Patient: Aging backyard deck used daily by elderly homeowners
Referred by: Self-diagnosed issue with visible decay and temporary plywood patches

🤕 Symptoms:
-Deck boards were rotted with multiple soft spots and holes
-Unsafe temporary plywood patches over failing decking
-Original footings and framing were undersized and no longer up to current code
-Substructure concerns uncovered during surface-level "facelift" attempt

🩺 Diagnosis:
What appeared to be a surface-level cosmetic issue revealed deeper structural instability. The existing 8" concrete footings, 4x4 posts, and double 2x8 beam were insufficient for modern load requirements and long-term safety — particularly critical given the elderly clients’ daily use.

💉 Treatment Plan:🧰
-Built a temporary support wall to carry the deck load safely during reconstruction
-Removed all old decking boards and exposed structural elements
-Replaced undersized 8" footings with 12" concrete footings for improved load capacity
-Upgraded 4x4 posts to 6x6 pressure-treated posts for enhanced strength and durability
-Swapped out the original double 2x8 beam with a triple 2x8 engineered beam
-Installed Tico brackets, hurricane ties, and additional bracing for full code compliance
-Temporarily removed back railing for clear access during structural repairs
-Reinstalled new decking boards for a refreshed surface with solid integrity beneath

💡 Prognosis:
Deck is now structurally sound, code-compliant, and safe for regular use — ready to support many more peaceful summer afternoons.