Harper Creep Falls

Harper Creep Falls
Harper Creek Falls

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Table Deck

What good is a door to nowhere. Let's put in a deck for access and leisure outdoor activities.


One way to keep the posts from rotting is to keep them out of and off of the ground. These cardboard tubes make easy forms for a footer to set the posts upon.


And once the concrete has dried and cured a few days with a galvanized bolt in it, just mount a handy base to set the post upon, and you have a post that will be there for a long time.


Given the lack of horizontal stability due to the post mounting and lack of attachment to the house, stout diagonals are in order.


By cantilevering the the joists you can use smaller ones and stiffen their support.


The decking complete after 2 screws per joist per board. Given a 12' board needs 20 screws and a 12' x 12' deck needs 25 boards, that's 500 screws. You may think that I am almost done at this point, but the stairs and railing are half of the time spent on most decks. The posts, joists and decking are very straightforward.


I have seen too many stairs weakened by poor design and the ravishes of time. So, I have decided to make my stairs far more sturdy. That begins with a good foundation. I poured the bottom post holes full of concrete and made a concrete footer for the 4 stringers. Here I have the space dug out and am making a temporary support for the stairs so that I may build them while the concrete cures.


In the following picture, the posts were set and plumbed and then screwed to the outside stringers. Posts and stringers had tar applied to prevent rot which occurs most at the interface of ground and air. The concrete is poured and curing and the first two riser pieces are screwed down to stabilize it all.


The stairs are finished with end posts.


I have seen many stair stringers barely hanging onto the bottom of their end joist. I install extra support.


With railing finished, I think they look quite nice.


A sword of heavenly light pierces the completed deck.


The railing is sturdy and symmetrical.


Many diagonals stabilize the posts.


This should add value to the house.


          Clean up and then it time to go home. Another job for which to thank God for His provision.

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