Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
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08-06-2009, 10:16 PM
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#1 |
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Damn Skippy
Trade: You can completely control your attitude...if you.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA State
Posts: 2,784
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Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
I was always taught only slope a deck if it is going to have an impervious surface applied to it. Otherwise, all decks (with planks) shall be level.
I am replacing water damaged and rotten rimboard on a home and the home owner has a deck attached at the back with about 2" over 12' slope (away from the house). I asked him what was up and he said he built the deck and the book he used said all decks should have some slope. I told him my understanding of decks - but it sometimes is hard to argue with a book. I say this is bad intel from this book. Am I loco or should I stand my ground and keep on building level decks? What say the deck masters? |
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08-06-2009, 10:25 PM
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#2 |
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Pro
Trade: Deck Builder
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Austin, Tx.
Posts: 2,302
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
I've built a lot of decks, to best of my knowledge all were built level.
There is a lot of bad information in those "how to" books. Last edited by deckman22; 08-06-2009 at 10:30 PM. |
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08-06-2009, 10:26 PM
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#3 |
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Sean
 
Trade: In Between Titles
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 5,007
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
I have always thought that a slight slope was good to prevent ponding and to help keep water away from the house - I may get smacked for this, but thats how I generally build them
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08-06-2009, 10:30 PM
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#4 |
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Pro
Trade: Framing Contractor
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Caldwell, New Jersey
Posts: 1,568
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
I've never once sloped a deck before. There's spaces in between every board for water to go. Only time to slope a deck is on the front porch with t&g.
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Joe Carola |
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| The Following User Says Thank You to Joe Carola For This Useful Post: | Greg Di (08-06-2009) |
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08-06-2009, 10:34 PM
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#5 |
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Pro
Trade: Carpentry / Fencing / Decks
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Savannah, Ga
Posts: 1,249
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
Only slope a deck that is getting waterproofed on the top, otherwise level.
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www.ParkerFenceandDeck.com |
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08-06-2009, 10:45 PM
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#6 |
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Pro
Trade: Deck Builder
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Austin, Tx.
Posts: 2,302
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
The only decks I've seen that were built with a slope were ones on apartments that had lightweight concrete poured on second story decks. I did tear down a res. deck once that was also built on a slope, it was concrete with indoor/outdoor carpet glued to it. The framer notched his joist where they set on a beam to create the fall, not realizing his beam was all ready too low. It had about a 2" fall on a narrow 5' balcony deck, it would give most folks an uncomfortable feeling up on the 3rd story level.
A slope is for concrete only, not a deck with typical wood/composite decking. Properly flashed a level deck will not leak. |
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08-06-2009, 10:48 PM
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#7 |
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Pro
Trade: General Contractor, Remodeler
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Eugene, OR.
Posts: 825
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
If ledgered, I like to slope the joists a bit away from the house, if free standing I don't think it matters much.
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now i am scared for my future i've got all ten smashed a lot of them stupidly before -john5mt |
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08-06-2009, 10:50 PM
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#8 | |
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Pro
Trade: Deck Builder
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Austin, Tx.
Posts: 2,302
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?Quote:
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08-06-2009, 10:51 PM
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#9 |
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Curmudgeon
Trade: carpentry/remodeling/"Yes M'am we do"
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Beech Grove, Indiana, Birthplace of the "King of Cool"
Posts: 11,706
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
I only slope a porch.
If it makes him happy, what can it hurt? 
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Put your location in your profile! (Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions) |
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08-06-2009, 11:02 PM
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#10 |
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Workin' Hard & Havin' Fun
 
Trade: Deck Designer/Builder
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Reading, PA
Posts: 1,763
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
I prefer level.
Think of the railing and stair issues from a slope... but that's just me. ~Matt |
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08-06-2009, 11:04 PM
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#11 |
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The Deck Guy
Trade: Outdoor Design & Construction
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 3,126
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
Matt's right.
Ever see a the side of typical porch? The railings look weird because of the slope. Decks should be level.
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Your source for: BergenDECKS.com ::: Decks • Porches • Railings • Pergolas in Bergen County New Jersey Remodeling and Home Improvements in Bergen County | EPA Approved Lead-Safe Contractor Techno Metal Post ::: Residential, Commercial and Industrial Helical foundation piles Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube |
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08-07-2009, 12:07 AM
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#12 |
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Pro
Trade: Custom deck builder
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 7,448
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
I have done both ways and still do both ways but if we slope the deck it might be 1/2" in 12' nothing you will see. Most of the time we build level... I am not sure why sometimes I feel like putting a little slope to it but when I feel like it I do it. I have learned years ago to trust my gut...
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Robert Shaw Colorado Springs Custom Decks Colorado Custom Decks Custom Homes Colorado |
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08-07-2009, 12:08 AM
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#13 |
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Pro
Trade: Carpentry Contractor
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: California
Posts: 2,842
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
If I attach to the house, I put the slightest slope I can, 1/8" per 6'. What the hell, it can't hurt. If it is freestanding, I build them perfectly level
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08-07-2009, 12:35 AM
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#14 |
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I eat sawdust.
Trade: Deck Design/Build
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,975
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
Even if attached to the house, if it is flashed well, what are you worried about.
I'm not as experienced as most guys, but I'll chime in anyway. I don't slope unless it's waterproof. In general "How-to" books are full of (censored). However, just like anything you read you should always consider who wrote the book and what sources they used when processing the information it contains.
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Ryan Last edited by Winchester; 08-07-2009 at 12:46 AM. |
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08-07-2009, 01:18 AM
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#15 | |
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Sean
Trade: In Between Titles
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Naperville, IL
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?Quote:
As an FYI, as I stated above a slight slope - not 2" in 12' - that's just ridiculous |
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08-07-2009, 02:13 AM
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#16 | ||
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I eat sawdust.
Trade: Deck Design/Build
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,975
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?Quote:
Quote:
 Whether I think it's necessary or not doesn't mean I'm right. Just my opinion and it's not based on field tests or research. Anyway, g'night folks.
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Ryan Last edited by Winchester; 08-07-2009 at 02:19 AM. |
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08-07-2009, 02:16 AM
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#17 |
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I eat sawdust.
Trade: Deck Design/Build
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,975
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
how did I double post...
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Ryan |
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08-07-2009, 05:12 AM
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#18 |
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KemoSabe
Trade: residential framing/siding/general carpentry
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vineland, New Jersey
Posts: 14,147
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
I built homes along the coast for twenty+ years and realized after a few years that shrinkage of the framing lumber would actually cause a level deck to pitch backwards over time. Anyone who has seen vinyl siding unlock at the floor line understands the concept. We decided at that point that all decks would get at least 1/2" of pitch per 8" of deck. We were framing with GRN lumber through the 80s and most of the 90s, before a fungus problem prompted a switch to S-dry lumber.
Perrsonally, I believe that everything possible should be done to get water away from the wall assembly. 
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08-07-2009, 05:19 AM
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#19 | |
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I eat sawdust.
Trade: Deck Design/Build
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,975
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?Quote:
I basically never get any jobs on new construction stuff, but this is good to keep in mind for when it does happen.
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Ryan |
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08-07-2009, 06:36 AM
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#20 |
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Pro
Trade: Construction Assistant Superintendant/Remodeler
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Jacksonville, Fl
Posts: 1,154
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Re: Slope A Deck Or A Level Deck?
Wow interesting how something like this has good points on either side. I think when it comes to carpentry we were all taught plumb and level as the gospel truth in most everything we build so it just seems un natural to make something out of level on purpose.
I was told sloping the deck as the above examples said like a ˝” in a 12’ run was to prevent ponding and help with run off. If you do it to PT knowing every few years you’re re water proofing it I guess it would come natural when using composite. Maybe the concept or misconception (depending how you view it) started with concrete and the t & g of old where it was needed and it just carried over to spaced decking and most just never question the rationale. I’ve done nowhere NEAR the amount of decks Ya’ll have done so my method or reasoning might be wrong.
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