Deck addition

For this blog, I decided to turn it over to Dave to give an update on the recent expansion of our deck. So here goes...

Since moving into our home a year and half ago, one of our favorite and most used spaces has been our covered deck. However, at 12 x 14 feet, the covered deck always seemed too small when we had family, friends and neighbors over. So we decided to do a little addition that would be uncovered, but give us a little extra room.  

We started by taking measurements, and decided to extend the deck by 8 feet out into our backyard, for a total area of 14 1/2 x 20 feet. We then reviewed the City Codes and submitted a building permit to the City of Ankeny for the low cost of $36. The City provides a good guide detailing minimum standards and I bounced a couple of ideas off of our Johnston Building Inspectors to make sure I would meet all of the Code requirements.  

Less than a week after submitting the permit, we were given the green light to proceed.  After pricing materials, we used Leachman Lumber to order the materials as they deliver, which was valuable as we had a lot of 16 foot long lumber, and they were also less expensive than Menards. The delivery driver was even kind enough to gently drop off the materials in our backyard, significantly reducing the distance we had to haul all of the lumber. We also requested Iowa One Call to verify we didn't have any buried utilities in the area we were digging, they responded in less than 24 hours from submitting our request.

The lumber was delivered to the back yard.  The spray paint/flags indicate that we didn't have to worry about any underground utilities.

We moved the lumber under the deck to save the yard, and used string lines to measure out where the deck would be and where we would need to dig the post holes.

The City requires they inspect the post holes before you pour footings/install the posts. So on Saturday in about 95 degree weather, we started digging the two post holes. The holes were required to be 17 inches in diameter (based on the size of the posts and span of the beam/joists) and 42 inches deep to get below the frost line. Two posts were required.

Janet working on digging out the first post hole. We used the tent for shade since it was so hot. She was an expert in this area, having dug lots of holes to set fence growing up on the farm.

One of the post holes.

We were able to get both holes dug in less than 4 hours, we also took off the front plate of the deck so we could set new joists on the existing beam.  Since the City had to inspect these before we proceeded we took the rest of the weekend off. At 7:30 a.m. on Monday morning, we had a successful inspection and got to work. Luckily we both were able to take the week off and I put Janet to work as my apprentice.

We started by setting the posts in the holes and checking dimensions to make sure they were properly located, level and square. We then added about 1 1/2 gallons of water and dumped in two bags of post cement mix, topping that with another 1/2 gallon of water. We made sure the post was square and lightly tamped the cement to get the air pockets out of the cement.

Post is set and concrete has been added.

The concrete set within 20 minutes and the posts were securely squared. We then proceeded to fill the remaining portions of the holes with dirt.

Both posts are set and filled and Janet is working on digging out the remaining spoil dirt.

With the posts set, we needed to set a beam between the posts that the would hold the joists.  We used a string line to make sure everything was level and square and then notched out both posts to allow us to set the beam.

One of the posts notched out for the beam.

We then set the beam between the posts (checking for level several times). We used two 2 x 10 foot beams and secured them to the posts with 1/2 inch galvanized bolts.

The beam is set.

With the beam set, we set out to set the joists between the existing beam and the new beam.  To do this we had to remove the front railing and pull up a couple of existing deck boards.

Several of the joists are set from the existing to the new beam.

With the joists completed, we wrapped the outside of the joists across both sides and front to give the deck a finished appearance. We also started to set the railing posts. However, during this process our circular saw decided to burn up, so we called it an end to day one.

Joists are set and wrapped.

Progress at the end of Day 1.

Tuesday was less productive as I had a meeting in the morning, delaying us until after lunch, which by that time it was over 95 degrees. Nonetheless, we had a new saw and got to work finishing the railing posts and setting all of the decking.

Janet seemed to be a good help screwing down all of the deck boards, but was temporarily fired when it was discovered how many screws were missing the joists.

Progress at the end of Day 2.

Day 3 started early as we got to work on the railings. We set 2x4 foot railings between all of the posts, and then topped the railing with a 2 x 6 foot to match the existing railings. It was then time to install nearly 80 spindles.

Installing spindles.  Janet cut each one of them...her first time using the big saw.

By the end of Day 3, the deck was done!  And yes, we enjoyed a cocktail to celebrate!

While the deck was done, the work wasn't, we needed to pull up the sod from under the deck and install new river rock. For some reason, my apprentice took this day off so I was flying solo.

A ton and a half of rock delivered to our driveway by TNT Landscaping, notice the wheelbarrow, which was used to move it all to the back yard.

Here's the finished project, with the river rock completed. We'll do more edging/landscaping this fall.

Once the deck was finished we scheduled a final inspection with the City and passed. So now it's time for a party to try it out!

Overall with the lumber, rock and other supplies we spent less than $1,000 on the addition, quite a savings from paying for the labor of someone else doing the work.