When Life Gives you Wood

When life gives you wood... build a patio.

Seriously, was there something else on your mind with that statement?

Of course, building a patio isn't as simple as just throwing the wood down and calling it a day. It does require some planning, patience, and a lot of manual labour.

I spent the entire day today putting a patio together. I'm sure I put my steps in for the day, so this is counting as a #wednesdaywalk. Maybe #wednesdaywalkbackandforthwithwood would be more correct, but it's a mouthful. #hashtagmadness

Step 1: Clear an area

Step 2: Keep clearing it.

Really. Just keep digging, and digging, and digging. I might have enough left over sod to build a house.

It doesn't seem to ever stop, sort of like waiting for a pot to boil. Honestly, it felt like Zeno's paradox, where no matter how much I dug, and dug, and dug, there was still more to dig. It was like I never started

I hate dirt.

Step 3: Level out your newly dug large cemetary plot.

This part requires a 2x4 and... well... a 2x4. The deck needs a smooth, level foundation; otherwise the deck will not be level and will lead to bending, warping, and cracking. I was on my hands and knees for quite some time to level the ground out, which was quite a chore considering that the ground was not level to begin. I'm sure that there would have been many a woman in my past who would have liked to see me on my hands and knees. As it turns out, no one took pictures, my dignity was salvaged, and I ended up with a level plot.

Step 4: Lay the Foundation

For the foundation I used these really awesome 11 inch x 11 inch cement deck piers. They have grooves in them to place the joists. The advantage of these over digging post holes is that I don't need to dig post holes. They look something like this when placed out with the joists on them. Very cool stuff.

Step 5: Lay out all the deck piers and joists.

Step 5 may have been "stop for lunch". I honestly forget the actual course of events. I've never been so happy to see a bottle of water for lunch in my life.

Step 6: Planks!

Yes, I spent several hours planking today. 1 inch by 6 inch by 16 foot planks, in fact.

Step 7: Supper. And Beer.

And ice cream too.

I didn't get to attach the side joists to wrap it all up, yet; I plum ran out of time. And I need to go back to work tomorrow, so not sure when I'll be able to get it done. Maybe this weekend if it doesn't rain.

This is the first project of many in the back yard. A firepit will be next, along with repairing the shed and replacing the soffits. I'll probably expand the patio at some point, too, and make it more "deck like". I think it might be nice to build a "tiny house" in the back as an office, but not sure I quite want to spend that type of money for a pet project.

(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe

About Me

Amateur photographer. Wannabe author. Game designer. I dabble a little in a lot. General all around problem-solver and creative type.

Founder of Photo 52 weekly photography competition.

Expert generalist. Jack of all Trades.

Dad.

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