Is this deck post getting cracks due to it being overloaded?

Question

I never seen such types of cracks online.

Is this particular post overloaded.

There is nothing on the deck.

Also another closest post set 10 feet away.

Any idea

Answer 1

Not concerning. Appears to be limited to a small section near the center (pith) of the tree that is exposed on this face of the post as cut. A side effect of the tendency to try to get the most post from the least tree in modern lumber production.

The wood on either side is solid, and this area will be shallow as well as not extending to the edges.

Answer 2

This is normal for wood that is exposed to the elements. The wood is constantly absorbing and releasing water. Over time, this will destroy pressure treated wood.

The pictures aren't concerning for two reasons:

1. The wood still has some yellow to it. This deck looks to be maybe 3-5 years old. The wood likely still has lots of life to it
2. The cracks aren't major. In fact I wouldn't even call these cracks. They appear to be surface only.

I wouldn't be concerned unless you see major cracks appear that run most of the length of the wood, or appear to be stress fractures near your fasteners (i.e. a crack surrounding a structural nail). Some cracking over time is normal. Cracks like the one below are the ones you should look out for (original source)

If you want to limit this "cracking" (or prevent it on a new deck) wait until the wood is relatively dry, then apply a waterproofing material (water seal). Shouldn't deteriorate anywhere near as fast.

Answer 3

The vertical cracks are absolutely no problem - they are a natural result of the wood drying out, a little too quickly. Proper treatment (eg painting) would have prevented/reduced it, but it's too late to tell you that now!

Note that this post is under a compressive load from above, so these will have reduced the strength of the post by about 0.0001% If it was under a tensile load that would be about 0.001%, and if there was a sideways/bending load it might have lost 0.1% of its strength. (Estimated figures only, obviously!)

The flaking is fractionally worse, and depends on the depth, but again, and as others have hinted, there is plenty of strength in the remaining wood - lose approx. one zero from each of the figures I just quoted.

Finally, I wouldn't expect the effects you've already seen to get significantly worse, and if the structure has been well built, you can afford to lose an entire post anyway.

EDIT: PPS I would worry if the crack has a significant diagonal component - ironically this is more likely in a better piece of timber that doesn't have heart-wood at its centre!