Do it yourself

I would ask someone (not me) about sinking the posts. You might not notice heave in the yard, but put something big and level on it (like a deck) and I'd suspect it'll be cattywampus in 5 years or so. It's a f@$!ton of work digging through 4ft of stone and clay, but it's more work trying to re-level an entire completed deck.

Quote: Face

I would ask someone (not me) about sinking the posts. You might not notice heave in the yard, but put something big and level on it (like a deck) and I'd suspect it'll be cattywampus in 5 years or so. It's a f@$!ton of work digging through 4ft of stone and clay, but it's more work trying to re-level an entire completed deck.

I did some research on it, looks like there is a neat little thing where you can use an impact driver to sink a "foot." If I do this stay tuned.

Quote: AZDuffman

I did some research on it, looks like there is a neat little thing where you can use an impact driver to sink a "foot." If I do this stay tuned.

Again, "your local power company is your friend", lol.

They throw away used poles, and the bottom 7ft. at minimum is still treated and will last another 50 years. Take them home [probably free], and dig a thirty inch hole, insert 4ft. section, tamp in, voila.

It seems their are fables about houses built on good foundations, decks are more important. The foundation is no place to skimp.

Couple of points, if I may. You know you want this to drain away from the house, always. You don't want it to settle and then drain toward the house.

You want the deck surface to be water proof, and spaced far enough apart that detritus falls through the spaces.

Whatever decking you use, make sure you get the proper fasteners. Some materials eat others, like copper and zinc.

Little cement footings would be so easy. Little 2x4 form, drop in bag of pre-mix, add water and stir. I like the brackets that have a leveling bolt and an attachment for the upright. This thing will settle. It would be great to have a provision to re level it.

Quote: petroglyph

Again, "your local power company is your friend", lol.

They throw away used poles, and the bottom 7ft. at minimum is still treated and will last another 50 years. Take them home [probably free], and dig a thirty inch hole, insert 4ft. section, tamp in, voila.

What on earth do you think I drive? How big a dude do you think I am? lol

My plan so far is to use these. $200 or less for a set I will need.



Couple of points, if I may. You know you want this to drain away from the house, always. You don't want it to settle and then drain toward the house.

You want the deck surface to be water proof, and spaced far enough apart that detritus falls through the spaces.

Whatever decking you use, make sure you get the proper fasteners. Some materials eat others, like copper and zinc.

Quote: AZDuffman

A video said put the boards right up against other and shrinkage will handle the holes,

What were they using, green rough cut? I recommend trex or forty year boards. Lowe's delivers.

I got free oak stringers, 4x8x10ft. I cut my own rough cut doug fir deck boards, and put it on a cement foundation. That's when I found out how fast hard wood rots in wet weather, and so does untreated fir.

The whole thing lasted about 6 years and then you could fall through it. It was a joy while it lasted though.

The saying at work was "you never have time to do it right the first time, but you always have time to do it over", lol

Quote: AZDuffman

How big a dude do you think I am?

I went to rigging classes several different times, or several years and this is what I was told. " You want to learn your rigging from a small guy", and it has proved true. A big guy figures he can muscle the heavy things, and doesn't try to make it easier by using fulcrums, or luffing a line using block and tackle.

I'm not big either. A lot of those free materials are round, roll them. Talk to the shop steward at the utility and tell them it's for an old brother, out of local 77. They might just have an apprentice carry materials into your back yard for you, and act like they are doing line inspection? It's amazing what has been moved for a six pack of beer.

Quote:

Still preparing to have to do it alone.

As Hobo sang, "the pleasure ain't the killin, but the hunt". Woodworking is great therapy.

You may not be big Az, but you got that SunTzu thing going for you. My money is on tenacity.

Quote: petroglyph

As Hobo sang, "the pleasure ain't the killin, but the hunt". Woodworking is great therapy.

You may not be big Az, but you got that SunTzu thing going for you. My money is on tenacity.

It is that. I love the shaping part. I wish I tool machine shop in high school. Didn't want to be around the idiots you had to deal with.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I do want a body to help get it square and level. Will pin my brother down to get his discount. Not sure if I will have it delivered or not. Like getting the U out as we all know, but this would take his and my trucks both, and unloading is just no fun.

Stained concrete deck??
Use BagCrete perhaps. You add the water to the Portland Cement inside a sturdy burlap bag and it unfolds into the proper shape during the curing process.
Leveling over the years: Lollyposts??

Does it work? Does it work well enough? Will you kill yourself? You decide. (don't come haunt me if you die or get some weird lung disease)

He never says how long the air lasts.
Not long is my guess, hardly worth
it.