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There's a lot of details missing from your post, but it's basically a requirement for many of the structural connections (joists/joists hangers) on a deck to be

There's a lot of details missing from your post, but it's basically a requirement for many of the structural connections (joists/joists hangers) on a deck to be done with nails. Screws are typically very brittle and will snap under high wind loads that decks experience, unless you buy special ($$$) screws. Nails are malleable and will allow more flexing and bending before failing. There are other structural connections though, and depending on how they are built nails can be perfectly acceptable, bolts may be the right choice, or screws may be. This depends on a lot of factors.

Forgeties79 4y ago
This was literally an array of far-too-small-nails that were driven straight into the siding (it ripped several boards out). It’s a miracle it stayed up as long as it did. The fact that it barely lasted three months should tell you how unsuitable the build was, frankly I don’t think you need more detail than that. Not sure why you’re skeptical of my story. The fact that it fell so fast means it was clearly not appropriately secured.
- quesera 4y ago
  Also FWIW, "joist hanger nails" are a special kind of nail that is much shorter than most people might expect. Joist hanger nails (lots of them, typically 10 required per 2x6 hanger) are the correct way to attach a porch to a house. There is usually a ledger board that is lag screwed or bolted to the house frame, and then joists (nailed in hangers) are extended out to a beam supported by posts. A collapsed porch is a big deal, clearly. I don't think there's any skepticism of your story, just the ordinary "OK, but" that we often do because it wasn't clear whether you had correctly identified the construction error that caused the failure. Not your job of course -- hopefully the contractor has remedied their bad work. Also glad everyone is OK!
  - Forgeties79 4y ago
    My apologies for being so defensive. It's becoming clear to me just how emotionally jarring this was. I didn't let him anywhere near my house agin. I hired a carpenter, an HVAC company, and an electrician, and sent him the bills. Basically played general contractor then had him write me a small check in case a unit fails (both are currently running. We'll see haha).
- reportingsjr 4y ago
  As Quesera mentioned, I wasn't trying to be skeptical about your deck falling down. Sounds like the deck portion was built decently, but there was no ledger board or similar included to tie the deck in to the house structure. Sorry to hear that happened, stuff like that is always a shock. The intent of my comment was to make sure people didn't come away from your comment thinking "nails = bad" and freak out about their own decks/structures. Hopefully you got your situation sorted out properly!!
  - Forgeties79 4y ago
    Like I said to them, I apologize for being so defensive. You’re absolutely right to point that out. Appreciate the well wishes!

Forgeties79 4y ago

This was literally an array of far-too-small-nails that were driven straight into the siding (it ripped several boards out). It’s a miracle it stayed up as long as it did. The fact that it barely lasted three months should tell you how unsuitable the build was, frankly I don’t think you need more detail than that. Not sure why you’re skeptical of my story. The fact that it fell so fast means it was clearly not appropriately secured.

quesera 4y ago
Also FWIW, "joist hanger nails" are a special kind of nail that is much shorter than most people might expect. Joist hanger nails (lots of them, typically 10 required per 2x6 hanger) are the correct way to attach a porch to a house. There is usually a ledger board that is lag screwed or bolted to the house frame, and then joists (nailed in hangers) are extended out to a beam supported by posts. A collapsed porch is a big deal, clearly. I don't think there's any skepticism of your story, just the ordinary "OK, but" that we often do because it wasn't clear whether you had correctly identified the construction error that caused the failure. Not your job of course -- hopefully the contractor has remedied their bad work. Also glad everyone is OK!
- Forgeties79 4y ago
  My apologies for being so defensive. It's becoming clear to me just how emotionally jarring this was. I didn't let him anywhere near my house agin. I hired a carpenter, an HVAC company, and an electrician, and sent him the bills. Basically played general contractor then had him write me a small check in case a unit fails (both are currently running. We'll see haha).
reportingsjr 4y ago
As Quesera mentioned, I wasn't trying to be skeptical about your deck falling down. Sounds like the deck portion was built decently, but there was no ledger board or similar included to tie the deck in to the house structure. Sorry to hear that happened, stuff like that is always a shock. The intent of my comment was to make sure people didn't come away from your comment thinking "nails = bad" and freak out about their own decks/structures. Hopefully you got your situation sorted out properly!!
- Forgeties79 4y ago
  Like I said to them, I apologize for being so defensive. You’re absolutely right to point that out. Appreciate the well wishes!