future deck and fnal grading

Last Updated:
May 10th, 2020 4:38 pm

Tags:

SCORE

Reply to ThreadReply

Search this thread

Search this thread

May 9th, 2020 4:26 pm

wind13 [OP]: Newbie; Jun 27, 2018; 52 posts; 1 upvote

May 9th, 2020 4:26 pm

future deck and fnal grading

We are about to get rough and final gradings around the newly built house.
We know where we plan to build a deck, and we think that we have finalized the plans, at least the footprint.
However, this will not happen until the next summer.
There is no good reason to put this year sod on the future deck's footprint.
But do we have to do something about this place now? Should we? Or we can simply just leave it as it is (after the final grading)?

6 replies

May 9th, 2020 4:40 pm

schade: Deal Addict; Dec 17, 2007; 2625 posts; 1619 upvotes; Alliston, ON

May 9th, 2020 4:40 pm

It'll turn into a patch of weeds if left unsodded. Better to sod it.

May 10th, 2020 8:26 am

RaphaelG041: Deal Addict; Nov 27, 2013; 1703 posts; 2470 upvotes

May 10th, 2020 8:26 am

When you sod it will raise the ground an inch or two. If you leave the deck footprint untouched this will create a nice spot for water to pool right against your foundations. Either sod or gravel/river rocks to fill the gap.

May 10th, 2020 10:54 am

dottawat: Sr. Member; Feb 26, 2019; 626 posts; 732 upvotes; Ottawa

May 10th, 2020 10:54 am

If you know the area where you will be putting the deck, don’t sod it. Instead lay some landscape fabric and place 2-3” layer of clear limestone (3/4”). This will keep weeds at bay for a year or two while you plan for your deck. This is the correct detail for installation beneath your deck once it is constructed.

Just make sure you are certain of your deck area before doing this because, once laid down, moving or resizing the gravel patch is no fun. You could also use river rock, which is more expensive but looks better and is nicer to walk on if you think it will be a few years before you get the deck built.

May 10th, 2020 1:41 pm

MrFrugal1: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2012; 4627 posts; 3889 upvotes; KINGSTON,ON

May 10th, 2020 1:41 pm

dottawat wrote: ↑ If you know the area where you will be putting the deck, don’t sod it. Instead lay some landscape fabric and place 2-3” layer of clear limestone (3/4”). This will keep weeds at bay for a year or two while you plan for your deck. This is the correct detail for installation beneath your deck once it is constructed.

Just make sure you are certain of your deck area before doing this because, once laid down, moving or resizing the gravel patch is no fun. You could also use river rock, which is more expensive but looks better and is nicer to walk on if you think it will be a few years before you get the deck built.

I would avoid this like the plague (pardon the expression). Moving three yards of river stone is a PITA; moving 3/4" limestone is hellish.You may also be stuck trying to get rid of that material if your plans change.
Lay some landscape fabric, and stake it down with the proper staples. It will degrade over time due to UV exposure, but you can pull it up in minutes and toss it away.

May 10th, 2020 2:23 pm

dottawat: Sr. Member; Feb 26, 2019; 626 posts; 732 upvotes; Ottawa

May 10th, 2020 2:23 pm

OP is talking about grading his lot: I suspect he’ll have some heavy equipment on site which means this will take about 20 min to lay gravel. Even with just a wheel barrow and a shovel, a decently healthy guy can move a couple yards of gravel in a day, maybe an afternoon.

Drainage gravel underneath a wood deck is best practice. Can you cut corners to save a day of work? Absolutely, but that’s not how I build things at my house.

May 10th, 2020 4:38 pm

wind13 [OP]: Newbie; Jun 27, 2018; 52 posts; 1 upvote

May 10th, 2020 4:38 pm

The grading is done by a landscaping company now. We will not repeat any grading next summer, when we plan to build the deck.
We surely can put down some landscape fabric on its future footprint.
If plans change, then yes, it will be hard to remove stones, but also I think sod will be not good under the deck and will be also hard to remove, no?
The area of the deck is planned to be about 300 sq.f.
Thanks!

Reply to Thread

Top