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Squaring a deck

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22K views 206 replies 36 participants last post by  Tinstaafl  
L
#1 ·
This deck is whipping me when I check the diagonal it's showing 5/8 out
When I check length and width it's showing over three inches for the life of me I can't figure out what I'm missing
 
I
#5 ·
You maybe building against something that is not square. This can throw you off. Check all of your right angles with the 3-4-5 method or multiples there of 6-8-10, 12-16-20

If that won't work take your carpenters square pick a number on the body, then pick a number on the tongue measure diagonally between these two numbers....now substitute those inch numbers for feet when you measure the deck framing. This works whenever you can't use 3-4-5 multiples for what ever reason.

If your corners are all square then the structure you are attaching to is out which will make one side longer than the other throwing your "X" off

Make sense?
 
T
#14 ·
Sometimes if your base plate of your saw is not a true 90 in your cuts are angled then the boxyard building will want to pull out of square.

That's the easy to find out.

But the real problem is something different when the structure you are adding two is out of square.

Last month I built a portico over a front set of stairs. The existing foyer bumped out 7 ft then the stairs bumped out another 5 6 ft all built on a trapezoid. When I started squaring up my columns in my frame it kept pulling me out of square until I ultimately figured out what it was.
 
#15 ·
Sometimes you guys are a bit much to take.

O.K., so his question is hard to understand. We are not all William Shakespear, but I got enough from the OP to understand that he does know about checking the diagonal lengths both ways as he said that the deck is 5/8" out on the diagonal.
The part I am having a problem with is that he mentions the "length and width" is "showing over three inches". I simply don't know what that means. If he could explain further what he means we could then help.
After all, that is what this site is for, right? At least partially that is what it is for.

You guys really jumped in his *hit.

Andy.
 
#22 ·
When I square something up with our helper, I have to specify whether to read the top or bottom of the tape... Even a little mistake like that can throw a 25' long wall out of square.

Sent from my SM-G530W using Tapatalk
 
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I
#29 ·
Yes, there are a few adjustments you can make on a slightly out of square deck. Where out of square really sucks is a room with expensive tile, kitchen cabinets, and crown mold
 
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#41 ·
No helper for squaring walls, that takes one possible error out of the equation. I hook the tape on the far corner, tape hook centered on the corner. Then stretch her across. I’ve swung the tape back and forth and the measurement is the same on both sides of the tape. I have to walk back the length of the wall to hook it on the other corner but that’s probably still quicker than a helper moving the tape8’ or 9’ over and then asking me every time what edge to use. Uh, the middle, THE MIDDLE.
 
#39 ·
I think I get it.......But I'm guessing....

On one side the joists are butted up to the ledger. On the far side the joists are on the outside of the facia board. Thus the total is 10ft at the house side. And the rail side is 10'3" with would be the thickness of two sets of boards. Causing a trapizoid shape.

The 3inch part makes me think the boards are connected wrong. At one end of the frame. If it where an inch different or 2inch then ledger or facia got cut wrong length.
 
9
#46 ·
Nobody teaches our children anything to do with the trades anymore, its becoming a epidemic... The helpless generation!
Click to expand...
They are not helpless. Far from it. They are incredibly adept at technical things that are computer or digitally oriented.

Be grateful for that. The less adept they are in "old skool" stuff like running a tape, or hanging some boxes - the more dependent they are on contractors to provide those services.

Get the implication here?

Supply/demand, scarcity = premium = higher contractor prices?

I knew that you would.
 
M
#50 ·
That's true with the young kids and tech stuff... but were talking skilled trades over here and about using your hands and brains together. All the young kids I hire lately have no hands, and are awkward and clumsy. Must be me, maybe I'm just getting old and cranky...
 
#52 ·
I have two boys. One of them knows how to light and handle a fire only because I force-fed both of them that knowledge when they were 5-6 years old (rather teach them than have 'em burn a house down experimenting). That's about the only non-tech skill he has.

The other soaks up trade skills like a sponge, can't get enough. Owns several rental properties and does all of the reno/maintenance himself.

They're both in their twenties and doing well for that age. Different strokes. Shrug.
 
I
#57 ·
Think of the boys that grow up in a single parent household (read Mom) and what a disadvantage the poor bloke is at....he never learns any man skills and if his friends are in the same boat he's screwed. They actually have magazines that teach these young "metros" man skills and what is in a basic tool kit.

I had to take away a chain saw from my brother in law before he seriously hurt himself with it because no one ever tought him how to use one and like M-F mentioned he was "clumsy"
 
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