Erecting the Pool Access Deck Phase Two
Phase two of
"The Tiki Bar" included the
installation of a 10 x 8' Pool Access Deck and stairs to facilitate
access to the pool area but only via a self locking door to keep the
kiddies out of harms way. We have moved the access area to
separate it from The Tiki Bar. Damn wood is too frickin
expensive!! Just the wood and materials for the deck was about $600.00
and the labor coming from The Captain himself. I downloaded the
plans for FREE from www.deckplans.com
I plan on continuing the deck around the entire pool. The deck
surround is built in sections about 3ft wide so I can add them one at
a time as I can afford them or from scraps I can find.
This deck was built in
part, thanks to help from my loving wife of 18 years.
The best thing I did in my life was marrying
Tammy. She is my love, my best friend and the best person
I know. We celebrated our 18 year wedding anniversary by
putting up a deck and eating at The Olive Garden! How could you ask for a better wife???
If you did, you would be a idiot.
It took about 2 weeks
to complete this phase of the project since most of it was done by
myself. I did the major parts on the weekend and the smaller parts
after work each day. The entire project is screwed together so this
baby is not going anywhere.
Super thanks go out to the guy that
pulled over and helped me get the lumber out of the highway and
back into my truck. I hope he wins the lottery, guy did
not have shoes on, but did not hesitated to jump out and help me.
Never gave me his name, God Bless You!
Also thanks go out to "Dusty"
Lewis from www.draservicesinc.com for providing the transportation of the
lumber for this project.
Photos of the Construction Process of the
Pool Access Deck
(Click for larger versions
of the thumbnails)
In the beginning there
was a large pile of unused sod that was removed to build the pool.
Back to the shovel I go moving this sod again. Did I mention
before that shoveling SUCKS?
The
Dek Block blocks are in
place and leveled. The basic frame for the deck is assembled with
a width of just under 10'. Those front supports don't look to
"supportive".
The access deck will connect to the
back of my existing deck. I will be cutting a section out of the
right rear corner so I can add steps down to a walkway that leads
to stairs to the access deck.
The deck is beginning to shape up.
The pool side section has been completed and cross bracing
installed. The rear support assembly is coming along nicely as
well.
Ahh the top framing has been
installed and toe nailed to the supports. Next I will have to add
the center supports. Shouts out to "The Wife" for helping me get
everything plumb and connected.
The deck is starting to emerge now,
taking shape a bit. Much sturdier now, should be like a rock
once it is completed. I also plan to strap down the deck with some
mobile home anchors in case of high winds.
The deck is sturdy as hell now that
all the cross bracing has been installed. I think I will use the
space under the deck to store my pool cleaning equipment.
The framing and cross supports have
been completed and now all that is left is securing the decking,
building the handrails, installing the stairs and installing the
lattice around the bottom of the deck.
I would like to continue the lower
deck around to the end of my larger deck where The Tiki Bar
itself will be built. Cannot wait till I start construction on
the bar. The decks will be trimmed with rope lights for
night time navigation.
The access deck will connect to the
existing deck via a small deck and walkway that I am building
from the leftover lumber I have from this project and my last
deck project. I hate walking in the grass to get to the pool
area.
Here is a wide shot to give you an
idea of the length of the runway. You can also see our existing
deck on the right. The Tiki Bar itself is going to be on
the other side of the original deck.
We cut out a section
of the railing around our existing deck to give
access to the Pool Deck. The runway is about 4 feet
wide and will have a railing on the right side.
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I was able to mount some T shaped
racks to the bottom of the deck rafters, which made
a great spot to hide my pool cleaning tools.
I think the lattice added to the
bottom of the access deck gave it a more finished look and hides
the supports and my pool cleaning tools I put underneath it
Ahh the access deck is finished.
All I have left to do is attach the pool ladder to the deck.
Waiting on a conversion kit that changes it into a deck ladder
instead of a A Frame ladder.
Well the ladder has
been converted and mounted to the deck. Make
sure that you use ALL STAINLESS STEEL FASTENERS when
you attach one or they will quickly corrode away.
This ladder works
SO MUCH BETTER than the A Frame Style. It was always wanting to
fall over to one side or the other. Now it is rock solid and
ready for our patrons. I will be adding a gate this week to keep
out the toddlers and small kids that visit with their parents.
