[biosurfer1]

Ideally, splices are to be made over a post however staggering the splices should work fine according to my research. Every 2x8 has at least one post supporting it along with it's sister board (i.e. no floating board in the beam)

The original deck had (untreated) 4x6 beams that had twisted pretty bad and from what I have read, laminated 2x8's in the staggered setup I'm using will be stronger than a 4x6 beam and have a reduced chance of twisting. It also allows me to change out single pieces if anything happens (rot, twist, etc) in the future.

The joists will run perpendicular to the beam shown, resting on top of the beam shown (2nd beam down further) and secured with hurricane ties, then cantilever over about 18". In California the hurricane ties aren't required but it will help keep everything lined up until I get the blocking up and they are cheap enough that it can't hurt to have them.

That drain is actually one of 4 in a series under the deck that can drain out around the house either direction. Luckily there is space to crawl around under the deck so I know I'll have to clear out the drains from time to time but with the skirting I'm putting around the outside of the deck, it does a decent job of keeping leaves out. It clogged the first big rain of this year and held up nicely since then.