Tie a string tightly in between the stakes. All information is provided "AS IS." Next, you’ll put stakes in the ground and string the perimeter using the stakes and hang a line level. Drill recesses into each mark with a flat wood drill bit. Then the final step is to calculate the number of boards required. To build a decking base on sloped uneven ground: Clear the area of all grass, weeds and debris using a good quality spade Dig 1ft deep post holes Set the posts using post mix so that the top is at or slightly above the desired height Laying decking is an easier job than you might have first thought. Between 3:1 and 2:1 slopes, a minimum of two feet deep, and between 2:1 and 1:1 slopes, no less than 3 feet deep. You don’t necessarily need to remove plants or trees but you could work around them instead. Let us help you. If the decking will be more than 30cm above the ground. If it isn’t level, you can still lay decking but it might be more difficult. Install the rest of the pavers using the same method. You need to use two screws on either side of the board to secure it to every joist it crosses. If you lay it directly on the ground, you may find that it’s more susceptible to absorbing moisture and might need additional maintenance. Measure, measure, and measure again to ensure your deck is good and level. This will guide the screws into the hole and will prevent the wood from splitting. They don't come with the same risk of below-deck pest infestation as raised decks. I'm extrem... procedures for laying the rest of the pavers. You might find it easier to do steps 11 to 13 on one corner at a time instead of all corners, step-by-step. The board should sit flush with the frame. Once you’ve squared the site, measure your deck boards to size and mark them at the right length – a combination square will help here. The next step is to add the inner joists which will evenly divide the square frame. I've put some pegs in and measured and simply put, the ground on the left hand side is approx 90mm higher than the ground on the right hand side. Whether you want to create an alfresco extension to your home, or add a surround to a Jacuzzi or pool, here’s how to lay decking on grass and how to build a raised deck. Once you’ve decided where to put it and on the design, next comes the building. Decking can give you some extra outdoor space for entertaining and can even act as an extension of your home. Lay the decking on the grass in your decided design and leave the right expansion gaps between boards (5 to 8 mm along the length of timber boards, and 3 mm along the ends). so that . Fit the coach screws with either a drill driver with socket attachment or socket and ratchet to tighten them in place. Some become uneven as one side of the crack sinks. The gaps also allow your decking to comfortably expand and contract in weather conditions so they won’t be completely ruined. Outline the size and shape of your decking. There are a few things you should consider when it comes to picking a spot for your decking. Raised decking can give you extra height that may mean you’re not overlooked by neighbours. The other is more difficult but your decking will stay healthier for longer. Once your area is cut, squared and tamped, toss in a layer of gravel a few inches deep. This will reduce the likelihood of moisture seeping into the frame and causing damage. x 6 in. How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground It’s not a bad rule of thumb to simply increase the depth of the footing one foot for every unit horizontal steeper the slope gets. Look for the highest hump in the patio and fasten your first sleeper there. Two in each corner of the outer joist frame. Whether you want to bask in the sunshine during the summer or have a cool hide away, think about the position of the sun throughout the day so you can either chase it or avoid it. However there are a couple of scenarios when you should contact your local council. covers more than 50% of the garden area. Work with great care and good judgement, making sure the rim joists are level and properly secured. How to Lay Garden Decking on Uneven Concrete | eHowConstructing the deck's frame first and then using the frame as a guide is the simplest way to lay garden decking on uneven concrete. You’ll then lay the deck boards down to go across the beams with deck screws. Sweep off the leftover sand. It is also one that can easily be overcome. Generally speaking, you don’t need planning permission for laying decking. Building a deck on a sloped site isn't much more difficult than on a level surface—so long as you plan for the difference. How to Lay Brick Pavers around a Patio B... How to Lay Brick Pavers around a Patio BBQ Grill. One method is quick and easy but it will be hard wearing on your decking. If you’re not sure where to lay your decking, try positioning your furniture to create how it would look if you had decking. Having a deck or patio on your property is a good way of enjoying fresh air during summer days but if you have uneven ground in your yard, building one might pose some complications. There are a few factors that influence the amount of decking you need. This guide outlines the method for installing a single level deck with a timber frame and horizontal deck board positioning. How to Add Pavers along the Sides of a C... How to Add Pavers along the Sides of a Concrete Driveway. We know you want the best possible results. Making use of the plan for your deck, mark out the perimeter of the structure by means of wooden stakes, which you will drive into the ground every few feet. Don’t forgot to protect the decking so your hard work lasts for longer. We welcome your comments and x 4 in. Hammer a peg at each corner and run a builder’s line between each peg. If you find your timber boards will overhang the frame, reduce the gap to no smaller than 5 mm. Clear away the turf so you’re working with the bare soil. Website operating Now you’ve got the frame of your deck, you can lay the boards. Use a drill bit that’s thinner than the screw’s shank. Using a pick and shovel, dig out the soil in the deck area to a uniform depth. Decking which is raised off the ground will require deeper footings – the higher the deck is raised off the ground, the deeper the holes should be. Start in one corner of your sub-frame and position the first board across the inner joists so that the board runs in the opposite direction to the inner joists. Lay all four pieces out flat on the floor, in their correct positions, and fix them together using butt joints at the corners. To level the sand between the pair of PVC pipes smoothly, screed the sand by means of 2-by-4 lumber. I am gearing up to build a work bench that will sit on an old, uneven concr... Hello - I'm putting together a 4x4x6 Rubbermaid shed. A common example of this is an uneven yard. Hi, I have a Husqvarna YTH150. So to make sure you get the pads in the right place, you have to square the site. The posts near the stairs are on higher ground that the ones on the other side by almost a foot. To preview the situation, lay a straight board across the patio in a few spots. You can peg the fabric or … You don’t need to create a countersunk hole as deck screws are designed to sit flush with the board. Decks like this can be used for dining, grilling and other leisure activities. So, if I start at the highest side, by the time I get to the lowest side, the patio will be around 60mm higher than the ground. Add a Railing. Before you start laying, check out our guide to planning your decking project. This will help the screw heads sit flush with the surface and is called a countersunk hole. Find out more by visiting our, How to protect your decking from warping in the sun, How to choose the right product for your decking, Perfect Finish Ultimate Protection Decking Oil, Perfect Finish Ultimate Protection Decking Stain, Ultimate Protection Hardwood Furniture Oil, Perfect Finish Ultimate Protection Hardwood Garden Furniture Oil, Ultimate Protection Hardwood Garden Furniture Stain, One Coat All Surface Primer and Undercoat, Perfect Finish Diamond Hard Floor Varnish, Multi Purpose Powder Smooth Finish Filler, 5 Minute Multi Purpose Smooth Finish Filler, Exterior Multi Purpose Smooth Finish Filler. Unless you’re rich enough to buy whatever you want whenever you want it, you’ll most likely have to deal with things in life being imperfect from time to time. Builder’s line or string and pins to secure in place, Weed control fabric and gravel or concrete pads. This will show you if you have enough decking to complete the job. How to Lay Decking on Uneven Ground. To compact the soil down, you can use a plate compactor or a hand tamper. 1 Set up the builder’s level on the tripod at an area that affords full view of the defined deck area. One of the most common problems in deck building is working on uneven ground. Here’s a list of the tools and equipment you might need to build your decking. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Decking is a great way to add some functional space to your garden. Now here are your two options for laying your decking. You’ve successfully built a deck yourself. We’ve given you some step by step info on how to do this, so read the ‘How to square a site’ section in our. Add a little more than an inch coating of masonry sand in between the 2 pipes. Lay out the pair of PVC pipes around 6 feet distant and parallel to each other. Landscaping (depending on the thickness of your decking and whether or not you put spacers If you live in a climate where the ground freezes, allow an extra 1/2 in. Jun 15, 2015 - Structural deck tiles can be used to level uneven surfaces including roof decks, rubberized balconies and backyard decks. Decking is much easier to lay on a level surface. Make sure that the deck board is in the opposite direction to the inner joists and flush to the frame. The more organised you are before a project starts, the easier it will be. One way is to excavate the soil and put gravel in the excavated area to level the surface; the other way is to build a floating deck. Press it down firmly on the edge restraint sides and lower it on the sand base. Use pegs and string to set out the deck perimeter. suggestions. Then work outward from the high spot, adding sleepers and checking for flatness along each sleeper and across them. Clear away plants, rocks and weeds, and dig down to a depth of roughly 50 mm. Use a pencil to mark the position of the screws. Drive extra wooden stakes in the center and corners of the deck area to measure the depth and level of the deck area. There are many reasons to choose to lay a garden deck. These should be the depth of the screw’s head and wide enough for a ratchet or socket attachment to tighten them. If the decking combined with other outbuildings, extensions etc. Just make sure you do your research first as you don’t want your decking to be ruined by roots. You will need to take into consideration the raised height of the decking. A ground-level deck provides an excellent space to relax outdoors without worrying about uneven terrain. x 8 ft. Standard Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Pine Decking Board - 304672947 Newbury 4 in. Copyright© Level the excavated area using a rake. Leave an expansion gap between the boards and repeat the process with the second row. Trying to build a deck so there is only one step down to ground level. Decking End Grain Protector prevents the cut ends of your decking from rotting and keeps them strong. Begin the task on a corner of the deck base. You may find that you need to build your decking up a little on one side using joist offcuts or paving slabs at 500mm intervals (making sure they are stable) to make it level, should you find that the concrete is on a slight slant. If you're constructing a raised deck, adjust the frame's height and evenness using temporary support beams. Mark a cutting line for the end of the first board and cut it to fit making sure you allow an expansion gap of 3mm in your measurements. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Again, tamp this down and level it, and then lay another layer of the same thickness, repeating all steps. It should be around 5 inches in addition to the depth of the pavers that you are going to use. Perfect for entertaining – sit outside in the Summer months with friends or family; Extend your living space – add garden furniture for a place to relax, a kids play area or even a BBQ station; Level out uneven ground – uneven or sloped areas of your garden can have a deck installed, instead of expensive landscaping That’s it! It protects against rot and decay and helps your decking last longer. Have a look at this guide for more information. Lay your deck boards. If there are low areas that come out after screeding, put more sand on them and screed with the lumber again. Decide on which material you’ll use. Preparing the ground. All rights reserved. Boards laid diagonally and chevron boards need joists 300 mm apart. Add shims to raise low spots. A simple deck at ground level is a straightforward project – a perfect starting point if you're new to carpentry. Step 5: Lay the Beams. Use a thinner drill bit to drill a pilot hole through the centre of the recess from the outer joist into the adjoining joist. View our Privacy Policy here. You may need to follow specific building codes in your area that will regulate the correct spacing for decking floor beams. The sloping ground provides good drainage for the orchard, but presented some problems for the vegetable beds. We'll show you how to plan for, lay out, and build your deck on uneven ground. A common example of this is an uneven yard. Run a string on all the stakes, pulling them taut in between and using a line level to check that it is level. There are two ways you can lay decking on grass. Framing on Uneven Ground. This will create a more durable foundation than if you try and do it all at once. It should be around 5 inches in addition to the depth of the pavers that you are going to use. If you’re laying your deck straight onto the ground, cover the area with a layer of weed control fabric. Check the ground is even. It’s exceedingly rare that a home is bought with a perfect yard that’s already leveled, at least for those of us who fall into the middle-class range. Use a flat surface (a decking board or tamper is perfect for this) and place a spirit level on top to check the ground is even. You can lay out a deck on un-level ground using a proven procedure. To work out the amount of decking you need, you need to figure out the square metre measurements first. Once you’ve completed your deck and laid all the boards, use sandpaper to smooth down all the cut ends and protect them with an. Check your measurements and cut all of the bearers you need to create the outer frame for the deck. Timber boards need a 5mm to 8mm gap along the length of boards, and a 3mm along the ends of the boards. Measure the frame for your decking and cut to size. Smooth the sand down to a 1-inch depth. If you're applying the deck directly over a concrete surface, use the bricks and temporary support beams to lift any sagging portions of the frame. July 1, 2019 Plancic Local Business Directory. The key to building a good deck is to have a properly prepared foundation, and doing it on the ground that is not even is a common problem with most homeowners. home improvement and repair website. 5/4 in. This site uses cookies to improve your experience. Lay the first paver on a corner of the screeded mortar sand layer. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. This should help you decide where the best spot is. So: length x width = Decking surface area in m. Multiply the coverage of a single board by 1.1 to factor in wastage. Level the excavated area using a rake. 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