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Deck Building Assistance

Discussion in 'New York Tri-State' started by ASG 86TR, Jul 20, 2004.

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  1. ASG 86TR

    ASG 86TR Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2001
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    Adam G
    #1 ASG 86TR, Jul 20, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have my deck plans into the building dept, and hope to have them approved next week, my question is..... Does anyone have experience in doing the initial layout of the footings and ensuring that the footing will be the right height regardless of the grade of the yard. The key is that the beam will sit right on the footings, so they have to poured right the first time. I was thinking of using a water level, but if someone has done this before and could help me out in North NJ it would a big help, and that much closer to my wife stopping the nagging for this project.
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  2. Ed P.

    Ed P. Formula 3

    Dec 28, 2002
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    #2 Ed P., Jul 20, 2004
    You don't have to pour the footings exactly, unless you really want to. The girder can be support by 4"x4' posts on top of the footings. You will still need to calculate you elevations though. Best way is to use a transit, which is very simple to use. A transit "sees" everything along one level plane, and then you calculate everything else relative to that arbitrary level. So set the transit up and level it. Then measure the distance from the transit height to the finished height that you want the deck to be. (for example to the bottom of the door sill) What ever that number is you take it and add to it the height of all the "layers" that the deck is going to be constructed of and that is the height of the bottom of the girder or the top of footings if you don't use posts. There are variations in lumber, so measure the material you get. You need to add the thickness of the deckboards, the height of the joists and the height of the girder. I hope this helps.
     
  3. Schultzois

    Schultzois Formula Junior

    Jun 22, 2004
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    #3 Schultzois, Jul 20, 2004
    Where have I stumbled into?
     
  4. davem

    davem F1 World Champ
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    Jan 21, 2002
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    dave m
    #4 davem, Jul 20, 2004
    Line level on a string from house to sonotubes if that is what your using.
    Laser would be easy too. Put sonotubes in ground could cut them down after fact if you had too. Want a very slight pitch away from house for snow, rain to escape too.
    Good luck.
     
  5. tifosi

    tifosi F1 Veteran
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    Tom D
    #5 tifosi, Jul 21, 2004
    many times it better to build part of the deck first and then temp support it before pouring the footings, this way you see exactly where they need to go. Adam, let me know if you need a hand I can come by one day or afternoon.

    Tom
     
  6. tifosi

    tifosi F1 Veteran
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    Tom D
    #6 tifosi, Jul 21, 2004
    its funny your deck looks exactly like the one at my house, couple of things, make sure you bolt the ledger board to the house, mine was not in some places and it was pulling away - it was an easy fix but easier to do it right. also make sure the two beams sitting on the footings are bolted together, not just nailed because they will have a tendancy to pull apart,

    I would also put blocking between the joists, not necesaary but will make it sturdier when all us f-chatters come over for the bbq :)
     
  7. tifosi

    tifosi F1 Veteran
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    Tom D
    #7 tifosi, Jul 21, 2004
    and another thing, look into the nailing/screw systems that allow you to hide the nails between the decking - its a nicer look and makes the deck last longer than top nailing/screwing
     
  8. ASG 86TR

    ASG 86TR Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2001
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    #8 ASG 86TR, Jul 21, 2004
    Tom...thanks for the advice and offer to help...I spent 30 min with the building inspector who was real cool. I will be bolting the ledger board to the house, and besides nailing, putting a few bolts in the double beam. The whole deck height is 24" so it sits under the threshhold of the sliding door. I will be using 1" decking composite so the tubes will be out of the ground only by a few inches. I am going to look at the hidden decking mounting system, yet the new screws with composite are pretty good.
     

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