Small deck questions...

[nahuebsch82]

Not sure if deck goes in the "flooring" section or not but lets give it a go!

We are renting a end unit of a 4-plex, our parking spot is right in front of our unit, however, there is a mossy and muddy area (supposed to be grassy) that goes all the way across all the units front entryways. This spot is about 3-4ft across and about 100ft long. Additionally, in front of our unit it drops a good foot from the parking space to the entryway.

Landlord isn't going to do anything about it and we are tired of walking through the muck, so I thought perhaps making a small "deck" with a step to account for the slope change. We have some decent pallets at work I grabbed (free) and can finish them with a plainer and/or wax, figure maybe 4ft wide by 3ft long and a step down....

thoughts?

 

[nahuebsch82]

Guess I didn't add many questions lol.

So, I've never build a deck, with such a small one would it be nessisary to cement the posts or need the concrete footings?

I like the grainyness of the wood and am not sure if I'm going to sand/plain down so for treatment i thought about beeswax or candle wax (cheaper) would either also make it waterproof?

 

[larry_g]

I had to replace my deck boards his year and if you would like some free decking it's yours. It is the composite stuff. Contact me with a PM if your interested. I'm just south of Salem

lg
no neat sigline

 

[CTyankee]

Is one pallet big enough to make the whole "deck"? It's not pressure treated I assume.
If your planning on renting for awhile, I'd just build a simple frame the size you need. Set and level it on 4 large pavers or blocks and deck it with some composite decking material. The weight alone should keep it in place. If not, you can always drive a couple of stakes and screw them to the frame to stabilize it.

 

[nahuebsch82]

One larger pallet may be lol, I'm not too concerned about making it perfect or putting much $$ into it. Just want it functional

 

[bczygan]

Not sure if deck goes in the "flooring" section or not but lets give it a go!

We are renting a end unit of a 4-plex, our parking spot is right in front of our unit, however, there is a mossy and muddy area (supposed to be grassy) that goes all the way across all the units front entryways. This spot is about 3-4ft across and about 100ft long. Additionally, in front of our unit it drops a good foot from the parking space to the entryway.

Landlord isn't going to do anything about it and we are tired of walking through the muck, so I thought perhaps making a small "deck" with a step to account for the slope change. We have some decent pallets at work I grabbed (free) and can finish them with a plainer and/or wax, figure maybe 4ft wide by 3ft long and a step down....

thoughts?

I would not think you could do anything to real property without express written permission of the owner. I would want that for my own protection in any case.

Don't you have a sidewalk for access to your unit?

Photos?

Bill

 

[nahuebsch82]

I'll get a photo tonight

 

[Jinks]

Pallets usually have too much gap between boards & the boards aren't thick enough to support people walking on them for long. Unless you have some real serious pallets you're setting yourself up for some liability.

 

[nahuebsch82]

Here are some shots....

 

[nahuebsch82]

There is a walkway but to not walk through Mud you have to go all the way down to the last unit. Also the other side is nothing but the same

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

I would stone it.

 

[Jinks]

Scotty's right, two or four 18" lawn pavers won't cost much & will be safer than pallets.

 

[nahuebsch82]

I have nothing constructive to add, but this thread made me think about this:

LMAO we'll compare "decks" later in the the thread

 

[nh_yota]

Put down a few large pavers.

 

[Kevin54]

Ditto on the stone. Ask the landlord if you can put down stone if you pay for it. Add some larger stone for a base, then some smaller 3/4" sized stone for a top covering. Tamp it down well.

I wouldn't think the landlord would mind much seeing that there is no grass growing in there. Maybe get everyone along there that has the same problem, and get everyone to go together for a larger truckload of stone. Then get everyone together on a Saturday or something and all of you along there spread the stone out.

 

[bczygan]

Put down a few large pavers.

This.......if the owner doesn't mind.

Or scatter some gravel along the front of more than just your unit, late one night. That way it doesn't point to you.

Bill

 

[nahuebsch82]

K, I'll take a look at some stone then, just figured the pallet was easy and free lol

Thanks for the input guys

 

[James-W]

I like the large pavers idea. You can even use construction adhesive to hold them together and build a really nice walkway that will be very solid and won't deteriorate.