Master Bedroom Deck Project #1

Part 1, planning, prep and the foundation.

This will be a post/thread/blog about the new deck we're building off of the master bedroom.

We're having new energy efficient windows installed in February and the existing window will be replaced with a sliding glass door.  Before they can install a door we need a deck though.

Luckily we were able to borrow the stakebed truck form Kellie's work so we got everything for the base of the deck in one trip.

Here is a "before" photo, although it's obviously after we'd started buying the lumber.

Here is a drawing from Sketchup with the initial deck plans.  The railing will probably change, the posts on it certainly will.

Sketchup model of the project.

January 17, 2016.

First up, attaching the ledger board.  This was attached with 21 "LedgerLOK" bolts.  They claim to be stronger than the 1/2"x5" lag screws and are approved in code.  I'm sure someone will point out that code calls for the stucco to be completely removed so that the ledger is in direct contact with the rim joist with a Z flashing installed to direct water away from the ledger and opening in the stucco.  I opted to not go this route because it seemed like removing that much quality stucco would be creating more of a problem leading to wood rod than it would be preventing.  All holes were pre-drilled and sealed with silicon, the edges around the ledger were also caulked to prevent moisture issues.

Initial placing and leveling of the 2x8x16 ledger board.

Ledger Board Bolted to the house.

January 18, 2016

With the ledger up I was able to measure and space the locations for the two posts.  Posts are 6"x6"x8' pressure treated.  Footers will be at least 18"x18"x21"deep with Simpson anchors that elevate them above the pad.
On digging the first hole I ran into some concrete, afraid it might be part of the septic system I kept digging and unearthed what appears to be block wall about 20" below grade.  One neighbor mentioned he'd seen old photos of the area and there may have been a used car dealer on our lot back in the 50's or 60's.  After verifying it was not a septic tank I blocked off where I needed the pad and backfilled.  The pad sits directly on the corner of the wall, so I'm not worried about it shifting.

Something in the bottom of the hole!

Looks to be the corner of a wall or foundation.

Framed and concrete poured.

Frames removed the following day.

January 20, 2016

It rained on the 19th so that delayed this pour by a day.  The second pad was uneventful.  I ran into some sprinkler lines, but the existing irrigation system is a mess so I cut them and will just abandon the rest of the system in favor of doing it the right way in the near future.

Pads were allowed to cure for 3+ days before we continued on with the next step of adding the posts and beam.