Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 6/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

    I'm building a patio cover over my deck that will be 20x16.  I'm using 3 6x6 columns and attaching the opposite end to the roof of my house.  I was told by a friend of a friend who is now too busy to help me finish the job to make 2' deep 12' diameter pillars to set the columns on but I don't know what anchors to use.  I'm in WA so I want to use something that will be fairly strong for uplift also the columns will be attached to the framing of my deck as well.  I have allot more questions but I would like to get these columns in so I can finish laying my deck.  

Thanks in advance for the help I've found this site to but great!




ANSWER: Hi Billy, go to Simpsonanchors.com.  Simpson makes several kinds of post bases and post anchors.  Find the one that you prefer.  This is a great website for finding anchors and joist hangers etc.  You can download the whole catalog and keep it for further reference during your building projects. In your case a pb66 comes to mind. I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Bruce for the quick response!  Those were the anchors I was thinking and will work great.  I have another question,  When attaching the patio cover to my existing roof must it be installed directly where the wall comes up or may I go further up the roof?  The reason why I ask is that the deck the cover is going over is the same grade as the floor of my house so if the cover must be installed over the wall that doesn't give me allot of slope if I want any head room under the cover.  What's your opinion and please tell me if you need more information about the structure.  If it is a must to go directly above the wall is it possible to attach posts to the top of the wall and have them come through the roof to raise the patio cover?  Or should I just deal with the low sloping roof?  Thanks in advance for your assistance.

ANSWER: Hi again Billy, yes you can go up the existing roof.  Basically you take like a 2x10 and lay it flat across your house rafters and attach it securely with lag bolts, then attach your porch rafters to this "sleeper" with simpson clips.  To tie the roofs in you put a piece of metal flashing up under your shingles and over the top of the new roof and mastic it well.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Bruce is there a limit to how high I may go up the roof?  Also when you say "mastic" what does that mean?  the clips your refering to are those the kind that are a 90 degree angle or do they make one for this application?  I will check thier product guide later today.

Billy

Answer
Hi again Billy, how hig you go up on the existing roof shouldn't be an issue but I don't know how your existing roof is framed so I can't make a qualitative response in that regard.  Also, I'm not sure how you are going to frame the new roof, 2x8?  Mastic, in the context I use it in this answere, is a rubberized roofing cement with fibers in it.  It can be purchased in five gallon buckets and applied with a trowel to seal the flashing to the top of the new roofing and seal the old roofing to the top of the new flashing.  Yes Simpson makes all kinds of clips and hangers for your application, they make a skewed joist hanger that you can adjust to the angle you need.   I hope this information helps, feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com