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As well as correct planning
and construction, successful deck building requires careful site preparation...
The
area to be decked should be completely cleared of all weeds and vegetation.
Remove
some of the top soil and then compact and level the ground, allowing for a
slight fall/slope towards the outer edge of the deck, which will enable water to
drain away from the underside of the completed deck.
Soak
the area with a proprietary weed killer following the manufacturer's
recommendations and cover with a black polythene sheet or membrane. To hold the
sheet in place use a covering of 50mm of gravel as this will drain easily and
discourage any regrowth. -
If
the deck is to be attached to the side of a house, the finished level of the
deck should be at least two brick courses down from the damp course and this
will contribute to how much ground is removed. -
There
are two types of basic deck construction, ground level and elevated, the
latter being useful where the ground slopes away or when you want to create a
deck on different levels.
-
To
help create a square deck and determine overall size, mark out the proposed
area using a basic building technique, which involves using 'batter boards',
pegs and string lines. To check that corners are 90º use a '3-4-5' triangle
either constructed out of wood or marked onto the string lines. -
Deckboards
are normally fixed at right angles to the joists, they can overshoot the edge
of the joists at the ends or be trimmed flush with the joists and a fascia
board added for a more decorative and neat finish.
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