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Updated about 1 year ago,

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5,979
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Dan H.
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Poway, CA
6,903
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5,979
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Crazy small support posts original to house from mid 1970s

Dan H.
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Poway, CA
Posted

The main beam on the patio structure was compromised.  It was 4”x14’x23’ supporting nine 4”x6”x20’ cross beams attached to a ledger board on the other side.  The main beam was only supported at its end with posts that were in the wall (enclosed on exterior by stucco and on interior by drywall).   The beam hung down lower than current code so the 4”x14”x23’ main beam is being replaced by a 10”x10” main beam (gaining 4” of height).  We are going to use 4”x10” new posts enclosed in the wall.  We were expecting to find 4”x4” posts in the wall or two 2x4 joined posts (for a true size of 1.5”x3”) worse case   

When they demoed to put in the new posts, that huge beam (not sure what it weighed but new beam is 900 lbs) was on 2”x2” posts.  I know this could not have been code even in the mid 1970s.  It is also crazy because my boy and his friends are a little extreme ( wonder where they got it from?  - alright maybe crazy extreme as I am on my 3rd diving board because they break them).  For example there used to be a swing attached that the boys would swing and jump from the swing into the pool.  When they got older they would run off the patio roof and dive the 12’ to the pool. Granted the patio was not intended to be a dive platform but to have such a beam on two 2x2 end posts is crazy.

Here is a picture of the 2”x2” post (same size post on the other side) with my finger as size reference and the 4”x14”x23’ beam (to be replaced by 10”x10” 900 lb beam) that was using it.

I am glad this repair was needed as those posts are dangerous.   Sitting on 4x10 end posts I suspect is likely at least 50 times stronger than sitting 2x2 posts.  This patio will outlast me regardless of what crazy youth do off of it.  

  • Dan H.