Pool deck foundations

After digging the area of grass for the new deck by the pool, we received the supports, framing timber and ordered the deck boards for delivery next week.

The deck will be 8m x 4m and be used for sun loungers, all surrounded by the compulsory fencing. There will be 3 main beams running length ways (of 70x200x8m) and then cross beams of 70x200x2m every 50cm.

Here we are making the positions of the cross beams on the 8m lengths (very heavy!) so we can place the positions of the metal supports so they don't interfere with the metal hangers.

The pool looks a little grungy at the point but you'll see in later updates I've started to clear the pool cover and evict the frogs who've taken up residency and were unwilling to leave!

One 8m beam is attached to the concrete pool base with 180x12mm securing bolts spaced at 1m intervals. The other two 8m joists will sit on metal supports buried in concrete 20cm in diameter at a depth of 40-50cm, although we hit some bedrock so had to adjust that for a few hole. 

The petrol auger (tarière in French) was great but very hard work to handle as small stones would make it kick but we drilled smaller holes to start then increased.

Here we have the middle supports in using 30cm cardboard tubing (in red). This will be removed once dry.

Today we completed the outer row (on the right here).

It was up in the low 30C's so not the best day to be concreting but we started early to avoid the afternoon heat. Tomorrow we'll fit the 8m joists into place in the U supports, remove the weeds and then put down a weed preventing covering and a "big bag" (1m3) of hardcore on top. This will never be seen but will prevent weeds from growing under the deck.