Low deck with excavation, how to retain soil and not have gap to deck

**nath180** · 3rd Apr 2016, 07:02 PM

I'm about to excavate some soil, to allow a 25cm clearance in order to build a low deck. The ground slopes off at the opposite end of the deck, with minimal excavation. The finished level of the deck will sit higher than the original ground level. Photos attached show the site (deck height will be just below gas pipe), and a mock up of A) the excavation and B) the height of the deck and where I'd like it to finish.

My question is on retaining the soil from the excavation, and how to plan the design of the deck to be able to finish close to the retainer without having a gap down to the new lower level. I'm thinking a timber sleeper would be good enough to hold the soil, a little lost however how to run the joists/bearer to enable a good finish.

At this stage I'm planning to run the bearers and joists in line due to the limited height available - unless an inline setup prevents me from getting the deck close in which case I'll run 90x45 joists over 2/90x45 bearers.

Have searched for other threads, but have not come across anything specific.

Thanks in advance

**bruli** · 3rd May 2016, 04:33 PM

I am facing the similar situation on building my deck. I have done an excavation and planned to build retaining wall around the site underneath the deck. the site currently is 400mm lower than the highest point of outside ground. I am going to use 140mm bearers and 90 mm joints. The sleepers will be set under joints, so joints are going to overhang above the outside ground.

My main concern now is the site is the lowest point of the yard, surface water will stream into it and it is after recent rain. how to properly drain the surface water? My deck is also under cover.

**nath180** · 25th May 2016, 10:18 PM

Bruli - I ended up using timber sleepers, measuring 3-4cms above the highest point of ground for the top of the sleeper. Retained them in using concrete and metal stakes.

My ground fortunately slopes away from the house and down hill slightly, so any water will run straight out underneath. I'll also put some sleepers under the colourbond fence to divert the water away.

I lucked out and my joists also just run over the top of the sleepers. Good luck.

**Marc** · 26th May 2016, 07:09 AM

Mm ... I never noticed your post. Sleepers as retaining wall in a point that is so inaccessible is not ideal but anyway you have already done it. Perhaps you can call a pest control dude and have them treat the back soil with a barrier for termites.
Build your bearer along the retaining wall but not too close and let the joist cantilever over the bearer and the retaining wall. Depending on the size of the joist you can go 300 mm or more.

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Low deck with excavation, how to retain soil and not have gap to deck

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