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Construction Industry/Weight, hot tub on second story deck.

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Expert: - 5/28/2009


Question
Hi,a customer has asked me to build them a deck off there second story bedroom.(24x18)And they would like there hot tub up there.right away i thought steel beams and such. The customer just wants to put i joists up.I told him i would have nothing to do with it if thats the case. There's a foundation along side the house, and there's 18" sonotubes 14' off the house.The weight of the hot tub with water and 6 people is around 5000 lb's . My question is, what am i looking at to support such a project??  Thanks in advance.     Andrew

Answer
Hi Andrew,

You were right!  A hot tub full of water and people suspended on a wood deck could be a recipe for potential disaster!  

Unless, of course, as you suggested, a structural system is designed. That would probably be a requirement of your Building Dept. - the drawings prepared by a Structural Engineer.

You may want to suggest to the owner that the Engineer would be at cost (no mark-up).  

The sonotubes may not have sufficient steel or foundation to be useful.

Again, I must defer to a structural engineer to make the design.

I hope this has been helpful.

Roger

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Roger Zona

Expertise

I am experienced in all types of construction: residential, industrial and commercial; single family, multi-family, mid-rise and high rise buildings (16 story office building) as well as remodeling, additions and tenant improvements. I can field most any question that relates to general construction. I have consulted with infrastructure (utility) contractors also and have a good general knowledge of underground utility construction for subdivisions and commercial projects.

Experience

After college, I began my career in the construction industry. I chose to become an apprentice Architect and 4 yrs later I opened my own architectural design firm. Six years later I moved to Florida to buy & develop land and build. I became a State of Florida Certified General Contractor and operated my business for 45 years. I built all types of residential and commercial buildings including warehouses, shopping centers, high rise apartments and office buildings and developed sites for other contractors. I retired and became a consultant to the construction industry. I maintain my license and continuing education requirements, operate a small construction company and write a weekly newspaper column for the Palm Beach Post (a Cox publication) with the byline "Ask The Contractor". I am the "technical editor" for a publisher of books that relate to home maintenance.

Organizations
Previously - NAHA Currently - FLCA (Florida Licensed Contractors Assoc.)

Publications
Palm Beach Post newspaper - weekly Q & A column Happy Herald monthly real estate publication - monthly column

Education/Credentials
Michigan State University University of Detroit BS in Engineering

Past/Present Clients
I built a home in Palm Beach for a member of the Pulitzer Family. I was responsible for the completion of a twin hi-rise condominium project for G.E. Credit. I was a partner in the successful development of a P.U.D. (Planned Urban Development) subdivision. I represented the largest home builder from France (Bati Service, S.A.) in the development of a subdivision and the design and construction of the homes.

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