Danger of pergola collapsing, in Middle Park, a Western suburb of Brisbane
Pergola in danger of collapsing, identified by Peter Weddell, owner/operator of Qld Home Buyers Inspection Service and Queensland Building Inspection Service, QBIS.
This rotting pergola was located directly above a children’s play area and could collapse at any time!
If it collapses it could potentially cause serious injury or worse to anyone below.
Rotting joints to main supports of the pergola:
- Although the rotting timber to this junction of the main supporting beams had been reinforced, it has not been constructed correctly.
- The post must be located directly below junction of the main beams.
- The main support beams should have been checked into the post, so as not to rely solely on bolts that will rust.
- A checkout creates a shoulder for the beams to rest upon even when the bolts rust they will still be supported.
Other side of the joint junction showing rot, also to end of a rafter.
Pergola in danger of collapsing.
Important points:
Open timber structures serve no practical purpose when they have no roof sheeting attached over them for protection. Shade-cloth allows for very little protection and traps moisture that accelerates rotting of the timber.