Deck Tension Ties and How To Install Them

Many towns require these on a new deck installation. And honestly they should be should used. So many decks fall off year after year. These help prevent the floor joist from coming loose.
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[@johnwilburn]

Thanks for posting. I needed to learn about these things.

[@devduguay2814]

This is a lifesaver, removing floors I found there was a bunch of metal strapping/ hole punched black material for some reason bolted from outside (on the deck), all the way through a few feet in the house , and I snapped one of the main ones attached to the deck.... this will be a great substitute, probably much better I assume.

[@ozzstars_cars]

I have never seen a rim joist pull away from a house unless the building was in a tornado. At that point it's a total loss. Good demo and explanation.

[@Askmediy]

I have for sure. Here are some pictures of a rotted rim joist. Wish I had these installed on this deck. www.askmediy.com/deck-tension-ties-for-your-deck/

[@RYU583]

My old deck has this problem. The joists and hangers are pulling off the ledger😮

[@ozzstars_cars]

@@RYU583 now ledger failure is a serious safety hazard. Better get that jawn repaired asap!

[@pauleohl]

@@Askmediy I had to install new sheathing. Rim joist was deteriorated wherever there was a penetration for lawn sprinkler pipes or for garden hose valve. I repaired the rim joists as required and drilled new holes through the foundation. Concrete does not rot.

[@Methodical2]

@@Askmediy Was there no flashing behind the ledger board that cost the wood rot? Because of ledger failures we are required to have a stand alone/free standing deck even when attached to the home. This has been a requirement at least since our deck was built back around 1999.

[@Youtuberdeportados]

I used it to hang a metal ceiling frame from the wooden joists and it did wonders.

[@johnwilburn]

Very useful video. Told me exactly what I needs to know. Thanks for making and posting.

[@Askmediy]

Glad I could help you out.

[@HAMRADIOJOE4178]

NICE APP DOM, JUST INSTALLED IT. THANKS....... MAKE MORE VIDEOS, WE LOVE YOU

[@ha3516]

This type of 750 lb tension tie is ONLY usable where the deck joists are PARALLEL to the joists inside the house. If your deck joists are PERPENDICULAR to the deck joists, you MUST install two 1,500 lb DIFFERENT tension ties that use 3 foot galvanized half-inch steel rods and 2 steel brackets with nuts and washers to connect the deck joist to the SECOND inside house joist, which requires additional blocking INSIDE the house.

[@wolfman231]

He's anchoring into the sill plate.

[@nyinfamous2k2]

code or not im going to add these to my deck. thanks for the post. I would think nails would be better then screws to attach the bracket to the joist because of the nails shear strength vs screws though, no?

[@Askmediy]

I'll say. I would still say screws are better.

[@spindctr1]

Check out the Project Farm channel. He just did a shear strength test video with nails and screws.

[@nyinfamous2k2]

@@spindctr1 lol yea I watched that this morning also.

[@callmeruiz1]

How do you identify the stud from out side the house?

[@Askmediy]

For these, you wouldn't screw into a stud. You would screw into the rim joist.

[@timaubuchon6859]

My deck will be lower than the rim joist. How would I attach these to a concrete wall? Wedge anchor? Simpson Strong-Tie Titen HD?

[@DominickAmorosso]

I’m pretty sure they make them for concrete.

[@Methodical2]

I am definitely installing these our deck and porch. This is very cheap insurance. Just not sure if I want to use the standard 3/8 lag screw or the kit bolts. I think the lag screws attached closer seems more secure. Can the ledgerlok screws be use with this?

[@DominickAmorosso]

You’ll want to use both

[@christroupe-pr9yt]

Im building my deck into a stucco house and ive been drilling throughout for the ledger and cant locate any wood what tentioners do i use

[@Askmediy]

How old of a house? Is it all block?

[@christroupe-pr9yt]

@Askmediy it's fairly new I guess it's just the particular location of the deck bc it's a multilevel. But I have a 14" bit that just keeps hitting concrete in between each joist. The inspector told me tentioners are necessary. Do I have to go inside?

[@shawnstone8924]

If you don't trust the band of the house to pull away, why should you trust the wall plates? Isn't the band stronger? Reason I ask is because my deck is pulling away from the ledger due to settling posts. Trying to close the 1/2-3/4" gap from joist to ledger. It's about 30 ft up so not trying to replace them lol

[@Askmediy]

Because these are code in many towns and more are coming. Just use long enough lags with washer to slowly and evenly pull it tight to the house.

[@fongcha4933]

Now, how do you find the location of the sill plate or top plate if the basement is completed.

[@Askmediy]

Well the sill plate is right on top of the foundation wall. The top plate is right on top of the sub-floor "plywood"

[@fongcha4933]

In my case, it'll be the top plate then. What steps would you take to ensure you are screwing dead center to that top plate? I think my ceiling drywall is 1/2" or so in the basement. I'm assuming the top plate is right above that. Thanks for your input.

[@Stephenwc]

@@Askmediy Typical nomenclature: sill plate/bottom plate is attache to foundation or slab - as you say . Top plate is its analog on top of the studs supported by the bottom plate, it's not what you say here.

[@WaveAction777]

Why would they not be installed snug up against the house instead of leaving a gap between the tie and the house?

[@Askmediy]

That's a really good question. Other than you could see the connection better I really don't know why. But as per manufacturer instructions, that's my I install that way.

[@timdouglass4934]

You want to determine if your wall is 2x6 or 2x4 ? After that is determined you calculate the placement of the tie according to the length of the screw. You want the point of the screw to end just short of the inside edge of the interior side of the plate. I would drill a pilot hole for the screw first.

[@pimc172]

More expensive fasteners, that's it

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

@@pimc172 any structural screw will work... they sell the bracket ($4) by itself too, you dont need to buy the entire kit with screws.

[@pauleohl]

By placing the bracket like we see in this video you minimize the risk of the fasteners splitting the joist when they are driven in and you can be sure that you are pulling the joist tight to the house.

[@jimd3532]

What if the floor joists have started to pull away from the ledger from the bottom? I know you said "Games Over" on the video but is there a solution to this problem? Could the tie pull the floor joist back towards the ledger as you screw it in tight? Or will only installing these just stop it from pulling away further?

[@Askmediy]

How high is the deck? Yes you have options depending on the layout and height of the deck. First support the deck. Place 2x against the deck, holding it back from pulling away more. Just send me a picture ok.

[@Askmediy]

I’ll even get on the phone with you if you like

[@jimd3532]

@@Askmediy Deck is 8ft high from bottom of ledger. Dimension of deck is 10x12. At worst the gaps between the bottom of the joists and the ledger is no more than 3/4 of an inch.

[@Askmediy]

Oh 3/4", that's not much at all. What you need to get are some lags. They are like big screws. Get something like 3/8"x5" Drill a hole in the ledger only for them and screw them in the rest of the way. You'll a socket and ratchet. Place them about 3' apart, alternate them from high to low in the ledger. This should suck the ledger right in.

[@jimd3532]

@@Askmediy thanks, I noticed the deck only has 4 lags in it across the entire length of the ledger with some nails.

[@diyenthu2844]

Where would I attach the tension tie for a 2nd story deck?

[@Askmediy]

Same place. The rim joist

[@Stephenwc]

There are only two rim joists per deck level : you'd attach on the home-attached rim joist

[@tomsmith3321]

Happy Father's day...

[@Askmediy]

You too buddy, thank you so much.

[@jaxjaxson]

Current code just requires a total of 4 of these. Size of deck doesn't matter. Installed Within 2ft of both ends, and then 2 spaced evenly in the middle. Each tie gives 750lbs.

[@Askmediy]

Good to know, but not in my town.

[@jaxjaxson]

@@Askmediy Even 4 are considered overkill on a brand new deck, but its IRC code. You should question your inspector if hes aware of the latest code requirement? Hate to see you do more work than is nec.

[@Askmediy]

Doesn’t matter , inspectors have the last say

[@jaxjaxson]

@@Askmediy They cant make up codes tho. It sounds to me he is not aware, and you would be teaching him something new. Tell him to show you the 2015 IRC code requirement for lateral load requirements. If you have access to an unfinished basement you can even use a Simpson DTT2z and only need 2!

[@Askmediy]

As written in any code, “up to inspectors discretion” always beware of that.

[@charlesfrey660]

I watched video 3 times, I dont see any structural benefit ? great vids, keep it up

[@Askmediy]

It's intended to help prevent the floor joist from pulling out of the ledger board and are now code in many towns.

[@charlesfrey660]

@@Askmediy thx man

[@charlesfrey660]

makes sense now, well done, will use it

[@Stephenwc]

It's unlikely to happen - hopefully *any* failure is thus - but if the far outside posts were to fail and try to collapse outwards the joist hangars are not going to save the day here. These tensioners will.

[@jimmyjoe1591]

@@Askmediyits for lateral movement of the deck, not the joist. Joist hangers do that.

[@strokerace4765]

In a retrofit situation, I’d rather install two new posts and a beam parallel to the ledger two feet away.

[@Askmediy]

That's not the answer. That won't do anything for code.

[@_Moto215]

@@Askmediy Maybe he's referring to a floating deck?

[@Askmediy]

@@_Moto215 Maybe Mathew

[@jesusvillasenor6902]

Saludos amigo

[@Askmediy]

Encantada de conocerte

[@danielwilliams6055]

Is this code in Ohio?

[@Askmediy]

I wouldn't know. Just ask your building inspector.

[@BRLCLLC]

How are you combating 1500lb lateral load on an existing home, say a bi level home with a raised deck, and say the home owner wants original deck torn down and extended creating new footers and change in structure, thus eliminating original structure. And the interior was just renovated lol.

[@Askmediy]

By using lags and tension ties

[@evertipsyrothler317]

mobster accent

[@FJBsaidcornpop]

Have you ever used Simpson BLVZ=kT4 on ledger?

[@Askmediy]

Yes, It attaches a wood ledger to the framing through the veneer. Make sure you are in that ledger