Raising Cantilevered Overhang

[kfc510]

I guess at the end of the day: this thing has been sagging for a long time, house was built in the 60's.

I'm curious what you mean by "sagging".

Do you think that the cantilevered beams are deforming? Just changing shape? That seems unlikely to me.

Instead I suspect one of two issues:

Either:

a) the beams are deteriorating at the connection of the porch roof to the house, or

b) the section of the beam inside the house is no longer adequately attached to the house framing and the entire cantilever is failing.

kevin

[David S]

I'm curious what you mean by "sagging".

Do you think that the cantilevered beams are deforming? Just changing shape? That seems unlikely to me.

Instead I suspect one of two issues:

Either:

a) the beams are deteriorating at the connection of the porch roof to the house, or

b) the section of the beam inside the house is no longer adequately attached to the house framing and the entire cantilever is failing.

kevin

You make a good point. I was thinking about that earlier and was wondering if a 6 x 12 could sag that much without cracking. I will definitely check it out more before I proceed. The problem is I am limited to what is visible until I get the OK for a more invasive approach.

[kfc510]

Those are 6x12's?? Yikes. This is not some kind of Eichler-style house, is it?

k

[jimAKAblue]

If the "architect" suggested steel, I'd put steel in. Why fight that idea when you know it's as strong, or stronger than the wood ideas?

Then, if you have to put more posts and beams in, just keep adding them till the entire cantilever is supported.

It doesn't look all that challenging, but in the end, no matter how well you polish a turd, it's still a turd.

[David S]

Those are 6x12's?? Yikes. This is not some kind of Eichler-style house, is it?

k

Kind of. I'm not sure how exactly to classify it. It's a custom design/build from the 60's. I know this picture doesn't show much, but it's a really cool house.

[David S]

If the "architect" suggested steel, I'd put steel in. Why fight that idea when you know it's as strong, or stronger than the wood ideas?

Then, if you have to put more posts and beams in, just keep adding them till the entire cantilever is supported.

It doesn't look all that challenging, but in the end, no matter how well you polish a turd, it's still a turd.

I think he suggested steel because he is accustomed to the commercial environment.

[philthegreek]

I think he suggested steel because he is accustomed to the commercial environment.

Or he's been hangin' with Dick Seibert. LOL


Phil

[kfc510]

Kind of. I'm not sure how exactly to classify it. It's a custom design/build from the 60's. I know this picture doesn't show much, but it's a really cool house.

So are the "outriggers" actually the tails of interior beams, a la Eichler?

k

[David S]

So are the "outriggers" actually the tails of interior beams, a la Eichler?

k

This is what I need to check. I'd guess yes, as I believe this is the case in the rest of the house.

[kfc510]

Ah, ok. If that's the case then my "scenario b)" from post 16 wouldn't apply, obviously.

The other thing that has been bothering me is that the "outrigger" that has drooped emerges from the house right at the corner of the wall of the second-story to the right.

It seems like that intersection of roof and vertical wall/corner would be an obvious spot to look for water damage, poor flashing details, etc. I guess they'd have been covered by the recent re-roofing, but I wonder what's going on there.

kevin

[Top Notch]

How do you get a drawn up bandaide before seeing the inside or investigating the cause?
All things being simple then Kevins (b) is an easy fix.

I want to know if there is a point load from the gable roof sitting on that side, if there is a crack in the drywall or foundation. Is the footer be undermined from erosion of a downspout?

[David S]

I looked into this a bit further the other day. The last outrigger on the right is an outrigger. The other beams run back into the house (and are glulams as opposed to the solid 6x12 outrigger). The outrigger appears to run 5' back into the house (it is exposed on the top of a wall, and there is a seam at this point). I couldn't reach the beam over furniture, but it looks like solid wood, except for two small finish nails at the very end

On the exterior, the beam is dropped 2 1/2" or so at the end, but has remained straight as a string. There is no sign of any movement of the beam on the inside. So, it is either broken/deteriorated at the wall junction, or, it does not run as far back as it appears.

I am hesitant to try to jack up the outrigger as I'm afraid it may cause damage at the wall junction to both the roof and the t&g ceiling on the inside.

Any thoughts?

[David S]

How do you get a drawn up bandaide before seeing the inside or investigating the cause?
All things being simple then Kevins (b) is an easy fix.

I want to know if there is a point load from the gable roof sitting on that side, if there is a crack in the drywall or foundation. Is the footer be undermined from erosion of a downspout?

The "bandaid" was drawn up by the architect, I just rendered it in SU.

No crack in the drywall, none visible in the foundation. The problem appears to be entirely in the cantilever. It isn't a gable roof, just a higher flat roof section, and I don't think that is the cause (though I don't think I fully see how it is built, so I could be wrong)