How To Build A Deck On Uneven Concrete

Adding a deck to your home can make for an attractive hangout space and can even improve the value of your home. If you already have a concrete surface located in the backyard, you have a foundation that is sturdy and reliable to build your decking on.

The problem is that concrete can’t be easily adjusted. So, what do you do if the concrete surface you plan to work on is uneven? Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure that the process is handled safely and correctly, and you’ll wind up with a beautiful new deck that you can be proud of.

The next step in the process is the lay your decking frame down over the uneven concrete space that you are working with. When applying your decking directly over top of a concrete surface, you will need to use the aforementioned support beams and bricks to lift up any portions of the frame that may sag.

If you are building a raised deck, you will have to adjust the unevenness and the height of the frame using those temporary support beams mentioned earlier. For either type, you can continue adjusting your temporary supports until the surface of your deck frame is completely level.

Now that the deck frame is totally level, it is time to measure each of your temporary support posts. These are temporary for a reason; you will use those measurements to cut new, permanent support posts. Measure carefully so you can maintain the levelness of your deck frame surface.

When you have the supports ready, nail them into place into your concrete base. You’ll need a power hammer to do this effectively and the nails should be rust-proof. These will be your permanent support beams going forward.

With your support beams now secured into place at the proper levelness, we can now nail the decking frame into the support beams. Work by securing opposite corners for a more even nailing process while working on the frame.

If you notice that there are portions of the frame that rest right above your concrete structure, you can use your concrete nails and power hammer to secure the deck framing right into the concrete itself. This will provide greater stability and security for your deck frame.

Generally speaking, there is a good rule of thumb for decking. The larger the deck that you have, the larger the joists that you’ll need. Typically speaking, a beam on one side of the joist and a ledger on the other will be required for most deck construction.

With the beam and the ledger, the size of the joists will be dictated not only by the size of the deck, but also the maximum spans. IE: 2×8 is up to 12 feet, 2×10 is up to 15 feet, 2×12 is up to 18 feet, and so on.

A floating deck isn’t attached to the building itself. It “floats” above the ground, generally built on some kind of base (concrete in this instance). Floating decks can be a good idea if you are looking to implement a deck into your backyard space.

The first reason it can be a good idea is because you won’t need any additional building permits to construct it. Not only that, but they are far faster and easier to build than a typical elevated deck would be. Additionally, they don’t require handrails (since they’re close to the ground) or depth footings for additional security and stability.

Though it may sound crazy, some decking requires sloping. With most conventionally installed decks, the gaps between the adjacent boards are enough to remove the need for sloping the deck. The gaps provide the proper amount of space for drainage to run off.

There are some decking products out there, however, that do not have the appropriate drainage needed. This is why you would have to slop your deck. A general rule of thumb is to slope the deck frame ¼-inch vertical for every 12 feet of horizontal pitch.

There are definitely so no-no’s out there when it comes to building a deck. The first is that you don’t’ want to ignore your local municipality’s building codes. This is a big one; if it is found out that you built the deck without proper permitting, you could be fined and even forced to tear down your work.

The second is that you shouldn’t skimp on footers. The deck footers provide stability for the deck frame and make it structurally sound. On a similar note, make sure that you attach the beam to the sides of each of your support posts. The structural integrity of your decking is of the utmost importance.

It is also important that you space out your joists correctly and attach the ledger board directly to the siding of your home if that is the method that you choose. These all play an important role in the structural integrity of the deck, which is the most crucial aspect.