Roof Nails On Deck Joists

This can cause the joist to rot from the inside out.

Roof nails on deck joists.

Some manufacturers sell special decking nails with a head size in between the two. For 5 4 decking use a 10d 3 inch nail. The long nails and screws that are driven into each joist provide dozens of entrance holes to that untreated core. But they usually hang from the ledger that is bolted to the house on the inside.

For double hangers use 8d or 10d nails. Spans sizes and spacings for deck joists and deck beams are discussed in detail. This part of your deck construction is labor intensive. True the joists sit on the beam on the outside on the deck.

The use of roofing nails as structural attachments for joist hangers is not uncommon however it should be avoided. For double shear single hangers photo 4 fasten the hanger to the joist s with longer 8d or 10d nails. Screwing deck boards also creates large holes for water to soak into and rot much faster. Position the reinforcing joist tightly against the damaged joist and attach it with 16d 3 5 galvanized nails driven every two feet or fasten it with 3 1 2 inch galvanized deck screws.

I believe simpson strong tie calls for 3 1 2 16d hot dipped galvanized nails to be double shear nailed through their joist hangers filling every hole. For thicker decking use a 16d 3 1 2 nail. Roofing nails are not made to withstand the structural forces that are required for joist hanger connectors. Treat all sides of the reinforcing joist with a clear sealer and let it dry.

Now you can slip the joist into the hanger and drive the nails that go into the joist. Roofing nails just can t handle the shear stress. Deck joist beam sizing tables a quick rule of thumb for sizing joists. Remove the guide and drive nails to attach the hanger.

Start driving a nail near the top end of the joist then bend it over. Joist hanger nails for nailing into the side of the joist photo 5. For standard joists you will use the 1 1 2 inch galvanized hanger nails to attach the joists using standard joist hangers. The 16d nails will fasten your hanger to the wall ledger while the 10d nails will be nailed through the side flange of the hanger into the joists.

It can even cause damaging expansion and contraction if water penetrates these holes and freezes. Indoors or out for standard type single joist hangers use only 1 1 2 in. What s more chances are high that the use of these nails would fail a building inspection.