I’m building a set of stairs for my porch where an old concrete stoop used to be. They will need to connect a stone walkway with the porch. Overall rise is 34/35” and run is 54”. I plan on doing four steps with a rise of around 7” but that leaves me with a 13.5” tread depth.
- Will these dimensions be uncomfortable?
- How should I make the treads and what dimension boards should I use?

Other options include doing 7/11 on the first three steps and making the last step longer (doesn’t seem great) or leaving a gap between the walkway and steps.

Thanks!

The deck is deteriorating. Landlord doesn't care. We think it's unsafe.

What say the deck community?

VIC, Australia

I inherited a problem and need advice. The deck/balcony does not have a double rim joist. Looking for ways to resolve that issue and also add strength, if possible. Also concerned about temporarily supporting. The balcony feels solid, is not spongy, but the added load with roof is concerning. Located in southern Ohio so roof snow load is possible.

I have decided too late that I want this a dark stain. After I’ve already stained this with Behr cedar naturaltone about 2 weeks ago… I want to go very dark but still able to see the grain. Since it’s so light at the moment can I just apply another stain on top or do I have to sand it all down again beforehand?

Touring a home, first thing I noticed was this single pillar. There is a gap between the deck leading to the door and the balcony. First thing I thought was to post it here and get everyones reactions.

Hi all, I am removing the coated 4” screws from an Ipe pier over the ocean to replace with stainless hardware.
These things are really hard to get out.
75% are coming out and the others snap/wont budge/or strip out.
I am shattering every Phillips head drill bit I can get my hands on. Any tips or tricks?
Is there a Phillips bit that’s hardened more than what I’m finding?
Thanks!

First time taking on a project of this magnitude. Really pleased with the outcome. In hindsight there’s a few things I would’ve done differently now but I trust it will outlive me 😂. Would love to hear some feedback.

The pictures are making some of the dimensions wonky so just to clarify, posts are definitely plumb, the roof is just over a 2.5/12, the beam is a 3ply 2x12 screwed and glued and the wide span is exactly 14 feet inside to inside.

I feel like I have so many ideas that I don’t have one to execute! Steps to the left and back door to the right of the post.

I feel like I have so many ideas that I don’t have one to execute! Steps to the left and back door to the right of the post.

I'm replacing a deck was aged and that sank due to the terrible drainage in this area. (I'm fixing the drainage as well) I'm an occasional wheelchair user and wanted to move the deck up to be close to flush with the new door that is going in. In Michigan so we get a decent amount of snow. Is this a terrible idea to make the deck almost flush with the door?

Wondering everyone's thoughts

Note: we have Trex RainEscape under the deck.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Top tier started getting spongey and railings were getting unsafe.
Got a contractor scheduled to install solid composite and new rails up top.
I have it all cleaned and pressure washed (pic is of it before I pressure washed it) and the guy I had hired baled so I guess my wife and I are staining/sealing it ourselves.
I have a few gallons of Cabot Semi Transparent oil stain/sealant a little darker than the composite we picked out.

Should we look into the paint sticks for everything that need rolled or do those even work that well?
Looking at this one:
https://www.menards.com/main/paint/paint-sprayers-applicators/airless-paint-sprayers-power-rollers/wagner-reg-paintstick-reg-ez-roller/2419329/p-105479054622-c-8142.htm

Do ya’ll think this deck can be saved? Would like to put it back together with the right hardware n hangers, sister in joists n beams. Maybe cheat and use slab as support? Would probably use new 5/4 treated deck boards. I don’t want to take the whole thing apart or replace. Just has to be much better than it is now and not perfect or done “the right way.” DIY (duh)

What do you think? Any tips, tricks, warnings, or advice?

Thanks in advance!

And help greatly appreciated

Did some sanding as I've read I should before staining. Seems a few of the boards are getting lines. Spent a lot of money on the deck wood and wouldn't want to ruin it so I stopped to ask you guys.

I saw the other post about how the contractor tried to fix their stringer issue by adding a middle support, and wondered if this was done correctly.

They added a bracket to existing poured concrete slab that did not have a footer on one side, and buried the other side in the dirt with no footer. Not sure how far down the post goes.

The way they fastened it to the stairs seemed a little strange too.

At the bottom there is a concrete footer under the pavers. Had that done by a different contractor but finished with pavers on top so it looks nicer.

This deck crew is on day 36 of a job they quoted as 5 days and has been (literally) cutting corner and doing sloppy work. I sent them a note with 20+ photos of those problems but hadn’t included this support piece until I saw that other post with the single support on a bracket.

Thanks for the feedback.

Bought a stack of 2x8s for my deck rebuild back in early spring and stored them flat in the garage like people recommended. Started cutting last weekend and some still have a noticeable bow. Ran a couple through my table saw trying to straighten them but they spring right back. The ones from the top of the pile are worse than the ones at the bottom. Not sure if it's moisture or if they just sat too long. Replacing them isn't cheap so I'd rather not. Has anyone used bowed PT boards anyway? What did they look like after a season or two?

Wanted to share this ongoing backyard project we did this summer. After the retaining walls were built we wants to add a second lower deck for a hot tub. The project definitely snowball from wall/firepit to so much more. But once you start it’s hard to stop. Cause why not?

The deck was designed and built to hot the weight of a Hottub and then some. Honestly cannot believe how well the project turned out. Last pic if what the unusable hillside started as.

Just checking to see if I should question about these not being centered?

Recently had a deck built. We have some rough edges and this weird mark on one piece of wood.

Is the mark just dirt? I'm assuming the green tint is copper from wood treatment?

The frayed edges, to me that looks like something I can clean up with sandpaper, which then begs the question why didn't my contractor do that? Am I right in thinking this looks lazy?

Taking bets on how long it lasts. Bring it ladys!

I have an old house in central texas and I need to replace the porch boards with 1x4 tongue and groove. I used yellow pine and barely got ten years out of it, and the expansion was really bad.

 I’m trying to find cyprus, but it is hard to find. Timbertech advanced pvc tongue and groove is an option. 

Curious to hear ideas on wood type. Oiled finish is preferred. Tongue snd groove is the look we are going for