i'm going to be building a small area of decking in the garden (3.3m x 1.5m approx) and need some advice.
1. how deep into the ground do I need to set the posts? I've had a look around on the internet and have found info saying anything from 0.3m to 1.2m below ground level.
2. About a quarter of the way along the short edge is an inspection chamber, should I make a removable section to allow access or should I just cut the deck boards into shorter sections and double the thickness of the joists in this area so its less work removing them if access is required?
3. Most of the decking is going to be away from the brickwork of the house however there is a small section that will be in contact with the brickwork (about 0.5m) and I was just going to fix a support beam to the wall to fix the boards to. How do I tell if this will be below the damp course? (the height it will be at is below the level of the floors inside the house)
4. I can get some posts (100mm x 100mm) and wood for joists (100mm x 50mm) for free (they have been treated for outdoor use), will this be suitable to use for the framework and if so what length screws should I use?
5. The deck boards i'm going to be using are 25mm thick, should I use 50mm or 75mm deck screws?
Cheers.
If I can get my camera working i'll get some pics of the garden as it is now so you can have a better idea of what i'm planning on doing.
1. how deep into the ground do I need to set the posts? I've had a look around on the internet and have found info saying anything from 0.3m to 1.2m below ground level.
2. About a quarter of the way along the short edge is an inspection chamber, should I make a removable section to allow access or should I just cut the deck boards into shorter sections and double the thickness of the joists in this area so its less work removing them if access is required?
3. Most of the decking is going to be away from the brickwork of the house however there is a small section that will be in contact with the brickwork (about 0.5m) and I was just going to fix a support beam to the wall to fix the boards to. How do I tell if this will be below the damp course? (the height it will be at is below the level of the floors inside the house)
4. I can get some posts (100mm x 100mm) and wood for joists (100mm x 50mm) for free (they have been treated for outdoor use), will this be suitable to use for the framework and if so what length screws should I use?
5. The deck boards i'm going to be using are 25mm thick, should I use 50mm or 75mm deck screws?
Cheers.
If I can get my camera working i'll get some pics of the garden as it is now so you can have a better idea of what i'm planning on doing.