ground level deck

[RPetry]

Help.

A very good friend has asked for advice that I cannot answer. Maybe someone here knows a solution.

He wants to build a fairly small deck off the concrete apron of his inground pool for furniture, lounge chairs, etc. This "deck" will only be 6 to 12" off the ground to allow easy access from the pool. Really more like a platform directly over the ground.

I'm not sure if any wood, including ipe', will withstand the moisture that close to the ground. Thinking maybe some type of composite, but do not have a clue.

Any suggestions?

[PressurePros]

Rick, if its over dirt he will have some issues. PT lumber will last long enough but he has to always use a prentrating sealer (which I asume is a given if you are involved in the maintenance. He can use ipe but ipe can be very slippery when its wet (again something you already know).

He can maybe coat the bottom of the deck with creosote.

[RPetry]

Ken,

Yes, its over dirt. Kind of sandy and on a slight slope, but still dirt and still NJ. The cresote on the bottom of the boards seems like a good idea.

Short of pouring a sloped concrete pad for drainage, I'm not sure if any wood can stand up for long, stain or not. At minimum, even low concrete footings would seem necessary. Aside from the deck boards, what about the, I would guess, 2 x 4 joists?

Seems like plastic would be the way to go but have no idea.

[MMI Enterprises]

When I've seen such things they are very low profile directly on crete slab and joists are of 2x4 or 2x6. Depending on slope I'd want drains underneith or vent holes. They call them sunning decks or some such lingo..

[RPetry]

Kevin,

These "sunning" decks, are they wood or composite? And in Sacramento, you are in a decent climate, not the freeze-thaw, monster rains, and overall horrible climate of NJ.

[MMI Enterprises]

Yes sir..thank God for that too..haha

I would think most places would present issues though if real close to bare ground with no air circulation as too much moisture comes up from ground evaporation. Not sure that freeze/thaw and rain levels matter so much compared to HO watering and cleaning the pool area might.
But hey we do get wet here...Southern Cali does too. Is but a myth from that song 'it never rains in sunny southern california' ..
These days boards are butted right together with no space so that don't help circulation. Is the guy opposed to laying a slab to put it on? Lots of venting..

[James]

Dig up 6 inches of earth. Put down a couple of inches of stone for drainage and to block moisture.
I take care of a huge ipe' built on top of PT on top of soil around a pool. 15 years and going. Very good drainage .

[MMI Enterprises]

James,
That's what I see in deck building books even for regular height decks. A layer of black plastic under the rock would go against the drainage idea but would help fight evaporation and weeds underneith. Bring the rock out a couple feet beyond sides and slope it and that should keep evap, drainage, and landscape edging issues down.

[RPetry]

Thanks Jim & Kevin,

I'll relay the info. There is a natural slope where the "sunning" deck is to be built. I'll advise concrete footers, 6 to 8 inches of stone base overtop of heavy duty plastic, ACQ PFC .40 ground contact 2 x 4 joist, and ipe' 2 x 4 deck boards fastened with SS trimhead screws.

Don't know today's cost of ipe' verses composites but 4 yrs. ago in this area, ipe' was less expensive.

[GymRat]

You can put thin concrete blocks under the deck for air and stability, and just anchor the corners with 4x4s in the ground. Or I hate to step on any toes, wood is so last year, most higher end homes know go with pavers or stamped concrete.

[MMI Enterprises]

Think people do this cause not only do they like wood but you can walk & run barefoot, or roll around on the wood platforms without slipping and getting so burnt.

[James]

Don't use wide boards(6inch) . Better to use 3 to 4 inch wide so the water will run off and less cupping.

[GymRat]

Originally Posted by MMI Enterprises

Think people do this cause not only do they like wood but you can walk & run barefoot, or roll around on the wood platforms without slipping and getting so burnt.

No, I think they put wood decks around the pool, so they get splinters in their feet, and the chlorine fades the stain so quickly, they get to restain the deck every year.