Question on deck build sitting on ground

[Dftodd]

Thanks guys. All of your comments I thought about.

When first "pitched" on concrete idea, and it was something we didn't considered and really liked the idea.

After giving it more thought, it seems that concrete raises more potential issues than wood given if anything needs to be accessed under the "deck".

We've been here going on 19 years now and only had the one issue, but if another issue comes up, that's the rub.

Water line busted going into my Mom's place.

Water line came into the house under a concrete pad.

It was a nightmare to replace that line. It was also a pretty pricy repair.

 

[1Mech]

Looking at that shady area, I think whether you put down concrete or wood, you will always have a problem with the green stuff growing on the surface. Moss, mold, algae, whatever it is, it will make it look less than nice.
Have you considered a bunch of shade tolerant / loving plants such as hostas and ferns, maybe a water feature of some sort? Then have a curving pathway or sitting area paved with pavers or crushed stone passing through the "garden". A fairly low maintenance, good looking way to make a shady area livable. And a lot less expensive than either wood or concrete! Plus, if a problem develops in your lines again, it would be no problem to access the area.

 

[jyoutz]

I think I would grade that area away from the house for drainage, lay some pretty stone (gravel), and do pavers as a path between the back yard and door.

And use weed barrier fabric under the stone.

 

[Duds13]

Looking at that shady area, I think whether you put down concrete or wood, you will always have a problem with the green stuff growing on the surface. Moss, mold, algae, whatever it is, it will make it look less than nice.
Have you considered a bunch of shade tolerant / loving plants such as hostas and ferns, maybe a water feature of some sort? Then have a curving pathway or sitting area paved with pavers or crushed stone passing through the "garden". A fairly low maintenance, good looking way to make a shady area livable. And a lot less expensive than either wood or concrete! Plus, if a problem develops in your lines again, it would be no problem to access the area.

Exactly what I was thinking when I saw the photo!

 

[2manyrocks]

We get that green mess growing on our wooden deck that is shaded by our house. It's rough on the grain of the wood deck to pressure wash it. Then the pressure washing blasts off parts of the stain in ways that makes it about impossible to keep an even stain on it.

But it's not a bad idea to think about some kind of alternative rock gardens, fountains, zen gardens, graveled walkways, or shade tolerant plants provided you are actually up to maintaining them.

 

[civilian]

One problem with any type of loose gravel, is if you have over active dogs. Our cocker likes to run on the packed 57 (I think) gravel with fines and and quickly turn back to us. And he loosens the top surface of the gravel. Jon

 

[EddieWalker]

Rock gardens, especially next to a house always seem like what was done back in the 1970's. To me, it looks un-finished, and cheap. Pavers also have a habit of looking neglected and junky after a few years. Easy do it yourselfer project, but they rarely look good over time. Wood didn't work the first time, why do it again?

If you're really worried about the water line, move it now. I wouldn't. I'd just pour a concrete pad and be done with messing with that area. It's probably the only thing that a buyer will see and not hate or want to use as an excuse to offer less for the house.

 

[2manyrocks]

Back to the key point. Put in something that will appeal to buyers in your area to boost your resale value.

 

[LouNY]

Screw the resale and what someone else may think or want.
Put in or down what you want!!!!!

 

[2manyrocks]

What if he wants a target at ground level to see if he can p on the bullseye from the upper deck?

 

[LouNY]

Sounds good enjoy

 

[2manyrocks]

I will be waiting to see how the realtor lists this custom upgrade in the description of the property when it hits the market.

 

[Sigarms]

I will be waiting to see how the realtor lists this custom upgrade in the description of the property when it hits the market.

I don’t see it as being a custom upgrade, but updating an existing deck.

Given what we paid for the house in 2005 (and land), I understand we could get more money if we spent more money on the deck, but I highly doubt we won’t be pleasantly surprised if we sold the house as is right now even if we didn’t do any work to it (including the previous 2 bathrooms).

We just enjoy more time sitting at the outdoor table in the front yard for any gatherings.

The people interested in the home will most likely be more interested in the land. If they don’t want all 40 acres or so, will probably subdivide and keep the 20 behind the creek to keep for ourselves

Keep in mind, we aren’t looking at moving for at least another 5-10 years.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Just an idea...my neighbor years ago did a patio "mix", part concrete part decorative stone. Most is concrete with plant boxes on the stone part. Maybe where pipe is could be stone? Neighbor's turned out nice, better than all concrete.

 

[1Mech]

What if he wants a target at ground level to see if he can p on the bullseye from the upper deck?

Ahh, the joys of country living!!

 

[Sigarms]

If you're really worried about the water line, move it now. I wouldn't. I'd just pour a concrete pad and be done with messing with that area. It's probably the only thing that a buyer will see and not hate or want to use as an excuse to offer less for the house.

The guy who is doing the job basically said the same thing you did. I do value your opinion and realize you have no dog in this fight. And yes, is graded away from the house.

 

[2manyrocks]

Much improved.

 

[EddieWalker]

The concrete finishers did a very nice job!!!! What ever it cost you, it was money well spent.

 

[Sigarms]

The concrete finishers did a very nice job!!!! What ever it cost you, it was money well spent.

The guy who got the job came reccomended by a friend with a another HVAC company. The deck with cement was included in the price, and honestly it was actually lower than some guys who would only go back with wood, so at the end of the day, it became a no brainer. However, it was nicely done and very impressed with the work (they were there longer than I thought they would be going over that cement).

One last question (to everyone for that matter). See below. Originally the top deck did not have stairs. I added them in a couple of years later after we bought the house with a guy who I hired for the brains on cutting for replacing wood (BIG mistake LOL). End of the day, we never use those stairs, but being on the third floor, it does make a nice fire escape (particularly since we knew we'd be getting into fostering and any kids would sleep upstairs with us).

Problem is, you always end up having to duck going up or down with the overhang SEE GREEN LINE (doors to the living room are to the right you can't see). Guy redoing the deck wants to narrow it so the end is under the "B" (directly over the second column). He is then going to extend the deck further out to the end of the railing of the 1st floor deck.

The idea was by narrowing the top deck, with stairs, you would have enough head clearance. Problem now is by doing this, the stairs from the top deck will be directly infront of the kitchen window which my wife does not like.

Looking at the deck from the image, we did discuss actually extending the deck out to the left, but it would require a lot more wood (and money) and the removal of a tree that my wife wasn't to keen about.

What we were thinking about is just a gate up on the top deck, and then basically a wooden ladder that you could use just in case of a fire emergency. Could look tacky for my wife, not certain. Thing is, when we bought the place, as mentioned, that top deck didn't even have any stairs to begin with. Heck, worse case, I could always use a rope ladder LOL

 

[Minsid]

I'd just lose those stairs, they look too steep to keep and you don't seem to have another place for them. In addition they eat alot of deck space below.

You talk about a fire exit, good thinking but may I present another possibility of foster children sneaking out the deck entrance?