Q: I’ve never worked with metal joist hangers. When I hold one in my hand, I question whether it’s actually strong enough to support all the weight that will be resting on it. Are they safe?

The design allowed for more insulation in the attic but left less surface area at the connection between the rafter and the exterior wall. Santa says it's not yet clear why the connection failed.

This deck was about 13 miles from Chesapeake Bay in a Baltimore suburb. The joist hangers had severe corrosion. He reached out to me one day and said: “Hey Tim, I’m rebuilding a deck and the ...