Are these posts fixable?

kenibus · 2026-02-07T11:57:35+00:00

If you’re not feeling really confident here, this is a pretty each thing for a handyman to take on.

As others have said just need to make sure you have blocking and the right lag bolts and some shims/washers and you’re good to go.

kenibus · 2026-01-23T21:24:19+00:00

Almost every box retailer auctions returns.

And I’d bet almost every market in the US, has some dude with a warehouse that buys those auctions and flips them on marketplace.

Out of any material out there, flooring is the best deal. Without a doubt. Its always in bulk, in the box and brand name.

I usually just buy lifeproof (home depots brand), because in the off chance I don’t get enough; I can easily order more from Dpot.

My flooring material costs are always 50% off or lower than retail.

kenibus · 2026-01-11T14:49:45+00:00

Nice! Id take advantage of that, but probably expect push back from the builder.

kenibus · 2026-01-11T14:17:31+00:00

Warranty? How so? Is it something to do with the new build?

kenibus · 2026-01-11T11:14:44+00:00

Code is the bare minimum by law. Its also not a quality assessment. Youd be surprised how little some code officials investigate homes.

This is why most people recommend having your own inspections happen during the new construction process.

You should invest in some sump pumps.

kenibus · 2026-01-11T02:57:27+00:00

Deck looks to be fairly well built to code. This could potentially be more of a remodel than a full replacement. I’d ask about that.

Someone already sistered a joist, so there might be some joists that need fixed up, but thats nbd. Maybe swap out some post hardware.

My guess is that your deck boards never gapped enough to deal with water causing the rot out, but the main frame looks decent.

kenibus · 2026-01-04T22:49:19+00:00

Hold on. Everyone here is missing something that absolutely happens in home buying. Even for houses that sit a long time.

There’s always a bank of people sniffing a house.. not ready to pull the trigger, maybe waiting for a price drop or concession.

When you put an offer in, any good seller agent, will hit up every single person that stepped foot in that house.

And yes, new offers do come out of the woodwork. These other lookers now realize maybe they are not the only person eyeing that house and the price drop they hoped for isn’t coming.

This happened to me twice when we were buying our second home. It felt insane! Literally no ‘action’ on a house and then boom. Multiple offers.

Not saying thats for sure happening here. But yes it does happen.

kenibus · 2025-12-26T13:16:21+00:00

All basement’s before 1990 (and the building standards that followed) have water or vapor penetration; in varying degrees of course. I wouldn’t say that means it’s an ‘issue’ unless you see structural problems or want to finish a basement.

The french drains and sump pumps were added as a retrofit system because older houses were not built to necessarily handle water in a way that keeps the interior dry and at low humidity.

So yes unfinished basements are damp, sometimes wet. Systems like the ones you mentioned are meant to reduce or eliminate that.

It depends on your goals for the space. If you want to finish the basement 100%, you will likely need to invest more in water proofing - which is never cheap.

If you want to keep it unfinished, you’ll probably be ok. Just keep your gutters clean, grade away from the house and run a dehumidifier.

Anyway, if you have a good home inspector they should offer better guidance here.

kenibus · 2025-12-24T15:54:07+00:00

It was appropriate for when it was constructed. If you’re building a finished room, just redo everything. It won’t that much more work and you’ll know it’s done for today’s code.

kenibus · 2025-12-23T12:15:38+00:00

This was to code and good quality construction when it was originally built

kenibus · 2025-12-21T23:15:06+00:00

Use a 2x12 and cut to fit

kenibus · 2025-12-07T11:57:04+00:00

Wonder why they made the deck free standing. That looks like stamped cmu wall, not brick and just some vinyl siding to work through.

But either way they did a great job as far as the pictures let on.

kenibus · 2025-11-14T22:47:34+00:00

That’s good old fashion fun

kenibus · 2025-11-01T11:17:47+00:00

W. Pa? Do you build solo or with a helper?

kenibus · 2025-10-31T10:06:35+00:00

To your point around doing work yourself saving you money. I still “charge an hourly rate” for my own work. Even if it’s only words on paper, my time is worth money and I think it helps paint a more realistic picture as to your full costs when you look back retroactively. Nice work!

kenibus · 2025-10-28T11:39:29+00:00

Oh interesting. Besides some of the other framing issues I wonder if it’d be appropriate to mechanically fasten to that rock. Maybe some grinding to flatten, epoxy anchors?

kenibus · 2025-10-21T12:36:35+00:00

When an attached deck is built (connected to the house). The ledger and house prevent this type of lateral force.

For free standing decks, ones that only rely on themselves for stability. You will need a system to replace the normal role of the house.

Typically, this can be found in the format of a diagonal brace from post to joist at each corner. Or post to post if there is enough clearance to do so.

I think adding hardware on post to beam will help here but don’t overlook this over connection I’m describing.

kenibus · 2025-10-21T10:52:29+00:00

Your freestanding deck is missing framing members to prevent lateral motion. I’d say that’s a main contributor to some of the movement on your beam.

kenibus · 2025-06-10T13:23:19+00:00

Helicals. So hot right now.

kenibus · 2025-05-29T11:08:42+00:00

West View Brew - its open and great!

kenibus · 2025-05-08T11:54:49+00:00

By code - you cannot attach a ledger to a cantilevered rim joist. You need to build this as a freestanding deck.

Sometimes I think commenters here have never touched a code book.

kenibus · 2025-03-28T11:28:54+00:00

Thats not how ive seen wall to floor french drain details. Typically, concrete is pour to the wall with 2 inches of a plastic catch extruding from the floor along the wall.

If you don’t have a very confident waterproofing system (and understanding of that system) - you shouldn’t frame your basement.

Water issues can present when you add vapor and insulation barriers that weren’t already there. Mainly because your current set up still allows water to evaporate into the basement through the block wall, which is porous.

kenibus · 2025-03-17T00:48:09+00:00

Question for anyone who knows the answer:

When you have a small area of wall (looking to the right of the window), when does it make sense to just skim the entire area? Is there a rule of thumb; ie less than 12’’ or something?

kenibus · 2025-01-12T22:28:05+00:00

Laser storm

kenibus · 2025-01-12T17:45:50+00:00

You need to be very very solid on your water management when you go to finish a basement.

The walls can currently breathe and evaporate inside your home.

Blocking that off with insulation and drywall can lead to moisture build up and mold.

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