Deck Support

[Spiderman]

I'm sure I'll be Ok with my deck and the hot tub and all, but.......I figured I'd ask anyways.   The Jetsetter is coming on Friday 07-14-06 and it's going on the deck.  When I built my deck, I knew I would one day get a hot tub so I beefed it up.  I've got doubled 2X8's X 14, 16" O.C. with joist hangers.  Underneath the 2x8's I have two 2X10's attached to 4X4 posts with 2 carraige bolts holding the 2X10's to the 4X4's.  This is a floating deck and it sits on some concrete pads which I think are 8X12X4.  On the the side that the tub will sit on, I ran a 2X8 at the end underneath the doubled 2X8's that connect to the rim/end joist, if that makes sense.   So, if you've followed me this far, you should be able to agree that I'm good to go.    I'm just wondering if 2 carriage bolts are enough at each 4X4?  

I think the jetsetter weighs around 2800 lbs filled and occupied.

[PotomacG]

Spiderman....are you the friendly neighborhood variety  

Your carriage bolts are not holding the weight of the tub.  They are only keeping your headers attached to your posts.  Important job, yes, but if you have 2 bolts per post, it sounds like you have that covered.  

What you didn't mention is, how many 4x4 posts, how far apart and for how much decking?

I would also be concerned with the concrete pads your posts are sitting on.  Where I live, in the mid-atlantic, you would have to dig and pour concrete footers.  I believe the holes for my footers are at least 4 feet deep.  

Do you live in a place where digging and pouring concrete is not possible?

[Spiderman]

I can dig and pour, but both of my decks are "floating" decks.  My dad built his in 1990, also a floating deck and it hasn't moved in 16 years (at least that we can tell), so I built mine the same.  My first deck is 4 years old and the one that the tub is going on is 3 years old and both haven't moved that I can tell.

I also spoke with the building inspector and he didn't express any concerns about the concrete pads.  I'll have to check with Menards and see if they can give me a rating for the pads.  Since there are 4 pads, each one will have to account for 700 lbs, which doesn't seem like a lot to me.

BTW, yes I AM the friendly neighborhood type!!  

[PotomacG]

Sounds to me like you're good-to-go.   If you have any lingering doubts, you could always consult a structural engineer.

By the way, my hot tub is on my 2nd-story deck and I love the convenience.

Enjoy your new spa.