Decking - Timber Structure

[latix]

Hello,

I am building a decking area and I am just curious about a couple of things regarding the posts I need to sink to get a flat base.

Firstly, the posts will only stick out of the ground a maximum of 12", how deep do I need to sink them (I keep seeing 2ft deep but surely thats not required for the height I want to achieve)?

Secondly, the ground is full of bricks,stone etc - whats the best way of getting my depth without creating too big a hole?

Lastly, My frame is going to be at right angles along the ledger but then will taper off at one end, whats the best way of keeping the structure all secure and tied together at the tapered end?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Deluks]

You really don't need to sink the posts, unless it's on a steep slope. Just resting on the ground is fine, or more accurately onto paving slabs or concrete blocks that have been levelled off with a weak mortar/cement mix underneath.

Where the deck tapers off, just triangulate with some joist offcuts, once the boards are down it will stiffen up the whole structure.

 

[latix]

Thanks for the advice, just to give you more detail, I need to sink the posts because........

A) The base will go over half existing paved pation and half grass.

B) The ground does slope down.

 

[Deluks]

Depends on how steep the slope, I would hazard a guess between 12 - 18"

If only a gentle slope and the ledger board is fixed to the house I still wouldn't bother sinking.

 

[Thermo]

12" is fine if the ground is soild. we always sink and concrete the posts in, much more stable.

Not sure what you are referring to with teh tapered end. it will all be secure regardless of wether it tapers if its constructed properly