Split wooden beam holding up decking, how to fix?

darrenheaphy

I have a long wooden decking surrounding my house, been there about 15 years and eventually needs a full repair/redoing (not figured that out yet). Meanwhile as you can see in the picture one of the beams holding up the floor has split and continues to widen. Any suggestions as how I would repair it? I'm not even sure is that a specialist job or something a carpenter would fix!

dathi

hire an acro prop and use it beside the column to jack up the split beam until the crack is closed it may be possible to then bolt a new piece of wood to the outside of the cracked joist

kadman

Temporary job is a number of acros propping up a temporary false beam all the way along under the existing split beam, will halt the issue and keep it safe. As you rightfully acknowledge the only solution is to remove the entire deck and replace.

charlesanto

I don't think it is structural, it's just a facing board !?

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121082831#Comment_121082831

I would tend to agree.

@darrenheaphy can you take a pic from under the deck looking towards the crack?

If you cant see daylight/the crack then its most likely just a facing board to cover where the joists are attached to the ridge/beam.

kadman

All the joists on the left are attached with joist hangers to a beam. Why would the joists facing the camera man, not be the same arrangement. And what is the facing board attached to that has caused the cracking, that looks like a structural defect. Couple with the decking appears to be dropping here.

My money is on a structural issue. Yep a pic from inside is worth a thousand words

darrenheaphy

Thanks for all the advice, it's really appreciated. I've attached the inside, you're right, it's load bearing insofar the floor is attached to the split beam via metal brackets. I wonder then if I need to replace the whole beam or just get two or three props from Screwfix or whatever until it can get round to be fixed?

In the longer term, like this year or next maybe, I likely need to replace the decking but no idea what sort of company I get to consult with on that. My guess is I would replace the vertical beams with metal poles and PCV flooring thereafter 🤷🏻

kadman

Thats definitely a structural collapse, not superficial facing board. First thing to do is to maintain support to all those beams by the installation of Acro props on good supporting ground timber pads, and a suitable full length beam material on top of the acro props as correctly hi lighted initially by Daithi.

Its a 2/3 man job to place the ground planks/ sleepers and then position an acro each end, and place suitable 6x2's on the flat on top of the acros. And secure each end in a stable manner. Then place intermediate acros as needed, probably every 3-4 feet.

You need to decide whether you are going to temporarily prop it, or prop it for insertion of new timber. As you dont want to place props near an area where it will be in the way.

Might be quicker to do the job correctly now, instead of putting it off.

Keep people off the decking in that area.

Ljmscooter

Sorry nothing to add but , lovely house and hello doggy !!

kadman

And get the dogs head out of the railings😁

darrenheaphy

Thanks again! I presume I search for a local carpenter to come fix it then? Doesn't sound like something I can do myself!

kadman

If construction is unfamiliar territory for you, then yes you need to get a professional builder, or carpenter. As they will have the knowledge and proper gear, and safety helmets ect to make things safe for you temporarily, which shouldn't take too long. You would be expecting to have it safely supported in a few hours as opposed to days.

Material is probably less than 1 dozen 6x2 4.8 metres, for the ground pad supports, and a similar amount on top of the acros to carry the floor joists. So it wont break the bank. But like i said get professionals with insurance, not lads down the pub with nothing. Shortcuts tend to end up expensive

GreeBo

Just in case the point got lost in all the other info, you 100% need to keep people off that deck. There is nothing holding up at least 6 or 7 of your joists.

darrenheaphy

Thanks all, appreciate the help and advice 👍

Calahonda52

Ao any updates, thinking about the dog😎

darrenheaphy

The dog keeps standing on the decking waiting for foxes, every night at dusk she waits for about 2 hours for him/her to appear. Waiting on someone to come 'round and fix it still 🤷🏻