New cooker deck!

[DaveD]

Weather was rainy and windy pretty much all day, so no progress, but the materials got delivered.



Tomorrow's Wx looks good, so we'll see...

[DaveD]

Times like this, I bust out my Dad's famous catchphrase: "Whatever's right."

[Alan Brice]

I might at least grab the box of stuff to go in back, porch pirates would have that already esp on garbage day.

[jfmorris]

Set stuff like that on the curb here, the trash guy is gonna come along with his big truck with the "claw" and pick it up. If some junk collectors with their trucks and trailers don't beat him to it...

[Rob Johnston]

I am following. This is exciting. Congrats!

[Sweaty Paul]

Congratulations and enjoy the process!

[DaveD]

Yesterday's cold front resulted in crystal clear skies today, but about 25F cooler than yesterday...! Crew is getting a move on.



I've got a good vantage from one of our bedroom windows upstairs, whence I can take progress pics without getting in the crew's way.

[rlozinak]

Congrats, Good Luck and this is fun to watch!

[DaveD]

Whole buncha progress today. Took these when the guys took their lunch break.




It was into the twilight before I got out to take a couple shots at the end of the day. They've got the frames for the two steps ready to go.





If the forecast holds and tomorrow's rain doesn't arrive until after sundown, they could be close to done tomorrow... they've got an electrician they work with, and if they quote me a reasonable number to do the electrical outlet (not included in the deck job) I won't mess with shopping around. Apparently the county final inspection will require the outlet in place for signoff.

Stay tuned...

[Panhead John]

Alright Dave, looking good! 🥳

[TripleB]

Hey Dave, been reading this with interest. My BBQ area is about the same. Mine's 10'x10'. Works well. Question, why did you not go with cement pad rather than a wooden deck?

[DaveD]

Hey Dave, been reading this with interest. My BBQ area is about the same. Mine's 10'x10'. Works well. Question, why did you not go with cement pad rather than a wooden deck?

I didn't want to pave over that much yard, for two reasons. One, although it's not hugely obvious in the photos, that ground has some slope to it, and I can tell from how the stone patio we installed affected runoff that to have that much concrete would almost certainly cause problems with drainage and runoff. Two, that part of the yard gets strong afternoon sun, and I don't want a piece of concrete sitting there baking, and then re-releasing that heat all evening. Much rather have something that sits atop the ground so it can "breathe", if you like.

And only the framing will be wood, the decking and railings will be Trex. Standard procedure as I understand it.

[TripleB]

Got it. Do you plan on putting an awning or something to protect you from the elements when you are grilling? I put up a pergola with sun shade over my area.

[DaveD]

TripleB That's TBD - I'll see how things go once this is in place and in use. I'm looking at a retractable side awning kinda thing to put up on the "west" edge of the deck (the short side opposite the steps), because that afternoon sun is typically getting lower in the sky by the time it clears the trees that shade much of the yard. I don't anticipate a full cover though...

[hoovarmin]

It's gettin real up in here, D!

[DaveD]

Here are a few shots I just took in the morning light before the crew gets here... more details visible.

[hoovarmin]

Looks solid!

[Panhead John]

Fun times Dave! The hole in front of your gas meter? Is that where they’re going to pour a concrete foundation for the steps?

[DaveD]

Panhead John Sort of - see my latest post, I'm about to post up a couple of photos taken just now.

[Alan Brice]

What went into the four main holes? Just concrete then supports on the concrete? Or supports all the way in the hole w/concrete poured around them.

[DaveD]

It's the latter, 4x4 posts in the hole, concrete poured around them, then top covered with dirt.

[DaveD]

They got the step frames in place, with supports below in the little trench dug for the purpose. Starting to lay the actual deck surface now...

(Channeling Troutman's signature zoom-in photo technique... Dun-dun-DUNNNHHH!)





You can see how the short trench was used, to anchor the supports for the steps. Also helps answer Alan Brice 's question, you can just see the concrete poured around the 4x4 supports.

They have about three hours of daylight left, which is about when the rain is likely to arrive, so whatever they get done today will be it until next week...

[Troutman]

I have deck envy now. Mine is 22 years old and shot. I’m thinking about doing Trex this go round.

[Donw]

Much better than my construction project today redoing the structure around and above my septic tank and then replacing the lift pump. Mike Rowe had nothing on me today as it was a dirty job. I can definitely say your project is much more fun watching.

[hoovarmin]

Yikes!

[DaveD]

Now that is a bar set very low...! What a mess.

[DaveD]

More twilight shots of the status after day 2. One more day and it'll be done, but the rain will be deferring that day well into next week I'm sure. It has already begun to fall.







Looking very nice so far!

[hoovarmin]

Gosh, Dave, it is looking fantastic! How exciting! What is so cool is that we get to watch it come together, and then see posts for years to come of you putting it to use. Love this!

[RonB]

Starting to look really good now.

[DavidNorcross]

Really looking good!