I've built a 12 by 8 platform that's 8 feet up in the air, and there's no way to get behind the outer beam now without complete disassembly (custom cut around a chimney). I should have followed my intuition and used 3 inch lag screws to join the cross beams, but I followed a contractor's advice and used nails. Now that the joints are pulling apart, I need to add screws from the inside, down the length of the Cross Beam, into the outer beam. What kind of screw and length would be best that will grip the outer beam and close the gap? I tried to add a picture, but site won't cooperate.
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Best Answer
Where the gap is forming you may be able to you put a couple 90° angle brackets on the inside and then use lag screws or construction screws to hold it together. First screw should go on the side and then the 2nd to the back. I would first try to pull the wood back together if you can. The lag/construction screws may pull it together but I wouldn't expect it to given the size of the deck. I'd then go along and do this on a few other joists to ensure they won't pull out.