Code Enforcement: Safety or Corruption?

Couple builds a pool deck and then is fined $5000.

I've written before that when building a deck around your pool you'll need to follow local building codes.

That said, I write that not out of love for all codes or building inspectors but instead out of genuine concern for your safety - and especially your wallet - because some local governments crack down hard on people who circumvent their local permit system.

With that in mind, take a look at this story out of Chicago's Daily Herald where a couple was fined $5000 for building a above ground pool deck without acquiring a permit.

Even more interesting are the reader's comments. Many are calling the village inspection department corrupt and incompetent. Others would make my libertarian friends proud by questioning the governments role in "pool deck safety".

Without passing any moral judgment on this one case or the people involved, my own general opinion on codes and inspectors is this...

If they're going to exist at all it should only be for safety reasons and not design preferences. And of course inspectors should be competent and honest. But back in the real world, some are incompetent and dishonest.

Also, codes should not be used as a system where you are forced to pay tribute to a local government just for "the right" to build a pool deck or help the government "raise revenue". And any "penalties" for "non-compliance" should not be draconian.

If someone builds an ugly deck, then they'll pay for it later when they try to sell their home. That's penalty enough.

What do you think?

Enjoy your pool! If you can.

Regards,

Paul Ottaviano

Createyourdeck.com - How to build a swimming pool deck

How to Build Your Deck with Rental Tools

Rent the Tools You'll Need Only Once

When I was in college I worked for a small home improvement chain in La Habra, CA. After my "breaking in period" I was assigned to the tool rental desk.

At the time, I didn't know much about the tools we rented. That said, there wasn't a huge inventory of tools to rent and most of our customers knew what they were looking for anyway.

Many of the people who rented tools were either contractors or DIY'ers with at least a little bit of experience. Many of them had stories about how they bought new tools for one particular project only to never use that tool again. Now that I think about it that was their way of saying, "I'm your rental customer. Don't try to sell me something I don't want to keep and I'll probably be back."

Tool rental is really a great service and I highly recommend that you look into it for your above ground swimming pool deck project.

It's great for contractors because they'll likely spend less on tools they don't need regularly and hopefully they'll pass those cost savings on to you.

If you're building a deck for your pool, then renting tools you'll only need for that project is a obvious money saver.

For example, you probably won't need to buy excavation equipment or an hydraulic jack. So rent those if you need them.

The best thing to do when planning your above ground swimming pool deck is to make a list of all the tools you'll need, and also what you might need.

Then take inventory of what you already own and what you can borrow from a friend or neighbor.

It may feel awkward to ask a friend to borrow a tool, but it could save you some money. And who knows? Maybe your friend will want to help out with the construction. A long shot, but you never know until you ask.

Next, think about any other DIY projects you might do in the future. Will you need a new tool for that project as well? Then perhaps it makes sense to go ahead and buy it.

If you don't plan on doing another project in the near future or it won't require a specific tool you don't already have, then rent that tool instead.

Renting tools should be easy. Most reputable home improvement centers should offer the service.

As always, enjoy your pool!

Regards,

Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build a Deck for an Above Ground Pool

Venice: Is there anything you can learn from it?

I just returned from a two week tour of Italy.

I didn't see any above ground pool decks, or any decks really, while driving around the countryside and catching a glimpse of Italian towns.

Then again, I spent most of my time in coastal towns and cities like Rome or Florence. Locals may or may not agree, but a city like Florence doesn't need much "improvement" in my opinion.

Also, from what I could tell it seems like many Italians live in apartments so naturally there would be little reason for people to add something like a pool deck. Now that I think about it, I didn't see that many residential swimming pools at all.

"Ah, Venice."

One of the cities I visited was Venice. There is no other place like it in the world. If you like art and architecture then it's a city you must visit at least once.

If you're a DIY'er who loves to analyze the contours of a bridge, the craftsmanship that went into a door, or the artistry that goes into a marble floor or column then Venice, like the rest of Italy, would strike you as a marvel.

People say one of the best things to do in Venice is to "just get lost". Pick a side street or alley and just wander. Go and see what you stumble across. I did this.

As wonderful as the city is, while I was wandering I couldn't help but notice the problems Venice is having with its buildings.

As you probably know, Venice is a very old city. Most of our American cities are babies by comparison. Many of the buildings and homes in Venice were built hundreds of years ago. One person told us that his walls were a thousand years old.

The city was built on a swampy archipelago, 118 islands if my information is correct. And now after centuries of use the buildings are sinking.

Water levels appear to be rising but this strikes me as more of an illusion because some old homes along the canals - and I mean old - are teetering. Towers are leaning not unlike the one in Pisa. I looked closely at the water line and water is seeping underneath first-floor doorways in some places.

But Venice is still standing and the people who live there appear happy as they move about on their boats, water taxi's, and water buses. Unfortunately though, power boats are part of the problem.

Visitors from around the world still want to go there and their tourist dollar is still welcome in most areas, even if locals complain about trying to "get their city back".

How long can Venice stand? I don't know. I hope it stands forever but based on what I saw that's not a realistic possibility.

Across the city skyline I could see many cranes. When I asked what was going on, the answer I got was that they're installing some sort of "metal plates" along the canals that will hopefully help control water levels.

I don't know much about that sort of engineering or Venice's foundations, but I was immediately skeptical of this plan. It seems to me that the mother of all levee projects might be necessary to save a city like Venice.

They are installing floodgates at each of the three major inlets. A controversial project costing an estimated $6 billion Venetian planners are hoping this prevents flooding when tides rise. But there is still the issue of their soft, swamp like soil and how some buildings are just sinking.

What can you learn from this?

The most obvious lesson to be learned is to only build on good soil. The last thing you want to do is build a pool deck and then watch it sink or lean over the years because of weak soil or erosion.

That said, your pool deck won't be as heavy as a Venetian home but depending on where you live the soil might be something you'll need to consider.

As always, enjoy your pool!

Regards,

Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build a Deck Around Your Pool

Upcoming Home Show Schedule

Thanks to Deckenquirer.com for the head's up.

Hamptons Home & Garden Show | June 5 -7 | General Admission $10
Southampton Elks Lodge Fairgrounds | Free Parking | Pet Friendly
200+ Displays | Under 14 Free

Pima Home & Garden Show | Pima County Fairgrounds | June 5 -7
AZ Greentop Landscape $12,000 giveaway | online $2 off coupon
Admission $7, 16 under free

Reno Home Flower & Garden Show | June 13 -14 | Free Admission
Reno-Sparks Convention Center | Parking $7

33rd Home Remodeling & Redecorating Show | June 27 - 28
L.A. Convention Center | Free coupons online

Create Your Own Wraparound Deck

I'm going to cover a familiar sounding theme but one that is crucial if you're going to build a solid deck around your above ground pool. And that is planning.

I'm sometimes asked to look at a persons pool deck plans and comment on the design. This is a difficult thing to do unless I'm looking at a persons backyard and learning more about what they really want out of the deck.

So I usually ask, "why are you building an above ground pool deck?"

The answer for many people, and perhaps this is true of yourself, is common...

• You just want a simple deck that will make the yard and above ground pool look better.
  

• You want a basic deck so you can watch your kids swim without having to stand on your toes.
  

In other words, many of you just a have a basic need for an above ground pool deck and you want it built relatively quickly so you can enjoy it during the summer, or at least before the summer is over.

If this describes you then I recommend you build a wraparound pool deck on a floating foundation.

This is a common deck that is regarded by many as the easiest to plan and build. It fits around most oval above ground pools and does not require digging for post holes.

It's the deck we use for the step-by-step construction chapter of our eBook How to Build a Pool Deck.

If simplicity is what you want, then a wraparound deck on a floating foundation is the one for you and it will look great too.

As always, enjoy your pool!

Regards,

Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com

Time to Work On Your Pool Deck Plans

It's mid-April and we're quickly approaching that time of year when the weather will be accomdating to your above ground pool deck project.

If you've already decided on the key elements of your pool deck design... decking, railings, etc., then now is a good time to start putting your plans on paper.

You'll need pool deck plans drawn in order to get a permit from your local building department. If you don't know what is required visit your building department before drawing any plans.

You might also find sample deck plans at your local building department.

Local building departments will sometimes refer to each required deck drawing using slightly different names. But there are generally four plans that you'll need to submit for approval.

1. The Site Plan or Site Map

2. The Plan View or Plan Drawing

3. Elevation Plan

4. The Master Plan or Detail Drawing

It may be best for you to go in that order. But, you may discover that drawing your plan view or elevation after drawing your master plan is the easier way to go.

Just make sure that you're giving the local building department what's required and that you have a workable, and safe, above ground pool deck blueprint before starting construction.

It's almost that time of year!

As always, enjoy your pool!

Regards,

Paul Ottaviano
CreateYourDeck.com

P.S. - Click on the link for more on above ground pool deck blueprints and plan drawings.

Pool Deck Decoration Ideas

Some of you may already have above ground pool decks and are eagerly awaiting the fast approaching summer for a chance to use it.

That said, some of you may be building an above ground pool deck and you're planning on getting it done with enough time left this summer to enjoy it.

Either way, you'll likely want to add decorations to your pool deck that:

• Reflects your personal style

• Aesthetically blends with your home or indoor rooms
  

• Makes your pool deck a place where people want to be

Let's take the first point, you spent a considerable amount of time and money when building a deck around your pool. Decorations that reflect your personal style - or represents your family's tastes - is like your signature. It will say a lot about you. So have fun with it and make it look good.

Here are just a couple ideas that I'll throw out there... but the only real limit is your imagination...

• Do you collect antiques?
  

If so, maybe take some of your cheaper items that won't rust and include them around your pool deck for a nostalgic feel.

• Are you a gardener?

Then consider adding some plants around the perimeter of the deck. Succulents could work for you... just be careful not to splash chlorinated pool water on any plants you might use.

• Are you an outdoor enthusiast?

Remember, it's your personal style we're talking about here. Have fun with it.

That said, I'm not a landscape designer or art director. So I'll just suggest that you write down all the things that you and your family take great interest or passion in... then tinker and experiment with the details... and then go with what looks good and feels right to you.

Now let's take the second point from the first list above.

If you want a decoration that is compatible with your indoor rooms then find similar items for both places.

It's good to have your pool deck admired from the house and your home admired from your pool deck. If this is a priority for you, then compatibility and continuity in style for both places is important here.

One more thing to remember...

Any decorative item that you choose to include with your above ground pool deck must be safe and securely fastened or weighted down.

As always, enjoy your pool.

Best,

Paul Ottaviano
How to Build a Swimming Pool Deck