Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Level deck or no?

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althang
08-22-07, 09:00 AM
Everything I read says I should build my deck with 1/8" drop per foot. My deck will extend 16 feet from my house which means the bond board would be two inches below my ledger board. This seems quite drastic since my deck boards will be spaced 3/16" apart allowing for drainage. Can't I just build this deck perfectly level and let the water run off between the boards?

Thanks for your help

goldstar
08-22-07, 10:05 AM
Every deck I've had (3) has been level. With the spacing between the boards, there should be no puddling or reason to pitch the deck.
XSleeper
08-22-07, 04:30 PM
I have only put slope on one deck, and it was a tongue and groove composite decking that had weep holes. The decking was run perpendicular to the house so that they could easily hose the decking down (leaves and junk would run downhill- away from the house- better that way).

althang
08-27-07, 12:40 PM
I thought that the deck could be built perfectly level. Everything I have read though states that there should be that pitch. I thank you all for giving me your opinion. Maybe all the stuff that is out there in deck books is just extra precautious since they don't want to get to get sued. Thanks again. I am building the deck level.
logcabincook
08-28-07, 06:55 AM
We added a tiny bit of slope to our deck, maybe a 1 1/2 inch drop over the 16 ft, and it looks just fine. No one notices. Snow is on the ground 6 months a year, so having an extra "escape route" for meltwater is always a good idea. But it is not a requirement.