Corroded Joist Hangers Replaced With Code-Approved Connectors and Structural Fasteners

Full-deck hanger upgrades. Typically 12 to 30 hangers on a residential deck. Interior floor hanger upgrades are usually a smaller subset addressed inside a larger framing repair. Customized Repair Estimate after on-site inspection reflects your scope.

The connectors themselves carry Simpson Strong-Tie's manufacturer warranty. Ask about the warranty that applies to the installation workmanship on your project; every Epp warranty is written into the proposal, and it assumes the deck is maintained. Flashing intact, ledger sealed, no standing water against the hangers.

Hanger corrosion is one of the highest-consequence framing failures because it concentrates load at a single connection point. A corroded hanger does not fail gradually. It holds, then under heavy load (snow, full deck party, hot tub) it lets go and the joist drops. Dave Epp has investigated multiple Nebraska and Iowa deck collapses traced to hangers that looked fine from above. Rust visible on a hanger from underneath means the connection needs to be replaced.

In 2003 the wood-preservative industry replaced CCA (chromated copper arsenate) pressure-treated lumber with ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) chemistry. ACQ contains significantly more copper, which accelerates galvanic corrosion of standard galvanized steel hangers in direct contact. Decks built between 1995 and roughly 2010 frequently combine older spec hangers with the newer high-copper lumber. A combination that fails 10 to 15 years sooner than either component alone. Epp assesses this combination at every deck inspection.

No. If the hanger metal is corroded, more fasteners do not restore its shear capacity. The bracket itself is the load path, not just the nails. Adding fasteners to a thinned hanger is a common mistake Epp sees on DIY deck repairs and a reason inspectors fail decks at home sale. The correct repair is hanger replacement with code-approved connectors and code-approved fasteners.

No. Epp is a structural contractor. We replace the failed hangers, install structural fasteners, and warranty the connection. We do not replace deck boards, re-flash the ledger to the house, restain the surface, or redesign the deck. Deck builders handle finish surface and design; flashing belongs to a siding or roofing contractor. Epp coordinates timing but does not perform finish scope.