Using concrete deck blocks and some lumber, my family is building a pool deck. Come along with us on this little project. Hope you enjoy this video and please subscribe.
Hey my friend, I wanted to say omgosh and thank you ever so much for this step-by-step video. I am a disabled person, but with the help of my 24 year old I am sure we can do this ourselves. I have seen 30 or more videos and I'm telling you this is the one that applies to me. I have a 16x32 and we're building the lower deck and stairs just as you have. The only thing different is I will add extra support beam going diagnally at the bottom as you did the top for extra security. You are truly a blessing to us and it saves us $7,000. Thanks again and stay blessed.
Again, helpful video and admired you even more for putting together a list of things needed to help Connie. New subscriber for sure! Down to earth, humble, next-door type... love it!!
Hi, I like your idea for your deck and I am planning in installing one. I was thinking down the way of concrete blocks but the ones I see in Home Depot or Lowes don t look so deep for a 4x4. Maybe I have to rethink the base for the deck because I don t want to have and accident in my hands or have to redo it.
Do decks built on ground-level blocks wobble more, compared to those that are set on footings 4 feet into the ground? I'm considering this but I'm skeptical about its sturdiness, with kids jumping & running on the deck to dive in the pool...
Does it move a bit…yes. Does it concern me and the safety of my children…no. My kids have played on and jumped off this deck now 2 seasons and soon to be 3. No problems. I did add the diagonal supports for the vertical 4x4’s. Thanks for watching. 😀
I live in Kansas and have not had any trouble with heaving in the winter. My deck has been there 4 years and has not moved. The boards have warped but that is another story. If a person lived a little further north, they may need to consider digging holes.
So far so good. I dug down, did rocks & sand then the concrete blocks. Once everything is tied together it pretty solid. I have seen a few where they added cross braces. I will say the biggest problem is the treated wood was so wet that a couple of my 2X6’s have warped on me once they finally dried out. :-(
I know this project is a year old now-but we are using those exact same deck blocks for our deck project, and we were wondering if you had any issue w/getting the 4x4 in the hole? Our post is not sliding all the way down into it ( hole about 3 inches deep).
I did have a little trouble on a couple of the real wet posts. You can try to sand the edges or shave the sides a bit to get it to fit. Should help you slide it in to the pocket. 👍
@@watkinstreefarm6880 Am thinking about using deck blocks as it looks easier than digging holes. Have you had any foundation issues? Some say they are only meant for real low level decks
No sir. I guess I didn’t want to dig (8) 3ft deep holes in the ground. I did research on these concrete blocks/floating decks and thought I would give it a shot. It doesn’t get cold enough here for frost heaves.
Watkins Tree Farm - Hobbs Creek Country Life thanks. So just to clarify. No you’re not concerned or no you’re not in a cold climate? I see the answer now. Didn’t read the last of your statement. Thanks.
2x6) (1) 16ft / (1) 12ft / (6) 8ft (2x4) (10) 8ft (4x4) (8) 8ft (8) Concrete Blocks (3) 6-Step Stringers Timberlok (Wood Lag Screws) 4-4.5 inches long (24) Joist Hangers (30) 5/4 X 6 X 8 Deck Boards You will need 3" & 1-3/4" deck screws also. All boards were pressure treated lumber. Cedar was too expensive!! This will get you close. Please realize that every project is different and each project will have its own challenges. Good Luck!!
Make sure you have a good base (crushed rock) then the block. The weight of the deck should always keep contact with block. Mine is still in contact 2 years later. Thks
(2x6) (1) 16ft / (1) 12ft / (6) 8ft (2x4) (10) 8ft (4x4) (8) 8ft (8) Concrete Blocks (3) 6-Step Stringers Timberlok (Wood Lag Screws) 4-4.5 inches long (24) Joist Hangers (30) 5/4 X 6 X 8 Deck Boards You will need 3" & 1-3/4" deck screws also. All boards were pressure treated lumber. Cedar was too expensive!! This will get you close. Please realize that every project is different and each project will have its own challenges. Good Luck!!
Officially no. In the beginning of this video, I show ACAD prints. You can pause the video and take those down. I believe in Building Pool Deck #2 video I have a materials list in the comments. Thanks for watching!!
@@andyking7713 If you are putting the deck over a slab, you could do a few things. They make a metal bracket that will hold the 4x4 post on one end & then the other end will anchor to the concrete with an anchor bolts. You could use the concrete blocks but that doesn't seem to practical now with the concrete slab. The last thing is you could put the 4x4 post in the ground and fill with concrete. Personally I would use the anchors. Good luck.
Hey my friend, I wanted to say omgosh and thank you ever so much for this step-by-step video. I am a disabled person, but with the help of my 24 year old I am sure we can do this ourselves. I have seen 30 or more videos and I'm telling you this is the one that applies to me. I have a 16x32 and we're building the lower deck and stairs just as you have. The only thing different is I will add extra support beam going diagnally at the bottom as you did the top for extra security. You are truly a blessing to us and it saves us $7,000. Thanks again and stay blessed.
Makes me feel good to hear that I could help you guys out. Good luck, be safe and God Bless my friend. :-)
Excellent instruction!
Thank you very much. I hope you follow us for more projects.
Again, helpful video and admired you even more for putting together a list of things needed to help Connie. New subscriber for sure! Down to earth, humble, next-door type... love it!!
Thank you very much & thanks for the kind words. Have a great day!!
Thank you for the great guidance
No problem. Glad I could help.
Good video, I’m ideal hunting for a deck to my pool.👍🏿
Thanks for stopping by & watching. I hope you can follow us for other future projects. 👍
Hi, I like your idea for your deck and I am planning in installing one. I was thinking down the way of concrete blocks but the ones I see in Home Depot or Lowes don t look so deep for a 4x4. Maybe I have to rethink the base for the deck because I don t want to have and accident in my hands or have to redo it.
Thanks. Yeah it is nice to find the concrete blocks that accept a 4X4 post.
Do decks built on ground-level blocks wobble more, compared to those that are set on footings 4 feet into the ground? I'm considering this but I'm skeptical about its sturdiness, with kids jumping & running on the deck to dive in the pool...
Does it move a bit…yes. Does it concern me and the safety of my children…no. My kids have played on and jumped off this deck now 2 seasons and soon to be 3. No problems. I did add the diagonal supports for the vertical 4x4’s. Thanks for watching. 😀
@@watkinstreefarm6880 Thanks for the info!
about to build a deck around my above ground pool Is it ok to use the concrete blocks instead of digging holes?
I live in Kansas and have not had any trouble with heaving in the winter. My deck has been there 4 years and has not moved. The boards have warped but that is another story. If a person lived a little further north, they may need to consider digging holes.
Looking to do about same thing but had a question - Did you use adhesive with 4×4s and concrete blocks?
No I just set the 4X4 into the concrete blocks. Gravity and weight is holding it down. Thank for watching.
@@watkinstreefarm6880 Man, blocks I bought do not hold a 4×4 that snug! Thanks for responding
@@jaredm730 That stinks. I actually had to trim the sides of the 4X4's to get them even to go in.
Thks for watching & commenting. I hope you subscribe & follow us. 👍
Does it shift any? After it settles some? Didn’t know how secure the floating deck is? Pretty secure after you tied everything in?
So far so good. I dug down, did rocks & sand then the concrete blocks. Once everything is tied together it pretty solid. I have seen a few where they added cross braces. I will say the biggest problem is the treated wood was so wet that a couple of my 2X6’s have warped on me once they finally dried out. :-(
Watkins Tree Farm - Hobbs Creek Country Life. Did you use any kind of braces?
I did diagonal sway bracing. You can see them in Thumbnail’s of Building Pool Deck #1 & #2.
When you attached the joist hanger did you use nails or screws? Or both?
@@adamblair3726 I used screws. For me it is just so much easier. Also if you put one on up side down you can fix it quicker. LOL
I know this project is a year old now-but we are using those exact same deck blocks for our deck project, and we were wondering if you had any issue w/getting the 4x4 in the hole? Our post is not sliding all the way down into it ( hole about 3 inches deep).
I did have a little trouble on a couple of the real wet posts. You can try to sand the edges or shave the sides a bit to get it to fit. Should help you slide it in to the pocket. 👍
@@watkinstreefarm6880 Thanks for the quick response! Appreciate your sharing this!
No problem man. That’s why I do it. Hope you follow our journey.
@@watkinstreefarm6880 Am thinking about using deck blocks as it looks easier than digging holes. Have you had any foundation issues? Some say they are only meant for real low level decks
@@driverbarnvlogs6973 It has been over two years and no issues. We live is KS and it gets cold but not super cold but no issues.
Are you in a cold climate? If so, any concerns about frost heaves? Thanks
No sir. I guess I didn’t want to dig (8) 3ft deep holes in the ground. I did research on these concrete blocks/floating decks and thought I would give it a shot. It doesn’t get cold enough here for frost heaves.
Watkins Tree Farm - Hobbs Creek Country Life thanks. So just to clarify. No you’re not concerned or no you’re not in a cold climate? I see the answer now. Didn’t read the last of your statement. Thanks.
Nice Job, ill try to do mine is there a way you can share the list of materials you used. Thanks
2x6) (1) 16ft / (1) 12ft / (6) 8ft
(2x4) (10) 8ft
(4x4) (8) 8ft
(8) Concrete Blocks
(3) 6-Step Stringers
Timberlok (Wood Lag Screws) 4-4.5 inches long
(24) Joist Hangers
(30) 5/4 X 6 X 8 Deck Boards
You will need 3" & 1-3/4" deck screws also.
All boards were pressure treated lumber. Cedar was too expensive!!
This will get you close. Please realize that every project is different and each project will have its own challenges. Good Luck!!
Thanks for watching and good luck
@@watkinstreefarm6880 Thanks for sharing God Bless!
What should I do if the block sinks a half inch which means the post is no longer touching it because it shrank as well lol
Make sure you have a good base (crushed rock) then the block. The weight of the deck should always keep contact with block. Mine is still in contact 2 years later. Thks
Hi I going to try and build this would you have a list of items and sizes I would need?
I will try to put a list together for you. Give me a second.
(2x6) (1) 16ft / (1) 12ft / (6) 8ft
(2x4) (10) 8ft
(4x4) (8) 8ft
(8) Concrete Blocks
(3) 6-Step Stringers
Timberlok (Wood Lag Screws) 4-4.5 inches long
(24) Joist Hangers
(30) 5/4 X 6 X 8 Deck Boards
You will need 3" & 1-3/4" deck screws also.
All boards were pressure treated lumber. Cedar was too expensive!!
This will get you close. Please realize that every project is different and each project will have its own challenges. Good Luck!!
Send us a picture of your completed deck. We'd love to see it!! Watkinstreefarm@gmail.com
How is you build going??
Do you have a material list for the deck ????
I believe I put it in the comments a couple times on Building #2 video. If you don’t find it I can probably dig something up for you.
Are there plans for the deck? Asking for my husband. Lol
Officially no. In the beginning of this video, I show ACAD prints. You can pause the video and take those down. I believe in Building Pool Deck #2 video I have a materials list in the comments. Thanks for watching!!
That 4 x 4 10 or 4 x 4 8 thanks
I used treated 4x4 post- 8ft long. Thks
Watkins Tree Farm - Hobbs Creek Country Life if I do the deck on the concrete. Do I need block concrete? Thanks
@@andyking7713 If you are putting the deck over a slab, you could do a few things. They make a metal bracket that will hold the 4x4 post on one end & then the other end will anchor to the concrete with an anchor bolts. You could use the concrete blocks but that doesn't seem to practical now with the concrete slab. The last thing is you could put the 4x4 post in the ground and fill with concrete. Personally I would use the anchors. Good luck.
@@andyking7713 How is the build going??
This and part 2 was a great video! I know it was a few years ago but what is the estimated costs for the supplies?
I believe it was around $600. Lumber is been such a roller coaster lately. it’s hard to predict. Within the comments I do have a supply list.
@@watkinstreefarm6880 Thank you so much. This really was a great video and I appreciate the response.
@@kallel6588 You are very welcome and the main reason I do this channel.