How to fix gap between deck concrete stumps and bearers?

[AdvicePlease]

Hi Everyone,

A deck is being installed by a carpenter / builder and I'm just wondering if this is OK.....

There is space between the concrete stumps and bearers so they have used wood chocks to fill this gap. I've attached some photos.... 

Please advise and if this is not correct, please let me know how this can be corrected :  )

Thank you so much in advance.

GapChocked Gap

[JacobZ]

Hi @AdvicePlease,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

I can't say I've ever seen a deck footing done in this way. 

What do the other footings look like? Have they used a similar method elsewhere or are these footings the only place that look like this?

Fundamentally, the timber chocks are creating a stable base for the bearers to sit on, and they are transferring the load into the concrete stumps, but having timber sit directly on concrete is just asking for rot. If those timber chocks rot, which is fairly likely considering they are sitting directly on concrete, the bearer will not be supported.

It's not ideal, but replacing the timber chocks with plastic shims such as these Titan 10 x 72 x 100 mm Black Shim Packing, would be better, but still not ideal.

Cutting off the rod and installing bolt-down post anchors with shims, then running horizontal bolts through the bearer and post anchor would be even better.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet as the job is clearly not finished, but I would certainly be questioning your builder on what they intend to do moving forward as this is not adequate.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their thoughts.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good morning @AdvicePlease 

Now thats an interesting way to tie the bearers to the piers Tho as @JacobZ points out I am also not too keen on the timber blocks underneath.

I prefer an air gap with a steel support between the pier and beam but thats me. Myabe ask the installer why they are doing it? Always a learning moment especially if they have found a different way to do it. Other then that then maybe a right angled stirrup bolted down after the steel is chopped out is a solution?

Being a deck outside where there will be water on it and down it in the rain Id prefer to change those timber blocks out.

Dave

[AdvicePlease]

Thank you so much.... your comments / advise has really helped!

[AdvicePlease]

Thank you so much.... your comments / advise has really helped!  

[Noyade]

Morning @AdvicePlease 

Fascinating.

Until I saw the second photo I thought the builder was going to slide fabricated brackets down the rod.

Position the bearers.

Bolt the bracket.

Make sure the bearers are still correctly positioned - then weld top and bottom.

No wooden chocks required.

I'm assuming the concrete blocks are pre-made with the rod embedded and then 'plopped' into position on a layer of concrete in the hole?

I would love to see how you get on with the build and builder.  👍

[AdvicePlease]

Great solution.... Thanks for your thoughts!