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I have a pergola/patio cover that has a crossbeam/joist that are 2 2x6 matted together x 3 spanning across the width of the pergola. I noticed the end of one side of the 2x6s twisting a bit, I'm assuming due to the weight of the roof above.
When I had my home inspection done a couple years ago before I bought the house, the inspector mentioned that I should replace the 2 2x6's with a 4x6 beam. Does this sound right? Will it be stronger?
See attached pictures. I don't know what this cross beam is called, a joist?
How will that solve the twisting of the end on one side of the 2x6s?
It doesn't. But that's not the problem. PT is going to expand/contract and in some cases do a little twisting. From a structural standpoint a little twisting isn't going to compromise the structure.
But, the size of those beams and the span between posts is.
I think your inspector was right, but I guess the use of the 2x material - instead of 4x wood would make me question the entire structure - was this permitted work? When you're buying wood, two 2" boards really doesn't cost less than one 4" board, so I'm just wondering if this was really built by a pro. I have had to replace a 4" wide beam like that because of twisting (had nothing to do with load, just climate, wood twists when it dries out).
I'd be very wary about diy'ing this job without professional guidance- just eyeballing it from here, that's awful close to the property line & the structure seems like it's built to minimum code at best. If a previous owner just guesstimated the structure & did it without a permit, it may be unsafe & violating "setback" rules. The other side of the structure (where the roof meets the existing roof) makes me a little queasy too - do the roof joists get supported by the existing house wall, or are they just hanging by the rafter-tails?
Frankly I'd worry more about the side closest to the house...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zippyman
I think your inspector was right, but I guess the use of the 2x material - instead of 4x wood would make me question the entire structure - was this permitted work? When you're buying wood, two 2" boards really doesn't cost less than one 4" board, so I'm just wondering if this was really built by a pro. I have had to replace a 4" wide beam like that because of twisting (had nothing to do with load, just climate, wood twists when it dries out).
I'd be very wary about diy'ing this job without professional guidance- just eyeballing it from here, that's awful close to the property line & the structure seems like it's built to minimum code at best. If a previous owner just guesstimated the structure & did it without a permit, it may be unsafe & violating "setback" rules.
These are the kinds of "DIY patio covers" that always seem to fail when there is bad weather or earthquake. The point where they are attached to the home is prone to ROT and when that fails it can really damage the whole back wall of the home. If if gets "ripped down" during a catastrophic failure the costs to fix home can be very high and insurance adjusters are going to be very stingy with anything that was on the patio itself...
These are the kinds of "DIY patio covers" that always seem to fail when there is bad weather or earthquake. The point where they are attached to the home is prone to ROT and when that fails it can really damage the whole back wall of the home. If if gets "ripped down" during a catastrophic failure the costs to fix home can be very high and insurance adjusters are going to be very stingy with anything that was on the patio itself...
Yeah, the retaining wall makes me wonder - pics kinda make it look like the retaining wall is leaning & the stairway to the sloped portion of the yard doesn't appear to meet code.. kinda looks like someone with lots of great ideas & no permits went wild.
Yeah, the retaining wall makes me wonder - pics kinda make it look like the retaining wall is leaning & the stairway to the sloped portion of the yard doesn't appear to meet code.. kinda looks like someone with lots of great ideas & no permits went wild.
dumping all of the roof water into one spot behind the wall seems a bit ill-conceived
I think your inspector was right, but I guess the use of the 2x material - instead of 4x wood would make me question the entire structure - was this permitted work? When you're buying wood, two 2" boards really doesn't cost less than one 4" board, so I'm just wondering if this was really built by a pro. I have had to replace a 4" wide beam like that because of twisting (had nothing to do with load, just climate, wood twists when it dries out).
I'd be very wary about diy'ing this job without professional guidance- just eyeballing it from here, that's awful close to the property line & the structure seems like it's built to minimum code at best. If a previous owner just guesstimated the structure & did it without a permit, it may be unsafe & violating "setback" rules. The other side of the structure (where the roof meets the existing roof) makes me a little queasy too - do the roof joists get supported by the existing house wall, or are they just hanging by the rafter-tails?
hanging by rafter tails, lag bolted to them
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Frankly I'd worry more about the side closest to the house...
