How do I stop my deck from pulling away from my house?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And another board diagonally against the deck that will hold it into position the reason I had you sit on that board was to shorten the distance between the deck and the stake.

How do I keep my deck from shifting?





All decks using horizontal decking should have a diagonal sway brace to prevent racking. You may install a metal “T” brace, which is a long metal strip diagonally across the top of the joists, or install a diagonal deck board across the bottom of the deck frame. Decks using diagonal decking do not require sway bracing.

Should decking be attached to the house?

A house with a brick veneer, which you cannot attach a ledger to. Or even a house with stucco, yes, you can bolt the ledger to the house, but the building envelope’s damage makes it better not to attach the deck to the house.



Building a Deck Beside the House but NOT Connected to the House.

Floating Deck Footing Frost Deck Footing
Cost $15 $60
Labour 30 Minutes 2 hours


Is it normal for a deck to shake?

If your deck gets a case of the shakes when you walk across it, there’s probably no reason for concern. Still, in some cases, the deck movement puts extra stress on the fasteners and connectors.

What does a deck tension tie do?





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Quote from Youtube video: All that stuff it's it keeps the deck from dropping vertically.

How do you install a masonry joist hanger?

Fit the end of the joist into the joist hanger, with one narrow edge down, so that the hanger fits up and around the two faces. Push the right tab of the hanger up against the face of the joist and mark the holes onto the brick.

How can I make my deck more stable?

To stiffen the deck, go underneath and install a row of 2×8 blocks down the center, perpendicular to the joists. Stagger them with enough room to nail or screw them in place through the end grain, then fasten the treated 2x4s to the underside of the joists so they run from corner to corner, forming an X.

What is deck blocking?

Blocking is short lengths of solid blocks cut from joist material and attached between joists. Not as quick or easy to install as strapping, they provide significantly more structural support. Often installed during construction in an alternating or straight line between joists they disappear under a single deck.

Does deck need cross bracing?



The reason cross bracing is generally only used on freestanding decks is because it provides one of the best forms of anti-sway lateral support, which a freestanding deck needs more than a secured one. For decks 6′ to 8′ or taller, installing a continuous footing and wall is generally the most structurally safe option.

Why is my deck bouncy?

A: A “bouncy” deck is usually caused by long joists between beams. Assuming you can access the support framing, you can strengthen the deck by installing rows of blocking cut to fit tightly between the joists, spaced every 3 to 4 feet along the span.

How do you fix a shaky deck?

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Quote from Youtube video: The reason we're getting a lot of this wobble is that the post weren't fastened tightly enough now I'm going to address why that is but first I want to point out from the beginning that this style of

How do I know if my deck joists are bad?



Look at the joists



If the wood is soft, or if you’re able to push a screwdriver into the wood, that’s an equally bad sign. Joists are hard to replace without tearing up a portion of your deck, so if they show damage, it’s probably time to replace and rebuild.

What is the average lifespan of a deck?

THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF A WOOD DECK: Typically 10 to 15 years. The actual lifespan of your wood deck will depend on the type of wood you’ve chosen and how well you keep up with wood’s rigorous maintenance schedule.

How often do decks need to be replaced?

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors estimates decks made from wood planks will last about 15 years, while structural wood will give you 10 to 30 years. Composite decking will last anywhere from eight to 25 years.

Can I just replace deck boards?

If your existing deck is old, shabby and a maintenance nightmare, you don’t have to tear it all down and start over. Chances are that the structural parts are still in good shape. If so, you can simply remodel it with new decking, rails and stairs, and save tons of money over the cost of a complete rebuild.

How much does it cost to replace a 12×12 deck?



Deck Removal Cost



An average 12×12 deck that consists of 144 square feet costs between $720 and $1,440 to remove.

Can you Redeck a deck?

Generally speaking, if the structure is sound and properly built, the deck can be resurfaced. I often find pressure treated framing in near lumber-yard condition when I inspect a deck. Framing doesn’t get beat up by the sun like deck boards do, so it’s usually in excellent shape.

Can I flip deck boards over?

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Quote from Youtube video: It over and I can show you that by flipping the deck board over I can get a much better look and a much better surface on the deck board without actually replacing.

Do decking boards need gaps?

Proper deck board spacing should have a 1/8-inch gap after the decking has dried out. If you install your decking using wet boards, pressure-treated decking that has not yet dried out, then you should install them with no gap as a gap will be created as they dry and shrink. Deck spacing isn’t anything to take lightly.

Can you flip deck wood?



Carefully Pry Up Deck Boards:



We were very careful not to break or crack the deck boards. The front of our deck was fairly simple because the boards were all the same length (no staggered boards) and did not require any cutting – – simply flipped them.