How to add a deck during a home remodel
Adding a deck to your home is a wonderful way to add character to your home. A deck is a great place for social gatherings or just afternoon sunbathing! If you have decided you would like to build a deck, but you aren't sure how to start, here are some tips to help.
Before you can even begin construction of your new deck, you need to read up on your cities zoning laws and residential building codes. The laws will tell you what you can and cannot do when building your new deck. You typically will need to obtain a building permit and discuss your project with your local building inspector to be sure you comply with the building codes.
First, gather all the necessary tools you will need; a shovel, level, carpenter's square, wheelbarrow, drill, caulking gun, hammer, plump bob, wrench, tape measure, circular saw, and safety goggles.
Second, determine what type of deck you want to build. You may want a tall deck, or a short deck. Each deck will require different materials. Here are a few common materials used for deck building: concrete, cinder blocks, caulking compound, flashing, gravel, post caps and bases, joist hangers and nails, seismic tools, rebar, stainless steel nails or HDG nails, and cardboard tube concrete forms.
Third, you need to prepare the site for where your new deck will be built. Of course, you will need to know the exact measurements of your deck before you can begin. Once you have the measurements, you can outline them on the dirt or grass and begin preparing the ground. You will need to remove all the grass and weeds from the area and apply mulch over this area to kill the weeds. Then, you will need to level the ground as much as possible.
Fourth, if your deck will be against your house, you will need structural support against the house using bolts or lag screws. Be sure the deck wood lines up with the structural support of your home. This means you need to screw the bolts into the wall studs of floor joists. You will need to remove a portion of the siding of your house in order to gain access to the solid wood. A freestanding deck is a little easier to construct (you won't need to remove siding) but it does require time and more work on your part. The end that is up against your house will need to rest on piers, which will require more cement work on your part.
Fifth, you now need to create the pier holes. The pier holes need to go below the frost line to avoid freezing in the winter. Using your plumb bob, you will dig each hole the same depth and apply a layer of crushed stone to the bottom. Now you will mix the concrete and build a small form for a square concrete footing and allow the concrete to cure.
Sixth, you will use a waxed cardboard tube to help with each concrete form. Each slap of concrete needs to reinforced with rebar and the top of the concrete piers will be about 2 inches above ground level. A post base will be put in each of the concrete piers before it cures.
Seventh, using your cinder blocks, you will play around with the height to make sure you have the house in like with the deck. Use long, straight boards from the house to the cinder block to determine if it is level. After you find the right height you can begin building the deck.
Hopefully this will help you get the base of the deck ready, the floor and railings will require extra work on your part. Again, check your local building regulations to make sure you are in compliance.
Like this article? Then Digg It
or
add it to your Del.icio.us Bookmarks!
Tags: build a deck home remodel deck
