Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - deteriorating concrete steps
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : deteriorating concrete steps
number11
09-02-04, 06:38 PM
I'd like to know if/how I might deck over some badly degrading concrete steps to the front of my house. Ideally, a larger front porch area would be established.
Is this realistic?
Is this realistic?
lefty
09-02-04, 10:58 PM
number11,
"badly degrading concrete" doesn't make for the best base to install a deck on, but it can be done. If the steps are solid and only the surface is showing wear and tear, then you are OK. But if the steps aren't structurally sound, then you would probably want to tear them out rather than try using them as a support for the deck. Once that determination is made, then it's simply a matter of designing and building the deck to meet you size and height requirements and building it accordingly.
"badly degrading concrete" doesn't make for the best base to install a deck on, but it can be done. If the steps are solid and only the surface is showing wear and tear, then you are OK. But if the steps aren't structurally sound, then you would probably want to tear them out rather than try using them as a support for the deck. Once that determination is made, then it's simply a matter of designing and building the deck to meet you size and height requirements and building it accordingly.
number11
09-03-04, 05:57 AM
The structural features are fine - somebody had skim coated on top and tried to lay flagstone in this layer. The flags are "flagging", that is to say, several are loose or chipped out etc. making for an uneven, unsafe walking surface, not to mention really ugly!
My question then becomes, do I lay my decking right on top, or put in sleepers, and how do I extend the size? Must I then put in footings for the ends hanging over the concrete?
Thanks.
My question then becomes, do I lay my decking right on top, or put in sleepers, and how do I extend the size? Must I then put in footings for the ends hanging over the concrete?
Thanks.
Homebuilt44
09-03-04, 05:53 PM
number11
The structural features are fine - somebody had skim coated on top and tried to lay flagstone in this layer. The flags are "flagging", that is to say, several are loose or chipped out etc. making for an uneven, unsafe walking surface, not to mention really ugly!
My question then becomes, do I lay my decking right on top, or put in sleepers, and how do I extend the size? Must I then put in footings for the ends hanging over the concrete?
Thanks.
Number 11
If your steps are lower than the elevation of your front door by more than 7 inches its easy to place sleepers in atach a ledger board to the home and get building. As far as footers for the deck extention most decks use a post support (usualy 4"x4") and joist system you should concrete in the posts with 40 or so pounds of quickcrete to secure the post in place. However if you have very unstable soil you may need to make the hole a little bigger in diameter and use more quickrete concrete mix. If you over lay 5/4" X 6" right to the flagsotne pourch this may be unexcptable uneven surface take the time do it right and demolish the old one low enough to cover it use a ledger board and joist system to conect to the house. You will be glad you did and very proud of the results. Remember if your deck is over 30" off the ground State building codes usualy require a guard railing.
The structural features are fine - somebody had skim coated on top and tried to lay flagstone in this layer. The flags are "flagging", that is to say, several are loose or chipped out etc. making for an uneven, unsafe walking surface, not to mention really ugly!
My question then becomes, do I lay my decking right on top, or put in sleepers, and how do I extend the size? Must I then put in footings for the ends hanging over the concrete?
Thanks.
Number 11
If your steps are lower than the elevation of your front door by more than 7 inches its easy to place sleepers in atach a ledger board to the home and get building. As far as footers for the deck extention most decks use a post support (usualy 4"x4") and joist system you should concrete in the posts with 40 or so pounds of quickcrete to secure the post in place. However if you have very unstable soil you may need to make the hole a little bigger in diameter and use more quickrete concrete mix. If you over lay 5/4" X 6" right to the flagsotne pourch this may be unexcptable uneven surface take the time do it right and demolish the old one low enough to cover it use a ledger board and joist system to conect to the house. You will be glad you did and very proud of the results. Remember if your deck is over 30" off the ground State building codes usualy require a guard railing.