Rebuilding a Ground Level Wood Deck

[@lillithbena1211]

this looks awesome. so straight forward but not without surprised or delays. like so many projects we expect to go one way or take so long, but then they surprise us. love love love the middle section to avoid cuts. i did something similar when i built my deck to avoid excess sawing, something i really hate the sound of. bravo man, really looks great. and also great back story to understand how motivated you have been to get the back yard/deck to your liking. that's pretty motivating to me. if only you were my neighbor and could give some advice on my current deck deterioration and need for redo. my ground level deck was built over concrete patio on 2x4" joists 17 years ago. the only elevated area was built into the wall of the back door and extended from a 2x4 are to a 4 by 8 area to step out onto. at the time, the deck was 5" taller than the yard. i refinished the deck twice, with the first time being done by the book but the 2nd time - with compromised health - i opted for eco-friendly cleaning/prep compounds before applying Behr Deck Over. WELLLL, you may have seen the class action law suits b/c Behr Decover ruined many thousands of dollars worth of decking. add to that, in the years since i built this up, the yard eroded and is now level to the farthest side of the boards. what this caused was water to be pulled from below or into the end and through the boards and up into the joists and deck boards. this is worse in several areas where there is little sunshine. to help mitigate the rotting i saw beginning, i installed a french drain to go along the same span (width of deck is 28 or so feet) where the deck meets the yard some 7 years ago, but you'd never know it. then 5 years ago, b/c of excessive water in the basement, i added a small curved flagstone wall. that cut the water infiltrate from the basement almost completely. wish i could afford to have a company come redo this decking but HALF the boards are totally solid and in good shape. and i plan to move in 3 years when i retire, so investing $20k in a NEW deck is not affordable so close to retirement age. deck is 29 x 16 to 20 feet in some areas, so not small, and it spans the entire back yard entry. so until it's sorted, the dogs cannot access, which is a hard one with a senior pup and 8 month old. anyway - the rotted wood and holes are not only unsightly, they're a safety concern. i would love to start over, just rip all the rotten boards and joists out and "sister" new joists in their stead. but am compromised health wise still, especially when compared to when i installed this deck in 2006, by myself. 700 deck screws went into the endeavor using cordless drill - which were not nearly as reliable as they are theses days. from the time the boards were delivered to when i completed the build, it took me 5 solid days of work, morning to night. so to tear the rotted sections out and begin again would be SO dusty/dirty and time consuming, not to mention a real challenge in my current health state. would prefer to fortify the rotted areas, and build on top a few inches higher. i considered cutting the rotted areas away from the yard, but the yard would just continue to enter the deck area from below without some type of border. MAN how i wish i had used 2x8's as joists. heck even 2x6's would have bought me a few more rot free years. that would have given the height needed to avoid yard run off, though it still would have rotted from below. i had a vine growing from below the deck as well. i also have geckos and pollinators and birds that rely on the food (fall and winter) and water i provide (bird baths) year round, so i would love to not impact the ecosystem if possible. am filling the holes with Bondo this week just to provide foot and pet traffic more safe passage. i know Bondo is not eco conscious, but was hoping to get the surface painted/protected in the next week since this is the only stretch of sunshine we've had all summer. have tried sorting through all the rubberized and textured porch and deck products but just do not think a thick type product will adhere well for the extra work they demand. looking at Semco Titan, Rustoleum 6x Deck Coat, Liquid Rubber (company rep said the context of my deck would prevent success and rx using porch paint), AFM Safe Coat, Golf Synthetics Permabond, REVIVE, Ames Safe T Deck, Rubberize It, and even just PPG Floor and Porch. would love to hear others thoughts. i don't have many options.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Hey buddy. Thanks for the comment. The Deck is holding up really well and we are enjoying it every day. You sure sound like you have a difficult situation there. I know it must be difficult not physically able to do the work like you used to. Time waits for nobody does it? If you’re going to be moving to long-term, you could sell the house and it would be someone else’s problem, but would hurt your house value. I don’t have any real advice to give you. I’m sure sounds like you thought it through and know what to do. I think temporary repairs to make it usable makes sense in the short term.

[@maskedmotorsdiy3575]

Those four breaker boards down the center create visual flair, really like it.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Ticonderoga Dixon Thanks. I was just glad to have zero waste and no end seams.

[@driveman6490]

A technique to balance the look of the deck (picture framing as it's called) would be to run two boards down the center, and one (or two) at each end. It also would cover the exposed ends of all your 12' boards.

[@telluride4017]

Thanks for posting this ! You helped me straiten out the mess that we had at our new home.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

So glad it helped Rob!

[@JettaTDI2005]

it turned out just great.. love the pattern for the boards and that was a Great Idea.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks Pablo!

[@atlanteum]

"Making progress... slowly but slowly..." Seems that's the way these things always go! Well done!

[@RighttothePointDIY]

atlanteum Thanks. You can’t rush it can you? LOL

[@atlanteum]

@@RighttothePointDIY I know I can't! But, as Michelangelo told the Pope - "Hey... it'll be done when it's done!"

[@tadeuszjastrzebski7791]

Showing what problems arrive if …. makes your video the best. Thank You. It helps a lot.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Glad it helped

[@carolewhite760]

I love it . real good idea.looks wonderful

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks for the comment. We are very much enjoying it.

[@dankonrad81]

Good video. Great idea with running the 16' in the center looks cool!

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Daniel Kunz Thanks buddy! I love no waste.

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

The deck looks great the way you laid those

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks PNW! And I loved that I had no decking waste!

[@logandouglas1466]

Quite the upgrade, thanks for sharing.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks Logan! It has been a few years now and we are LOVING the deck and using it for all kinds of parties and relaxation. I appreciate the comment.

[@brishorl]

Vey helpful. I'm about to build one on concrete and I like the idea of the paving slab with the 4x4s to level it. I'll also be putting damp proof coarse under the frame just to give an extra bit of help.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Building on concrete will be much nicer and yes, that sounds like a great idea. Does the concrete slab you are building on have a slope for water run off?

[@brishorl]

@@RighttothePointDIY yes there's 6" of a fall in 18'

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Brian S You should be in good shape then.

[@Kato-1996]

Turned out great!!

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks Mark! It’s held up well. We re-stained it again about a month ago and the boards are holding up really well.

[@berealrelentless6237]

Bravo! I have reluctantly gone through numerous vid's for info on Grd.level. deck. By far yours was above the rest(pun intended, ha) As usual it is the little things that make the difference, and with your numerous points/guidance/instructions, I am able to move forward with confidence on a similar project. Best wishes and thanks!!!

[@RighttothePointDIY]

BeReal Relentless Awesome! Glad it helped.

[@WhoDat_H]

To offset that middle section that the wood is in a different direction to make it look even cooler, you could install circle light fixtures in them as well. Should look nice

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Cool idea!

[@bruceirvine3962]

Thanks. Good video. I am about to start my floating deck and you've helped me!

[@RighttothePointDIY]

bruce irvine I’m glad it helped Bruce.

[@rickorourke4464]

Very nice work! One question I have is about the deck boards you ran in the opposite direction in the middle...did you have to put additional joist supports in to install them? I'm thinking of doing something similar as I have a 25' wide deck.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Yes. I had to put blocking across between the joists in that section so I would have something to attach those center deck boards.

[@hdd5198]

Looks great. Good job.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks!

[@ironshark5015]

Cleverly done.. I appreciate your time and your efforts! Thank you.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Iron Shark Thanks!

[@Lilmiket1000]

Love It! damn im surprised lumber came out that much.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Lakario Davis Yes. It wasn’t cheap. I should note that I used the better quality deck boards. That cost about 20% more.

[@sofiadias8127]

I don’t know about decking I’m about to embark making one. Isn’t connecting to the house to leave abut a space by using a but between house and joist?

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks for the question but I’m not sure what you are asking. Are you asking if there should be a space between the ledger board and the house. The board connected to the house is a ledger board. You don’t need to leave a space between it and the house. Some even would recommend using liquid nails to help it stay adhered to the concrete. It needs to be fastened firmly in place as it is the primary piece connecting the deck to the house.

[@josephj6521]

@@RighttothePointDIY using tap screws is very strong. 👍

[@wood4nothing284]

Good job on the deck it turned great. Cheers Tim from wood 4 nothing.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks Tim! We are enjoying it daily....

[@GotoHere]

The new rebuild would not be code in my city, in a Texas. Need cement posts minimum 12” deep into ground. Along with metal brackets for each support beam.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Totally understand. Where I used to live in Florida it would not be to code either. They would have wanted an architectural drawing, an environmental land study and then a public vote! LOL. In all seriousness, building code should always be considered when doing anything like this. For where I live this type of foundation of the deck was allowed. It has been two years since I did the work and my deck is still as straight and level as it was the day I finished it.

[@edorofish]

Great job! I have a rotten ledger board against a concrete slab I need to replace. I haven't figured out how to do it without disassembling the entire deck.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Ronald Orosz, that would be tough. If your deck boards were put on like mine you would only need to pull up a few courses to gain access to it. If the other way then that is a lot of work. One thing I thought of for you is to temporarily brave the deck next to the ledger board all along he length of the deck. That would take the weight off.

[@johnmackinnon3211]

I had to replace a ledger board due to the bottom of a french door that rotted out and damaged the rim joist of the house. All I did was cut back the joists 3' from the house, replace and the sister the joists back up to the new ledger board.... that was in 2005. I am now replacing the entire deck (built in 1993) because I want to put down composite deck boards.... easier to just start over to last another 25-30 years.

[@joseesparza6041]

Good job 🛠

[@monaali1898]

I have taken my deck apart and its a total nightmare underneath wood is supported with wood just like yours was no joist hangers used nails rotting mold growing between the joint support boards found a snail in between too lol. It started as fixing a lil dip on heavy traffic area project and has turned into replacing the whole deck . A Nightmare! Loosing sleep over this

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Mona. Wow! Sounds like it was way worse than mine! Sorry you have to deal with a mess. However, just think of how great it is going to be when you are done! It will be worth it.

[@3611136111]

the only thing i worry about is that we built a 4 block tall retaining wall and a one block tall garden and they ALL sank into the Tennessee clay. Maybe its a weight thing. Hope it works for you.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Robin C - I can appreciate your concern. What put my mind to rest was the fact the wood blocks that were there had been there for many years and had not sunk a bit. We have had lots of rain last winter and and then dry most of the summer and it hasn’t settled any I can see. But we are on the high part of a hill and the drainage is good.

[@3611136111]

@@RighttothePointDIY ahh im on the lower part of the hill. Neighbors run off all heads my way.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Robin C - That could be a problem I admit.

[@Patriots1645]

Now that you have had the deck for awhile I was wondering how you felt about having the joists 2 feet on center instead of 16 inches? It looks like your using 5/4 deck boards I was wondering if there is bounce in them with that big of a span on the joists.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks for the question. There is actually very little bounce with the 2’ on center and I’m a big guy (250 lbs). However, if you are building new and don’t mind the additional cost go with the narrower gap in joists.

[@bobbhaze5571]

Great job 👍🏼

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks Bobby. We are enjoying it daily!

[@christopherkouri2317]

Nice job!

[@MagicNomadic]

I am replacing a ground level deck I built 25 years ago using the exact same support system and will be doing it the same way again.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Awesome! 25 years out of a deck is pretty dang good! If it lasted that long then the support design must be good. Good luck buddy.

[@desmondmarshall7384]

Great job! I took notes.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Great. Good luck in your project!

[@desmondmarshall7384]

@@RighttothePointDIY if I could post photos here I would. Everything came out great brother! Thank you 🙏🏾

[@RighttothePointDIY]

@@desmondmarshall7384 That’s great!! Wish I could see it. I’m sure you are enjoying it every day.

[@scottsenjo2057]

Very helpful, man. Great video, thank you!

[@RighttothePointDIY]

So glad it helped you. I sure learned a lot from doing it! :)

[@xanh01]

That's nice Scott. I am doing it now.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

xanh01 Thanks and good luck.

[@rosecare555]

All that stone you put to level up the deck will be showing? And there is no covers at the end. That’s it? 😳

[@RighttothePointDIY]

rosecare555. You were not able to see the final product. I have installed a flagstone patio along the long side with the rock border. I have a corner step on the down slope side and then a flower bed and bushes along that side. You don’t see any of the concrete pads.

[@ralphtamez5492]

Thank you, for all the info, looks great

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks Ralph! It was fun to do.

[@jackvucreative]

Thanks for the video! How did you consider a slope for draining for when it rains?

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Jack Vu Creative Good question. The center of the deck area was sloped down slightly to the down slope. In heavy rains I see a small amount of water trickling out that side.

[@TheClaudos]

At the end of the day, as long as you are happy with what you done that's the most important thing! By the way, is that a dead cat or racoon in between your second joist from the right at 3:49?

[@RighttothePointDIY]

TheClaudos Thanks for the comment. As to the ‘dead animal’ that made me chuckle. No, it was not a dead animal. The side I was digging out the dirt to extend the existing deck had some type of fibrous ground cover that had been put down. It was gray and came up in clumps. That was a clump of it I had pulled out and tossed aside.

[@robertlopez5476]

Looks great! I'm building a deck very similar to this. Question: did you attach joist hangars on the front of your deck or are they connected with the 4x4 posts?

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Robert Lopez. I connected the joists the the front ledger board (the one opposite the ledger board against the foundation) with screws. There was no need to use the joist hangers because I could screw into them from the other side of the ledger board. Couldn’t do that with the one attached to the wall. You could use joist ha gets but that isn’t necessary.

[@djrockwell5722]

Thanx this gave me the idea to expand my ground level deck

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Awesome!! Glad it helped.

[@nmban]

Good job! I studied your video! Soon! I will build a ramp of the stage on the school. ... wood, angle, finish, important level ... Etc So I headache now! ^^;

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Good luck with your project! Glad this video helped.

[@REVerbtalk]

wow $1,300 in lumber? how much were the planks and 2x8's?

[@RighttothePointDIY]

RE Verb That includes all lumber. I did reuse most of the 2x8’s so that saved in cost. The majority of the cost were for the deck boards themselves.

[@BenDeniz5]

Why leave space between wood panels?

[@RighttothePointDIY]

If you were referencing leaving spaces between the deck boards some people do some people don’t. I left it there simply to allow for expansion and for rain to go through.

[@BenDeniz5]

Scott Wiens thank you for the reply

[@davegrier523]

I'm just the painter but I would think you need more than 4 fasteners a side to make the sisters act as one piece.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks for the comment. Actually the four screws per side are enough primarily because there is a support right in the middle. If there wasn’t it would be a different story. It is holding up very good so far.

[@davegrier523]

@@RighttothePointDIY I'm sure four screws will hold the two pieces together but you miss my point. Unless you follow a prescribed nailing pattern the two pieces cannot act as one. In your ground level deck it won't matter but if you were doing the same thing to stiffen a bouncy floor it would be useless. This is carpentry, not by guess or by golly. it has all been done before and you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Just follow best practice as outlined by any reputable source. I think it's a shame that well meaning but under educated laymen spread half baked construction all over the net.

[@RighttothePointDIY]

@@davegrier523 hey Dave. Let me first see if my reply was not meant to be dismissive of your comment. I appreciated your insight. I realize that if this were any other scenario it would’ve needed a lot more screws and probably glue and other things. I was just making the point that for this construction I thought it was adequate.

[@saboorsaboor704]

I love it

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thank you!

[@georgesmart239]

Great job! I think it looks good and would be happy with it as well if I built it.

[@thedyslexic9936]

works for me...

[@isabelheras9035]

I’m surprised lumber was that cheap

[@RighttothePointDIY]

It is interesting on person was surprised it was that much! LOL. I got the better quality pressure treated lumber (it was ground contact grade).

[@63Nuggets]

Damn poor a concrete slab

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Pour a concrete slab instead of rebuild the deck? Well, that was briefly considered but that would have been pretty expensive and we love wood decks so we went this direction.

[@danesstang9307]

29 people who live in apartments disliked this video

[@RighttothePointDIY]

LOL! Yeah, probably. :)

[@2nickles647]

😂😂

[@ikeo8666]

think you made your job harder by not just ripping everything out and starting over

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Well, you could look at it that way but I was on a bit of a budget and most of the wood was in good enough condition so I reused it. If cost wasn't the object I would have gone with all new lumber.

[@Ed1Ward]

Pity it's 360p video

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Ed A Sorry. Just learning how to do this.

[@josephj6521]

@@RighttothePointDIY that’s fine. Looked good on my phone. Great work. 👍

[@lasheaprice7063]

plqq

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Nice job!

[@RighttothePointDIY]

Thanks my friend. Been 4 years and we have had a ton of fun on that deck.