Pool Deck Planning & Building

[D45]

Time to start planning my fall project .......a deck for around the 24' x 52" pool

It will not be a surround style, just a 12'-14' x 16'-18' rectangle with a set of stairs

 

[D45]

I am thinking either 4x4 posts or 4x6 posts, since they aren't much more

9 posts total?

2x6 or 2x8?

The last deck was ALL made with 2x4s

 

[D45]

Here's the old set up and old pool before I demoslished it all

 

[D45]

 

[D45]

I am thinking something very simple and stolen this pic

 

[mike93lx]

Decks require 6x6 if code is a concern

Look up the American wood council deck guide. Tons of helpful info with span tables, beam sizing, bracing, etc

 

[D45]

Not code here.....6x6 is so expensive

 

[tab2]

Decks require 6x6 if code is a concern

Look up the American wood council deck guide. Tons of helpful info with span tables, beam sizing, bracing, etc

This is incorrect per IRC 2015 table R507.8 as long as your post is less than 8’. There is no Massachusetts amendment for this. However, in MA the “authority having jurisdiction” can typically over rule state code, but that is extremely rare.

All of the span info you need is also included in the deck section of the International Residential Code section R507. See link below.

http://www.huerfano.us/uploads/land-use-office/building/2015%20IRC-Sec%20R507-Exterior%20Decks.pdf

 

[D45]

I had around 22 posts on the old deck, pretty crazy

They were all actually 2x4s sistered together to make a 4x4

Also, the entire deck was just sitting on the ground, nothing was sunk into the ground and nothing was in concrete

 

[mike93lx]

I'd be worried about wind uplift without any anchoring

 

[gungatim]

I had the same size pool. built a half round deck for it. I used deck blocks. then all you need are 2x6's for everything but the short 4x4's for the uprights and 2x4's for exterior bracing. held up for 15 yrs. before I got rid of it, part of it is my veranda in front of my pole barn.

it's a floating deck so you don't need to dig any holes or level anything. just place the blocks per mfgrs directions, bring the 2x6's to the pool, and cut the middle 4x4's to fit. easy peasy and cheaper than a regular in ground deck. plus, when I got rid of the pool I sold the deck blocks for 75% of what they cost originally.

something to look into, especially if you know you'll get rid of it at some point.

(last pic is when I listed it to sell, about 15 yrs. later.

 

[D45]

I am not too keen on using the blocks

Think I would rather dig holes and secure the posts in concrete

 

[gungatim]

I am not too keen on using the blocks

Think I would rather dig holes and secure the posts in concrete

I wasn't sure about it either until I checked one out. they are actually stiffer than most decks I've been on that are built traditional style. no flex at all. it's a bit trickier to hide the blocks but they can be painted or just firr'd out for lattice.

nice thing is it floats with the pool. ie. pool on ground over winter half empty can shift compared to a deck with a foundation below the frost line.

they also make great supports for docks for shallow installations. neighbor saw mine and used them for his dock on our lake...

 

[mmb617]

I built a deck for my pool 7 years ago. I don't pretend to know everything, nor am I saying my way is the best way, but so far it's held up well. Couple things I found out:

First off especially if you're an old fart like me, get some young bucks to do the manual labor of digging post holes. As you can see I made sure they had a supervisor on site.

I built a 16'x16' square along the side of my oval pool using 4x4 posts, double 2x10 beams and 2x6 joists on 16" centers. After 7 years it's very solid and I can't see any sag.

I continued my deck around one end and down the other side. Making the deck match the contour of the round end takes some work but I think it adds a lot to the deck.

I was happy with how it all turned out even though when I posted about it before I had some members telling me it was a real hack job. Fortunately I don't care what they think.

I hope this will in some small way help you. For the record my posts are set in concrete which hasn't caused any problems so far, but then again it's only been 7 years.

 

[D45]

That looks great, good job!

Did you use 4x4s and 2x6s?

 

[mmb617]

I built a 16'x16' square along the side of my oval pool using 4x4 posts, double 2x10 beams and 2x6 joists on 16" centers. After 7 years it's very solid and I can't see any sag.

It's my understanding that 4x4 posts are no longer allowed and 6x6 are required, but that depends on where you are and what regulations are in effect. For the record I haven't seen any problem with using the 4x4's as there are 12 of them supporting that 16'x16' portion of the deck.

The double 2x10 beams are through bolted, one on each side of the posts using galvanized carriage bolts. The structure is very solid.

 

[D45]

I will be using PT 4x4 posts......cheap and effective

 

[Jackfre]

I am not sure how to do this on an elevated deck, but back in the 70's I did radiant tubing in the concrete skirts around the pool. Nice cool footing around the pool and nice warm pool.

 

[kbs2244]

Something rarely thought of.
Cleaning pole reach.

That is a small deck for a big pool.
Will you be able to reach the far spots with the wand?

 

[kbs2244]

Something rarely thought of.
Cleaning pole reach.

That is a small deck for a big pool.
Will you be able to reach the far spots with the wand?

 

[like2wheel]

I was happy with how it all turned out even though when I posted about it before I had some members telling me it was a real hack job.

Looks great from here

I will be using PT 4x4 posts......cheap and effective

Someone will be along here any minute to ask if that's what your architect spec'd out.



.

 

[mike93lx]

I am not sure how to do this on an elevated deck, but back in the 70's I did radiant tubing in the concrete skirts around the pool. Nice cool footing around the pool and nice warm pool.

Useful post of the day!

 

[D45]

It will be built from scratch without any plans

It's only 52" off the ground, why complicate things

It will be built and built solid

 

[cj7jeep81]

Will be watching this. Think we'll be helping a family member build a deck around their pool in the next few weeks, and planning on one for ours next year.

 

[D45]

I went and looked at lumber

I will be getting 4x6 posts.....they are rock solid compared to 4x4s and I will need less of them

Critical Structure 4"x6"x12' : $17.97
Critical Structure 4"x4"x12' : $13.50

Still thinking 9 posts will work

I will also be using 2x8s......again, much more solid than 2x6s

 

[D45]

I found info that 4x4 posts are allowed as long as they
are spaced no more than 10 feet on center

Perfect

I will use 4x4 posts and save money

8" auger hole.......how many bags of concrete should I plan for each hole?

 

[D45]

I will start plotting and laying out post locations this weekend

Next weekend I plan to dig the holes and set the posts in concrete

 

[D45]

Better late than never!

I hand dug 9 post holes today.......posts and concrete going in tomorrow

I went with the 5000 psi bags, since the fast setting bags take 28 days to reach max strength and have a much lower 48......and cost more

 

[D45]

Posts are in a setting up in concrete

Monday I will start framing it

Deck building is fun, it's pretty simple

 

[Bretny]

Everything im reading about this deck build is bare minimum and border line dangerous.

Saving $4 per post is not much. By the time you notch the 4x4 to accept your carrying beam your left with a 2x4 to support the beam. How did you plan on making the beam to vertical post connection?

8in hole dosnt leave you with enough concrete at the corners of the 4x4 post. Dosnt matter that psi the concrete is it wont like the 2in outside the corners.

What material are you useing for a carring beam, decking and hardware?

Remeber your whole family could be on this deck. Just because you dont have codes dosnt mean you should try to cut corners. I do understand that these above ground pools have a life of not much more than 15yrs.

Mabe you should be building a patio with a nice set of stairs.

 

[Notgrownup]

Out of town so I can’t show the whole thing... I only have a small area on the end by the stairs. I didn’t want a walk around because I have a concrete patio and drive way all around with my gutter drains under the concrete. It’s bigen for us and not 1 nail, all screws and lag bolts soi can replace boards or structural pieces if needed. I used Cabot semi transparent stain and it’s thick. All posts are 12” in the ground with sakrete. It doesn’t budge at all.

 

[D45]

All posts are 12” in the ground with sakrete. It doesn’t budge at all.

The posts are only sunk 12" deep?

 

[lakeroadster]

Time to start planning my fall project .......a deck for around the 24' x 52" pool

It will not be a surround style, just a 12'-14' x 16'-18' rectangle with a set of stairs

Surround style is ideal. Since you've had one you'll miss it.

We built one that had single posts. Made a fixture to build all the segments in the garage, then erected everything almost like a kit. Easy Peazy

 

[D45]

Securing a pool cover with a surround was such a PITA

I won't miss it

 

[lakeroadster]

Securing a pool cover with a surround was such a PITA

I won't miss it

It's like anything else.. if it's a bad design you'll have issues.

The surround needs to be about an inch away from the edge of the pool. Then the cover slips right over the top rail of the pool and down past the surround... no worries.

You'll miss it every time you clean the pool... been there, done that.

 

[D45]

I let the Posts set up for 4 days, the 18 bags of 5k psi concrete was easy to hand mix

Used some borrowed 4x4 post levels, pretty neat. They cover two side of the post and secure with a rubber band. Great hands free idea

This pic was before leveling the post, so don't freak out

Gravel bags were also poured in to the bottom of the holes

I will say Menards wood quality was very good

 

[D45]

I used 1/2" galvanized hardware and Z post joist tie brackets. 3 bolts per post

2x8 boards used throughout, including the joists

The joist brackets used 1-1/2" galvanized nails.....lots of nailing

 

[D45]

Time to lop off the 4x4 posts flush and decide what size and kind of top deck boards I want to use

The top boards will be fastened with screws

 

[mmb617]

Securing a pool cover with a surround was such a PITA

I won't miss it

I think that having a deck surround makes it easier. I have a series of eyebolts around the perimeter of the deck just under the railings so they aren't in the way. When it's time to put on the winter cover (mesh), I run bungees between them and the cover eyelets. On the side where the deck is 16 ft deep I use a couple cheap HF ratchet straps between the deck eyebolts and the bungees.

I've had above ground pools for many years and this is by far the easiest way I've found to install/uninstall the winter covers.

 

[lakeroadster]

Good-Better-Best

Curious where you got your information for building the structure? Bolting headers to the sides of posts ?

Probably to late for your deck, but in case others are viewing this thread here's a great link to decking structure design and construction: https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/build-a-deck-post-holes-and-framing