Last Updated on 2017-03-19 by Linda
DIY, sometimes it is worth it, sometimes it is not…. We have this tiny patch of grass left in the back yard and I am telling you major pain in the butt to mow, you need to drag the mower across the deck, down the stairs, make sure you do not back into the pool while mowing… I am sure you can feel my pain here.
Decided we wanted to replace this patch ( which is also mostly clover now thanks to Canada’s new
” no chemical laws”).
Well interlocking stone, the quote was $5000.00, so WTF its 11×17, well I want something different but not that bad, so we decided deck was the way to go but we wanted Trex ( new composite decking).
Decided we wanted to replace this patch ( which is also mostly clover now thanks to Canada’s new
” no chemical laws”).
Well interlocking stone, the quote was $5000.00, so WTF its 11×17, well I want something different but not that bad, so we decided deck was the way to go but we wanted Trex ( new composite decking).
Step one, remove all furniture, mow the grass ( well Kent insisted it needed to be mowed first)
Review your deck plan ( that I am sure you developed months ago, or maybe last night
Measure
We decided we wanted a at level deck ( level with the stones) so what the heck do ya do with the dirt, well Kent decided we would dig trenches because there was no way we could excavate all the dirt down 12 inches.
So we began digging, and digging and digging and I swear to god at times I thought I was dying, ok maybe I am exaggerating slightly but it was 35 degrees in the backyard, ( over 94 F) and digging trenches through clay and gravel was miserable.
We dug trenches all week long, every night after work another trench…..
and then the trenches had to be widened, and leveled, FACKKKKKKKK this gal is not built for this but I kept telling myself, you want a deck and are to cheap to pay someone so Suck it up Buttercup.
Finally it seemed like just maybe we had made enough progress, Thursday before the long weekend we realized Trex is a special order material so maybe we would not even get it on time, well Thank you Home Depot, not sure what we did right but the Orleans Store just happened to have enough boards in stock, so rent the van from them, load the vehicle and now this gal is hauling lumber.
Friday night of the long weekend, home from work and away we go, start building the frames two 11x 8 foot sections to ensure no movement.
Looks easy right well every friggin board must be level before they can be pined so took some time but we did it.
Little worker gal, set to go
Saturday, 35 degrees in the backyard, this area is in the direct sun, no shade anywhere and we are digging trenches to ensure 1) we have a level area and 2) so the boards are not resting on dirt, you heard me more digging.
Not sure I stayed hydrated enough but the one plus is we have a pool which on the long weekend I did not even turn the heater on, pool was down to 82 but boy did it feel refreshing ( I know 82 is not a hardship to most but I usually like it at 86)
Now we are hot, tired and burnt on one side little worker girl.
but the frame was done
Up bright and early on Sunday and it was time to install the Trex. Trex has a hidden fastener system which is slightly misleading we thought it meant the boards would be tight together but that is not quite how it works. Once we figured it out it was easy peasy, seriously, it was not difficult at all just a two person job, you need extra hands to hold everything in place.
We had the deck completed by early afternoon
Is this not a thing of Beauty
Add furniture and we are ready for a Party.
Nuresha Perera says
the deck looks lovely. ENJOY!!!
llance91 says
Enjoy deck or mow….hmmm tough one….. NOT !!! Looks great!
Anne says
It came out great! Good for you guys. You're brave tackling this in 90+ degree weather!
Angie says
That looks like a LOT of hard work but definitely a beautiful addition to your home. I bet you get tons of use out of that deck 🙂
lemonlaurie says
I remember help my dad work on the deck a few times.One time it was wood then he changed it to bricks.
mum says
love the new deck. The racoon had an easier time with the digging 2 years ago. You guys did a great job.
Linda Cassidy says
thanks and I swear I was praying the raccon would return at times.