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?