The deck progresses

Most of last week's work on our new deck was the demolition of the old deck. This is the corner where we discovered a huge concrete stoop buried under the step from the door down to the deck. Lots of jackhammering took care of the concrete; the the hole was filled with dirt after waterproofing was applied. 

Pink strings are the markers for the support piers which are set slightly below grade. 

Ron uses a power driver to insert four metal rods through the concrete support block. Those long rods will be completely buried in the ground when he's done.

There are two huge piles of broken concrete from the stoop, the old deck supports and the cement patio that was buried beneath years of dirt and locust leaves. The orange buckets are two of many holding concrete chips that the crew will take away. The big piles of debris will be tossed into the pond next spring when we fill it in and redesign that area of the garden. 

A board was attached to the house across the width of the new deck. Rubber will be placed under the framework to keep rainwater away from the foundation. The gutters occasionally overflow in this corner during a downpour.

The deck framework begins. Note the concrete support block with the metal rods buried through the openings into the soil. 

It has been fascinating and very instructive to watch this project as each problem is discovered and solved. 

Support boards are ready to be attached. 

Tim Quigley, who owns the company building our deck, has been here every day. Most days he is one of the workmen with breaks for solving problems and answering our questions. 

The view from Mark's chair in the living room where he sits and reads. Everyday the work is up close and personal.

Yesterday the wood for the deck surface was delivered by the same man and vehicle who brought all the material for the base. 

Anytime there is more than one person working — as here with Tim, Travis and the driver of the rig — everyone has been masked. Everyone is always masked when they talk to us. 

We opted for Ipe wood for the top layer of the deck. Ipe is a very dense Brazilian sustainable hardwood, so dense that it doesn't float in water. It's also extremely durable. We'll be long gone before this deck needs to be replaced!

Comments

[Barbara H.]

That's a lot of progress! Do you think this will help eliminate some of the water intrusion you sometimes get in your basement? Filling in the pond - I had forgotten this was in the works but I know they are a lot of hard, wet work.

[Linda Brazill]

BARBARA H.: Hoping this helps with water issues a bit. Our biggest problem is the storms we are getting are the kind that don't move on and so the amounts of rainwater at one time are often more that the ground can handle.  It shouldn't make anything worse, however.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

A lot of progress. It is exciting. Will you be staining the wood or is it already treated? I didn't remember that you are filling in the pond. GASP...what will the Mallard couple think when their spring stopover is gone? I know it is a lot of work. It will be fun to see what happens there.

[Kris P]

It looks like a very professional job. The contractor who managed our home remodel wasn't anywhere near that involved or hands-on.

[Linda Brazill]

LISA — No the wood won't get stained. It will fade eventually. Right now they are putting waterproof "tape" on the top of all the support boards. Tim, who owns the company, is very thoughtful as he works and is a perfectionist. 
There may still be a pond when the ducks return as they do so very early. I can't remember who I've told or not, but we are hoping to fill the pond with dirt, top it with fine gravel and turn it into a raked gravel garden as they are symbolic water features. We'll see if it can be done (well, anything can be done if one can afford it!!)

[Linda Brazill]

KRIS — Friends recommended him and we are very happy with his work.

[rusty duck]

It’s going to look fabulous! Glad you’re going to keep the wood looking natural. But is there something that will prevent it getting slippery in the rain? That’s a real problem here with some railway sleepers we used to cover a water treatment plant.

[danger garden]

Enjoying the progress!

[Frank]

That wood looks so rich. I bet it will be wonderful underfoot, and it's beautiful as well.
Of course it's sad to see the pond go, but I do like to see change, and a gravel garden might be just what you need there. How exciting!