"Doug came out and surveyed job and gave us a fair price and suggestions on stain type, Behr Deck Over, to be used afterwards. After checking around we decided to go with his business on the stripping. His crew arrived on time and spent the day getting the deck pressure washed and stripped for staining. The crew did a good job. I ended up staining myself to save a little money. I would these guys again."
"Very well. The slight dip in the kitchen looks better and the doors trued up. The slight sag still in the kitchen floor is because of the sub floor plywood which I didn't want to get in to. They leveled the joist by shimming the tops of several cinder block posts and installing a pair permanent of steel posts under a section of joist the previous owner had cut in two."
"This was alright. The carpet was pretty bad so he couldn’t guarantee it could be cleaned by doing a normal cleaning so he had to get the brush out and do a scrub on it. The steam cleaner wouldn’t have cleaned it properly. He did a fine job on it and it the carpet cleaning. I wouldn’t use him again because he is far out of town."
"Work for poison ivy was very punctual, and he met me on the weekend, since that is the only time I'm in the mountains. He was accommodating for my schedule, and the poison ivy was no longer a problem. It was getting on my dogs, and then onto me, so I knew the problem was solved when it stopped getting on me. There was a delay in getting the deck built just because he was backed up with work over the summer, but he told me that right up front. He then contacted me when he had time coming available, and the work was done exactly when he said it would be, and right on budget."
In most cases, your deck will need some form of deck footing to hold it in place, preventing moisture from rotting your wood and decreasing your deck’s lifespan. Concrete deck blocks are the most common type of footing for floating decks. Some homeowners use ground-level deck footings. For added security, consider digging and laying your ground-level footings below ground.
The best base materials for a ground-level or floating deck are typically gravel and crushed stone (also known as landscaping rocks). These options are inexpensive, provide excellent drainage, prevent weeds, and help minimize moisture buildup, which reduces shifting and rotting. For added stability and to evenly distribute the weight, you can use concrete deck blocks or pavers. While more expensive, concrete blocks and pavers offer a sturdier base than gravel or crushed stone alone.
Yes. Freestanding or floating decks are exactly what the name implies—structures with their own support beams. You can build a deck yourself and place it next to a house for the illusion of a connected deck without the hassle. Or you can construct it in a separate part of your yard for a dedicated outdoor entertainment space. For the purpose of removing a freestanding deck, the steps are the same as an attached deck, but you don’t have to cut the deck away from the home.
Building a deck is often worth the investment, not only because it provides more utility to your yard and gives you more space to entertain but also because decks tend to add value to your home. Keep in mind that second-story decks often require concrete footings, which means they will bump up your property taxes, while decks built on the first story generally don’t require a permanent foundation and won’t affect your taxes. Even with the tax increase, decks are usually a good investment in the long run.
Staining and sealing the underside of a deck creates a moisture barrier but traps water in the boards, quickly leading to rot. No matter how well you seal the above deck, water still gets through via nails and screw heads on the surface. Allow this water to flow naturally under the deck, where it is routed through the drainage system.
The Vidalia, GA homeowners’ guide to deck maintenance services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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