Rotted Deck Posts Lead to Near Disaster

Earlier this summer, in a serene Bismarck backyard, a couple of homeowners encountered some unexpected and unwanted excitement. As their grandson swung gleefully on a hammock suspended between two deck support posts, one of the posts shifted and sank about 8” into the ground.

Originally anchored directly in the soil, the post had rotted and broken away from the bottom section. (Upon completion of the deck repair, it was evident that all three of the deck support posts had rotted through.) The damage was clear when viewing the deck from both the back and side. The fact that it’s a second-story deck, about 10 ft. off the ground, made the episode all the more concerning.

Rotted Support Posts

Original deck posts were set/ buried in the ground, causing them to rot over time.

The original deck construction placed the outside rim joist directly over the 4” x 4” support posts. In leveling and repairing the deck, I constructed a 2” x 10” two-ply beam for placement under the joists and directly over three new 4” x 4” posts anchored on 12” diameter concrete footings. I positioned the new support posts about 2 feet in from the old posts for a slight cantilever beyond the beam (or girder).

With the deck returned to level, and secured to post support brackets anchored in concrete footings, it will provide years of enjoyment — and even hammock swinging — for grandparents, grandkids, and the whole family.