🤕 Symptoms:

-Two large 25+ year-old sliding glass doors nearly inoperable
-Rear deck dangerously loose and visibly uneven
-No footings supporting a key section of deck — nailed directly to the house and other deck frame
-Visible foundation cracking at the front and rear of the garage
-Ongoing moisture intrusion in the garage space
-Structural fatigue from years of deferred maintenance

🩺 Diagnosis:

The project started with one problem (the doors), but revealed a series of structural oversights and failures. The garage’s foundation had cracked in multiple spots, allowing water intrusion and compromising stability. The deck was not just tired — it was floating with no footings, hanging off the house in a way that posed serious risk. This wasn’t a job for patchwork. It needed real footing — literally and figuratively.

🛠️ Treatment Plan:

-Excavated by hand to expose and repair cracked garage foundation walls, front and rear
-Removed and rebuilt the compromised deck section from the ground up
-Installed five 12" and three 16" deep footings with 6x6 support posts
-Connected support beams with 2x8 pressure-treated framing for overkill durability
-Personally selected 2x6 pressure-treated decking, installed tight and clean
-Brought in long-term reliability and a finished surface worthy of outdoor use
-Returned to the sliding glass doors — carefully restored track systems and got both doors fully operational, shocking the homeowner who thought replacement was the only option

💡 Prognosis:

This job cleared a lot of weight — structurally and energetically. Leaning decks and rotting steps make your body move differently — you hesitate, you compensate. And let’s be honest, doors that don’t open block more than just entry. Now everything works smoothly, feels strong, and welcomes movement instead of resisting it.