It's Been Did

The deck is done!

The City of Chattanooga inspector gave his final approval - proof in the picture.
The contractor and I did a walk around, over and under.
The check is written and the money is gone from the GrayStation account.
Certainly the largest check I have ever hand-written.

Now it's on to furnishing, grilling and enjoying!

Day 24 - Inspector

Inspection, check. I will be meeting with the contractor on Monday to do a walk over, around and under to make sure everything is satisfactory.

After that, it is empty the checking account to pay for the deck.

Day 23 - All But Done

Day 23 was filled with site cleanup. One last post also had to be ordered and put in place to complete the stair railing. A fascia board had to be ordered as well, and will not be in until May. You can see the side of the staircase that shows the pressure treated wood.

Tomorrow is city inspector day.

Day 22 - Yeeehaw!

Coming around turn four and the finish line is in sight. The fascia boards were installed around the edge of the Big Deck. The gutter downspouts were put back in place and the siding that had been removed for the job was put back up.

There are a couple odds and ends left to do including site cleanup.

The GrayStation clan went to Lowes and Home Depot to check out deck furniture. We also identified planters and plants that will adorn the rails and certain floor areas. I think we have found a match on furniture and will hopefully have a finished and furnished deck soon.

Day 21 - Finish Line in Sight

As they say in NASCAR, the white flag is out and the checkered is one lap away. We are told that Day 22 will be the last day.

All of the railings and ballisters were put in place, except for some of the railings on the stairs. Some site cleanup was performed today - we have a lot of that to do to make the deck look completely presentable.

The fascia boards will be put up tomorrow surrounding the bottom edge of the deck joists to conceal the treated lumber. Some of the siding that was taken down will be put back up and the gutter downspouts will be put back in working order.

Our deck looks awesome!

Day 19 - Railings!

Saturday was somewhat dry and turned into a day of work since there had been so much rain. The Big Deck workers put in a half day to get the railings and bannisters started.

Day 18 - Post Up!

The beginnings of the railings are in coming along, with the placement of the posts. Of course, it rained and the day was cut short.

Day 15-17 - No Foolin'

Work finally got back under way. The meticulous work of putting down all the planks was well on its way of being completed. The stairs were also put in place.

Day 14 - uh, rain?

Day 12-13 - Weekend - No Work!

Day 11 - It rained

Day 10 - Walk the Planks!

And on the 10th day, there were planks to walk upon! We ventured out the back door today to walk out on the first set planks on our deck. This is going to be awesome.

The planks are being put down with hidden fasteners, using TimberTech's CONCEALoc fastener. No screw holes on the surface!

The buzz is going on around our neighborhood. We have had many neighbors and people driving by give their compliments to the deck construction, which by the way, is being done by distinctivedesigns4you.com

We expect another five days before it is completed.

Day 9 - Prepare for planks!

The TimberTech XLM planks arrived as did the railing and balluster sets. 2x4 pieces were put in place between each joist along the perimeter of the deck to allow for extra support for fastening down the deck planks.

All of the post hole concrete footings were covered with dirt. Our minds are racing about what we are going to do with under the deck, we have a lot of space.

Day 8 - Odds and Ends

Day 8 saw some good ole mild Spring weather. The final joists were put in place and the last post was planted. Lag bolts were placed in all beams and posts. A couple kids happened to get in the concrete footings as well.

Day 7 - Snow on dem joists?

Monday, Day 7, was greeted by a flurry of snow and a light dusting on the Big Deck joists. The temperature stayed in the mid-40s all day.

The Big Deck workers began the day drilling through parts of the house's foundation for the lag bolts, which secure the deck to the house. More than 30 lag bolts were placed along almost 60 feet of ledger board along the house.

The final four 6'' x 6'' posts were placed in the ground and the joists were put in place in the area nearest the "Fun Room."

Our vision is getting clearer to the point we are thinking about deck furniture and many great days upon our new creation.

Day 5 - Sunny Saturday

Day 5 was a sunny Saturday. It was not really a work day, but one of the Big Deck workers came by around 9 a.m. and did about three hours of work placing more joists in place.

Day 4 - Posts are planted

Good Friday. It was around 35 degrees as the sun peaked over the horizon. Erik spent the beginning of the morning with the four Big Deck workers. These guys were so prepared for the day, they had a coffee maker brewing. The chill in the air soon wore off, however, and the day turned into a 70 degree, sunny day.

The family had the day off from work and school and enjoyed some of the outdoors.

Day 4 saw the posts cut and planted on the concrete-based holes, with the framework being attached to them. The hex portion of the deck took shape and some joists were placed. It is looking really great and super strong.

Day 3 - Framing and digging holes

Today the big deck frame branched out from the house, in distances of 10 to 12 feet in different locations.

The big deck builders have accessed under the house and in the basement to identify the proper way to lag bolt the deck to the house. This is a sign of the way it should be done. Our previous deck was basically screwed to the wall - that is a no-no.

More than 12, two feet diameter, three feet deep holes were dug and concrete was poured in each of them.

This deck could realistically hold the weight of a car the way it is being constructed.

Day 2 - It Rained

Day 1 - Here Comes the Big Deck

- Distinctive Designs 4 You, Inc. has been contracted!

- A 650 square foot deck, made from Timbertech XLM plank is underway.

- We have confirmation that our plumbing is hooked to the sewer system. This had to be completed to get the permit. Our city planning department did not have a record that our 60 year old house was hooked to the sewer, and then they made us pay for the plumber to come out and confirm it.

Some pink tracer dye flushed down the toliet and then look for it out in the manhole works every time. Upon confirmation, it makes me wonder if the city ever recorded any house in our neighborhood.

- The permits have been issued.

- Big Deck Day 1 has happened.

Let the nerd picture taking and Big Deck blog begin!