We got quite a bit accomplished with the deck over the long holiday weekend, though, not quite as much as I would have liked. I'm notorious for underestimating the time it takes to do a home improvement project. This is why I would make out to be a terrible contractor. I would underbid labor every time.
As much as I love undoing something, I undid my stair construction, disconnected all my stringers trimmed off the extra 1 1/2", and reinstalled all of them. I was planning on finishing that set of stairs last night, but I broke my last driver bit. Speaking of which, the Irwin impact driver bits I bought are great. I commend them despite the fact that I have made my way through all four that I bought (broke 3, lost 1). I've been pretty abusive with them and they have all performed wonderfully until my abuse finally became too much for them, to no real fault of their own. Like anything, they have a lifespan, but a very long one, comparatively speaking.
I really like how the decking looks with the custom "tree-shaped" hole, especially with all the herringbone pattern lines of connection radiating outward from it. For the record, because everyone feels the need to warn us of tree growth, the joists are 6-8 inches away from the tree. The closest deck boards are actually being held up by false joists that are connected to the adjacent deck boards. Therefore, when the tree finally reaches the deck boards in a few years, they can easily be pulled up by removing a few screws, trimmed, and put back down for several more years of enjoyment. It shouldn't become an issue with the joists for 15 years at the very minimum.
Tonight, I plan to finish the stairs to the back yard and get the small staircase towards the front yard finished, as well. I don't believe that this is underestimation at work here. But, only time will tell. After that? Privacy wall and deck rails.
Here's a quick link to the next deck update blog.
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