Patio and pergola installation

[VABlue]

I've finally started building a patio off the basement door that we've wanted since moving in. Getting the pergola support posts into the ground before the patio was built would actually ensure that the pergola gets built, also! Anyway, I'll get to the photo documentary...


Before I started...


Getting the area leveled and framed so I knew where to put the posts; given the tight area and slopes, most of the leveling was done by hand rather than the loader


How I dug the post holes - probably a waste of money considering the effort I put into moving this thing around and the time it took to clean up the holes...


6x6x12' posts, glad I had the loader... Each post is 18-20" deep with 160# of concrete.


Getting the posts up by myself took some ingenuity. The loader acted as a brace while I leveled and squared them.


Some ladders, the loader, and straps held the beams in place until I could get holes drilled for the 1/2" carraige bolts. I balanced them on the loader, then climbed the ladder and pulled the beams into place to strap them onto the posts.


6" of crushed stone base later and it's ready for the 6x6" brick pavers.

I'll make the next set of pictures smaller, but right now I'm tired of setting at the PC and want to get more work done...

 

[EddieWalker]

Looks like a fun project. I especially love the pictures of your tractor in action. Just add one more thing to the list of why you can't live without it!!!

Eddie

 

[ktm250rider]

Looks great so far, post some finished up pics.

Be sure to slope the patio a good amount so any rain water wont get under your door and in your basement.

 

[VABlue]

It's sloped about 5" and has a daylight drain under everything. I'll also put in slotted drains running from the gutter downspouts on the house corners and run them on either side of the patio and out the fence. That should be enough drainage to keep everything dry. I'm still laying the pavers - life got in the way of play this afternoon... I'll post more pics tomorrow.

The pergola won't be finished for a while yet, I needed to get the patio in only because the paver pile has the boat barracaded in the garage. Not good!!! I figured if I didn't get the posts in, it would look awful seperated from the patio.

 

[VABlue]

Got some more work done yesterday... Don't think I'll do much today, my vacation is over and I've worked harder than I would have at work! Think I'll rest a little. Or get some other stuff done... Anyway, I got the patio in now...


Laying bricks - two trailer loads of 6"x6"x2" brick pavers (~5# each). Without the 2305, I would have needed about 40 trips with my 18hp Craftsman and dump cart!


Closeup of what it looks like - its not very level or evenly spaced, but so what? Adds to the charm... (Or so I tell myself!)


Adding some leftover crusher run to lock the bricks in place. Side bonus - the stones make a nice bed for drain tile on the outer edges of the base framing.


Another closeup after filling and hosing it down to help settle the dirt. There's a low spot on the right side that I'll have to repair, about 8 bricks need to be raised a little.

 

[EddieWalker]

If you decide to put down some pavers again, sand will give you a good level base on top of the rock. Just put down two 3/4 inch PVC pipes and scree off the sand to the height of the pipes. Remove the pipes and fill with sand.

Of course, on a small pad, it's not that noticable. Thanks for the updates, it's coming right along and looking good.

Eddie

 

[Timber]

That looks great, I can so relate to the working harder on vacation than at work. I have to put down some more decking tomorrow my self after a week off

 

[VABlue]

I thought about using sand to lock the bricks but the extra base was easier than running back to the store. I never thought about screeding sand to keep it all level! I did run a 10' 2x4 over the base like a screed, but it was too long to pull from one side and too short to work it back and forth. I didn't bother to attach eyes and rope to pull from the middle... Maybe I was just tired of working on it and needed a break so I took shortcuts? The lessons we know and keep having to relearn!

Anyway, thanks for the comments! I don't think I'll do anything more until next weekend. Maybe lay out the drain tile if I get too bored today...

 

[woodlot]

Looks really good! I'm assuming your going to run a beam between the two outter 6x6's to support the "joists" of your pergola.

If that's the case, then, my only suggestion is to install that beam in a timley fashion. That GT wood moves, shrinks, twists, checks, bows, bends, and crowns pretty quickly. Getting everything screwed down helps alot. You may need to retorque your lags after the wood shrinks too, i do.

 

[VABlue]

Good advice, thanks! I'm going to put 2x6's on top of the joists (notched to fit nicely) as part of the top structure. I was hoping to wait a couple of weeks, but if I need to do it soon, I can. I didn't think the PT would dry out that quickly...

Actually, thinking about it, I'll put up a temporary 2x4 between the joists to hold everything straight this weekend . I want to get the drain lines in and backfill the patio frame before I start playing up top again.

 

[woodlot]

Yeah, What GT does after its taken off the stack at the lumberyard can be pretty amazing. I lag railing posts to the framing on decks with 1/2" lags to the point of sinking the rounded head into the wood. I come back three weeks later to retorque. Usually 1/2 or more lossen up to the point that I can turn the nut by hand. Amazing but true. I won't buy any more GT wood than what I can install that or the next day. Store in the shade and stacked as much as possible.

 

[VABlue]

Thanks Woodlot, now I have all of the 2x6's and 2x4's I need for the top structure of the pergola. I was going to get the drain tile in and covered first, but I'm scared of the PT moving around on me!

Question: what is the best way to attach the 2x6's across the four 2x10 joists? I plan on notching them 1.5" to sit down over the joists, but otherwise don't really know how to attach them properly. I doubt glue is enough, and have thought about drilling in dowel rods to help the glue. Is that enough, or am I stuck with hurricane straps (which I'd rather stay away from due to looks)? Would a framing nailer be useful in the long run? Any help is appreciated...

 

[Defective]

I would either toenail the 2x6s on or use long lag screws. I wouldn't glue them as I've rarely seen glue work worth a darn on PT lumber.

 

[VABlue]

I had planned on getting the drain tile in and covered with dirt this weekend, but decided to get on with the pergola instead. I used seven 2x6x12' to go across the 4 joists, and have five 2x4's to put over the 2x6's. I got the 2x6's shaped this morning, then cut some grass while waiting for the mid-morning sun to leave the pergola area. This let me get the 2x6's notched and placed on the joists. I'll come in next weekend with a framing nailer to permanentize (new word) them. Here's some photo's...


The little 2305 ready for work


Loaded up, secured, and ready for transport - 7 2x6x12'; 5 2x4x12'; and 150# of sand below the lumber in the bucket


Craziness - getting the first board up for marking. Too much work, I need to be smarter and safer!


Notched... I used a circular saw to cut into the board on both sides then chiseled it out


One down, 6 to go...


Finshed up


Another shot

It was too hot to do anything else, so I'll resume next weekend with the framer and 2x4's. Maybe then I'll get to the drain tile? BTW, the other boards were much easier to get in place by putting one end on a joist and climbing the step ladder with the other end. I spaced them at 20" and fit the seven pretty well.

 

[VABlue]

I noticed the brush gaurd on the tractor after finishing with the beams and cleaning up. I had swept off the grill after mowing and forgot to put it back up. Glad nothing got damaged!

 

[woodlot]

Wow, that looks fantastic! How did you end up fastening the perlins? That's a tricky one. Maybe a long screw, like a Timber-Lock, from the top? (predrilling a must!) I bet pocket-screws from below would work too.

 

[VABlue]

Thanks... I haven't fastened them, yet. I was going to get up there with a framing nailer but have since reconsidered and pretty much decided on the screws from top. I'll need to get something to fill in the holes, though.

 

[woodlot]

Nah, you don't need to fill the holes. Just go to a good lumber yard and look at thier ss screws. You should be able to find some 5 inchers with a washer-head, drive 'em flush and your done. Just don't ask how much they cost.

 

[VABlue]

"Just don't ask how much they cost."

That sounds ugly...

 

[flusher]

Thanks... I haven't fastened them, yet. I was going to get up there with a framing nailer but have since reconsidered and pretty much decided on the screws from top. I'll need to get something to fill in the holes, though.

I use Simpson hurricane brackets for that job. Makes it easy. Some folks don't like the look of these brackets. But I figure that the bolts holding the main frame of the pergola are in plain sight, so why not these brackets.