very stable and secure, but I'm wondering the ramifications are if I don't get a permit. I've heard someone mention a $25,000 fine, and other stories that if my house burned down or my roof caved in, etc. that the insurance company could deny a claim due to an "unpermitted" deck. Is this at all accurate? Before the house we are currently living in (which will in all likelihood be our forever home) we looked at a house with an unpermitted covered deck/sunroom and the sellers were offering title insurance in lieu of an inspection/permit, so it seems like the city didn't care about that guys deck. Any input or advice anyone an provide would be greatly appreciated.

[MRCboicgy]

Man, I misread that thread title...

[SportsJunky]

Is 3 ft. low enough that you don't need a permit? Might be 2 ft.

Regardless, I wouldn't sweat the permit thing. I've built my last two decks without permits.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Is 3 ft. low enough that you don't need a permit? Might be 2 ft.

Regardless, I wouldn't sweat the permit thing. I've built my last two decks without permits.

Yeah it's two feet. So no one from the city ever came as a "random" inspection? I'm worried that once I'm done, someone from the city will come and tell me to tear it all down.

[Ducay]

Nope. They don't do that. Only time it could be an issue is at sale if it has issues with the real property report. (ie crosses a Right of way, etc). If it doesn't I'd wager never becomes an issue.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Nope. They don't do that. Only time it could be an issue is at sale if it has issues with the real property report. (ie crosses a Right of way, etc). If it doesn't I'd wager never becomes an issue.

Awesome. Thanks a lot!!

[Northendzone]

It is not always about the size of your deck.......

[oilyfan]

http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/DBA/Docume...tial-decks.pdf

Not sure there is a requirement to have the splice on top of the posts

[ken0042]

When I built my deck I submitted my plans, and the only time the inspector came out was after I was done. So even if you are part way done you could still apply for a permit.

How "not directly over the posts" are your beams? I assume the beams are sistered- is it a case where part of one beam hangs over, or is it barely hanging on?

[cral12]

Another deck question..

Cedar deck: should it be stained or water proofed? I'm thinking no, but value opinions.

[surferguy]

cedar requires a UV protector to not turn grey. If you use thompsons water seal it will still grey off. You need to use a product called Penofin (Available at Timbertown - talk to Bigtime) or Skikkens (available at Cedar Shop talk to Cedar Meter).

It is best to oil (finish) all sides so that greying cannot come from the back out. Bigtime and Cedar Meter will have more info.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by ken0042

When I built my deck I submitted my plans, and the only time the inspector came out was after I was done. So even if you are part way done you could still apply for a permit.

How "not directly over the posts" are your beams? I assume the beams are sistered- is it a case where part of one beam hangs over, or is it barely hanging on?

I have two 2x8's nailed and glued as my beam. The beam span is 18 feet, but my 2x8's were only 16 feet long. So I sandwiched the two 16 footers together and added an extra 2 feet on each end. The 2 foot pieces are glued, nailed, carriage bolted, and have a mesh plate. It feels extremely secure, I just don't know if permit-wise this is acceptable. Did my explanation make sense?

[oilyfan]

The Edmonton deck permit application gives some good guidelines. http://www.edmonton.ca/bylaws_licenc...on_handout.pdf

How many posts do you have in that 18 foot span?

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

I have two 2x8's nailed and glued as my beam. The beam span is 18 feet, but my 2x8's were only 16 feet long. So I sandwiched the two 16 footers together and added an extra 2 feet on each end. The 2 foot pieces are glued, nailed, carriage bolted, and have a mesh plate. It feels extremely secure, I just don't know if permit-wise this is acceptable. Did my explanation make sense?

So you just added a 2' doubled up 2x8 section on either end of your beam?
You probably should have staggered the two 16' 2x8's so they had a 2' run of single ply 2x8 on either end, then glued + screwed the 2' blocking in the 2' single ply sections on either end.
If that makes any sense.
You'll probably be okay though. Like everyone else said, I don't believe they send people out to inspect decks very often.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

So you just added a 2' doubled up 2x8 section on either end of your beam?
You probably should have staggered the two 16' 2x8's so they had a 2' run of single ply 2x8 on either end, then glued + screwed the 2' blocking in the 2' single ply sections on either end.
If that makes any sense.
You'll probably be okay though. Like everyone else said, I don't believe they send people out to inspect decks very often.

I actually staggered each extra piece because it seems more secure that way. I'm doing a #### job explaining it. I'll try to get a pic of it today.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

The Edmonton deck permit application gives some good guidelines. http://www.edmonton.ca/bylaws_licenc...on_handout.pdf

How many posts do you have in that 18 foot span?

4 helical screw piles.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

4 helical screw piles.

I guess I over engineered my deck then.

6 8" concrete piles for the 11' x 20' section of the deck and 6 for the 9' x 16' section.

[squiggs96]

If you want to make your deck look bigger, trim the shrubs and bushes around the edges. Trust me, ladies like the look of a nice, clean, big deck. They just can't wait to get on it and have a good time. If it's really nice, they might even bring a friend to sit on your deck with her.

[MisterJoji]

Okay, tell me if this makes more sense.

Picture 1


Right side, back of beam. There is a continuous 2x8 on the front side that spans 3 posts. The attached piece, spans from it's connection to one post. As you can see it is glued, nailed, mesh plated, and carriage bolted.

Picture 2


Front side of same end, you can see where it's carriage bolted to the back.

Picture 3


Other end of the beam, just a mirror image of the other side.

Is this acceptable?

EDIT: Sorry about the size.

[Vulcan]

You could try something like this. Should be able to find it locally.



http://www.bisonbuilt.com/beam_wrap_..._vhv20ytw.aspx