decking - remove concrete or not?

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by Harrison, 26th Jun, 2017.

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  1. Harrison

    Harrison Active Member

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    Howdy :)

    We are wanting to get timber decking in the garden. There is concrete that needs to be removed and we have been quoted on removal and decking.

    I am thinking to cut costs, should we just leave the concrete and deck on top of it? What are the implications if any??

    Cheers
    E
     
  2. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Is the deck going to be raised (accessible) or laid on the slab?

    Termites will be the main issue if you can't access to inspect.
     
  3. hammer

    hammer Well-Known Member

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  4. WestOz

    WestOz Well-Known Member

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    Will the height be ok at doorway/s
    Could prob get away with laying them on treated batons, depends how wet/moist it will get
     
  5. Harrison

    Harrison Active Member

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    We would like to raise it a little so it sits the same level as the house....

    The concrete is also uneven and cracked....??
     
  6. Brian84

    Brian84 Well-Known Member

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    Treated pine framing with galvanised screw bolts if going over existing concrete and that's also if the slab isn't in to bad of a condition.

    If the slab is bad then just bust a few holes in it with a sledge hammer or Jack hammer and dig some deep pier holes and put your posts in the ground as the piers for the deck framing.
     
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  7. WestOz

    WestOz Well-Known Member

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    How many mm would it need to come up off slab?
     
  8. EN710

    EN710 Well-Known Member

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  9. hammer

    hammer Well-Known Member

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    yup.
     
  10. Harrison

    Harrison Active Member

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    I will have to check the mm..

    So I need to measure concrete slab to top of door level coming out of the house?

    Is there a certain amount of mm you would need or it doesn't matter?
     
  11. WestOz

    WestOz Well-Known Member

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    yea from the top of the slab to the total height you want
    total mm will dictate closest joist size + planks

    however if using a tradie he/she can sort it out for you
     
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  12. Harrison

    Harrison Active Member

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    Okay thanks ..

    Yes we are using a tradie...

    Our tradie said its a preferred method as the decking would be on a sound structure in the future.

    Why did haven't other trades suggest to keep the concrete though?
     
  13. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    It's not just termites that will be the problem.

    Does the slab have enough fall to drain when it rains, or will water pool in the dips?

    If the slab is too close to the deck, then the underside of the deck is more likely to stay damp after rain because there isn't enough airflow. This can cause cupping (the wider the board the worse this will be - so stick with the 90mm boards at a maximum).

    How will you clean out dirt and leaves that fall on the slab?

    Do it once, do it right!

    There are lots of threads (and some debate!) on very low decks on the Renovate Forums site.
     
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  14. Harrison

    Harrison Active Member

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    Thanks Joynz, appreciate your feedback.

    I will go back to the tradie and find out.

    So you can build a deck on concrete but I just need to nut out if the deck has airflow and drainage...

    How would I clean underneath even if I didn't have the slab there?

    Definitely, want it done right the first time ..:)
     
  15. WestOz

    WestOz Well-Known Member

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    Exactly