Avoiding the Collapse
So far the snow storm has dropped a foot of snow and counting on ITWOP Mansion. It's still coming down at about an inch an hour and isn't supposed to stop until after midnight. I can't really complain that much though, Brutus Buckeye and K have had it much worse down by the capital. And my snowblower makes clearing the snow relatively easy.
Unfortunately the snowblower doesn't make it's way to our deck, which needs to be cleared by shovel and elbow grease. It's a bit of a pain because each shovelful needs to be lifted over the three foot railing. But I've done it once already and will undoubtedly do it at least once more. I always make a point to clear the deck as quickly as possible. Why am I more concerned about clearing the deck than the sidewalk and driveway?
I'm afraid it will collapse.
I know, it's ridiculous. But let me explain why: ages ago, I remember hearing on the news about a deck collapsing at a party in San Francisco. Seems like nothing, right? I can't even tell you why it stuck with me. Then while reading what would become my favorite book of all time - A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
by Dave Eggers - he talks about his friend Shalini almost dying in a deck collapse. THE deck collapse that I remember from the news. That's not a coincidence, that's a sign!
Granted, that deck collapsed because of rotten wood and I try to maintain the deck pretty well. But a foot of snow means approximately 1750 pounds sitting on the deck. That's nearly a ton! That has to do damage to the structure, right?
So go ahead P/P - explain to me how the deck is built to hold way more than that. And you too FIL - I'm sure you'll equate this to Melissa's food paranoia somehow. But I don't care - I'm going to remain paranoid about my deck collapsing. And when you're enjoying a juicy hamburger and cool lemonade while basking in the mid-day sun on my deck, you'll be happy I do.
by Dave Eggers - he talks about his friend Shalini almost dying in a deck collapse. THE deck collapse that I remember from the news. That's not a coincidence, that's a sign!Granted, that deck collapsed because of rotten wood and I try to maintain the deck pretty well. But a foot of snow means approximately 1750 pounds sitting on the deck. That's nearly a ton! That has to do damage to the structure, right?
So go ahead P/P - explain to me how the deck is built to hold way more than that. And you too FIL - I'm sure you'll equate this to Melissa's food paranoia somehow. But I don't care - I'm going to remain paranoid about my deck collapsing. And when you're enjoying a juicy hamburger and cool lemonade while basking in the mid-day sun on my deck, you'll be happy I do.
5 comments:
Your deck supported Whitley, it can therefore support a ton of snow.
Joe:
You want an explaination? Here it is!
Your deck is approximately 24' x 14' which is 336 square feet. A deck is typically designed to hold 40 pounds per square foot, the same loading as your house floors. The loading is spread over the entire area by the floor joists and beams.
This means that your deck can hold approximately 13,440 pounds or 6 1/2 tons. I would not recommend putting that much weight on the deck.
Anything else?
P.S.
All that being said, clean the #!^@#*&*% snow off the deck. The water will rot the wood no matter what protection you have on it.
6 1/2 tons, huh? So P/P, what you're saying is that we got lucky the night T-Bone is talking about?
Who said I would complain? I've been clearing my deck for 25 years now. The weight concerns me over time but more importantly the water slowly melting into the wood over a week or more might damage the wood. Besides now that the treadmill seems to be behind you, you could use the exercise.
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