waterproofing deck

[bczoom]

Coated deck screws that have the square head instead of phillips.
I think they were 3".

I remember they were pricy (but don't recall the cost) since we were joking about how the screws blew the whole budget for the deck. For some reason, I'm thinking we went through 3 boxes. Not sure if they were 50# per box but the same size box as if you bought 50# boxes of regular nails.

 

[GerardC]

Scorpions I bet. I use them for most everything now. And yes, they sure are expensive, but worth the money spent. Gerard

 

[MarkLeininger]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( We didn't attach to the house in any of the construction. )</font>
Brian,
Other than the length of post embedded in the ground, what is providing lateral stability if it's not attached to the house? You get some lateral stiffness from the area that changes elevation, but I would expect to see some diagonal bracing.

 

[bczoom]

Mark,

In general, the thing is built like a brick sh**-house. The floor joists are 2x12's, 16" O/C. Around the perimeter, they're also doubled-up with 3/4" plywood glued between.

The "L" shape of the deck helped.

For the most part, it was just all those 6x6's in the ground. We brought in a concrete truck to fill the post holes. I think it took 3.5 yards.

Near the front of the house, the posts are only above ground a couple feet which makes them pretty tight.

When the whole thing was done, I believe he put a few 1/2" lag bolts through the deck joists into the same of the house.

Attached is the only pic I have that you can see some of the joist work