A good deck is essential to any great outdoor space, especially if you have a pool. Although a pool deck may seem like an impossible feat, it is far easier than you could ever imagine. The first step to any great deck is to deal with the subgrade or underlying ground upon which the pool deck is to be built. The land that the deck is being built on is just as important, if not more important, than the pool for which the deck is being built.

There are a few different reasons that a pool deck may settle and bow; the first is an unstable subgrade. In most cases, backyards have a slope to them, so they will need to be leveled prior to building. When filling in the area to make it level, you have a few different options. The first is to let the fill dirt settle. This is a great option, as it allows builders to compensate for natural leveling and eliminates the need to bring in large equipment. Another option is to bring in stone, concrete, or other premium fill materials, which is more expensive but is also much faster. After you have leveled the subgrade and gotten the ground ready, you need to consider drilling your holes.

It is essential that you first mark the holes prior to drilling them. With the proper auger attachment, a bobcat is generally large enough to drill the holes that are necessary for driving your deck posts. The auger generally only drills until it reaches virgin soil, or soil that has not been worked on before. You then need to drop in your pier forms. This is the best way to ensure that your holes do not fall in on themselves and allows you to add your piers. Piers offer a stable support system to help ensure that your deck stays stable through all settling.

After your piers have been set, you then need to fill them with concrete to help add even more stability. After you fill your piers with concrete, you can drive your posts to ensure that they are stable, level, and ready to support your pool deck. Building a deck does not have to be impossible. With the right information, anyone can build a deck that is solid, sturdy, and even beautiful.