Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Preparation for new deck construction
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BenL
05-21-07, 03:16 PM
I plan to build a new deck this summer and have been starting to do my homework. One question is what preparation is needed, for the groundsurface, before you start putting in the footers and building away. We live in souther NJ.
The deck will attach to the rear of the house at the backyard. I have a water problem w/ the backyard and the basement. We have a french drain in the basement and i think i may have to install one at the exterior yard to help divert water to front of the house towards the street. If i do install a FD, a portion/section of the french drain will probably be near where the deck is going to be, so i want to get it installed first, if i do.
Besides the drain, i will slope the ground away from the house to help divert water away from the house. However, could this cause a problem with the footers if to much water is flowing past them? Footers will be between 2.5' - 3' deep. Would I want to put a section of FD in front of where the footers will be?
Is it a good idea to lay plastic and then gravel/stone ontop of the plastic, to help w/ weeds growing.
Thanks
The deck will attach to the rear of the house at the backyard. I have a water problem w/ the backyard and the basement. We have a french drain in the basement and i think i may have to install one at the exterior yard to help divert water to front of the house towards the street. If i do install a FD, a portion/section of the french drain will probably be near where the deck is going to be, so i want to get it installed first, if i do.
Besides the drain, i will slope the ground away from the house to help divert water away from the house. However, could this cause a problem with the footers if to much water is flowing past them? Footers will be between 2.5' - 3' deep. Would I want to put a section of FD in front of where the footers will be?
Is it a good idea to lay plastic and then gravel/stone ontop of the plastic, to help w/ weeds growing.
Thanks