[KevinEF7]

Hey guys, looking to get some creative ideas for a rather large task for this summer. I just bought this very late 1800's home earlier this year, weve lived here a few months and we think the first real project we'd like to tackle is the outdoor space.

I made this video of a short walk around to give a very good idea of the property and the current construction. Basically our goal is to add a little beauty, hide some beast (utilities on side of house/current deck and side entrance steps) and make the yard a little more relaxing and private from the road.

As you can see in the video, we dont have a huge back yard, but have lots of side yard on both sides of the house (coming from the city this is lots to us) One big catch to this project is we are on a well and septic, so if we decide to resurrect any sort or deck/gazebo style structure it would have to be free floating as the current side steps and "deck" are currently, and the spot I point out in the video be somehow accessible for future septic pumping, current septic cover is simply a 12X12 paver stone with the pipe coming to ground level, it is unknown where any of the drainage/weeping bed is, but I presume I cant just go start digging very deep.

The side of the house I took the video from is where the sun shines most of the day, and it sets infront of the house, so the backyard is relatively shaded. My g/f would like some planters so Id like to incorporate those somehow, likely on the side of the house as I can put some height to those to hide the utilities like the meter, yellow gas line, and ugly side cellar window. I also would like to make the side entrance a little more appealing, it is very soft old wood as of now. The current back deck is jetted off the side corner of the house and I personally think the road noise and just looking at the road in general is a bit weird as far as placement goes.

Im curious what you guys would do with this space, possibly turn most of it into simple grass space, move the deck, what to do with the side entrance etc. Just a general brainstorm so I can make some plans and go over some options with the g/f

I appreciate any and all ideas and construction tips, I am very new to home ownership but am very handy and have no trouble with tools, making ground level, cuts square, and having good fit and finish. Thank you :vs_cool:

 

[gregzoll]

Go take a drive around your town and area. A lot of towns have historical rules, that you have to follow, so there is no way anyone can give you ideas. Also videos rarely get viewed, pictures are a lot more helpful, if you want people to see the outside.

Decks need permits, same as some towns even require permits if you are doing any kind of landscaping work, since the first thing most people damage are utilities.

Also you cannot hide the gas or other utility meters. They have to stay accessible for the utilities to get at. Otherwise they will end up either estimating your bill or charge you for removal of any items that you have covered them up with, if they have to do any kind of work. The meter and Black Iron pipe is always going to be gray. The yellow pipe is usually HDPE with a trace wire that has to stay also. If you are in a cold zone that it can freeze, the gas meter also has to be able to breath, so that it does not freeze up for the port on the manifold, along with if there is an over pressure, that relief pipe lets out any excess gas that is above the manifold set point.

 

[KevinEF7]

There are no historical rules or bylaws for my town or property. A deck does not need a permit in my area unless attached to the house or above a certain height which I believe was 24". I definitely cannot hide the meters themselves as you said they need access, but I certainly could hide the piping running along the wall going to them with a planter box, which a meter reader would have zero troubles or obstructions looking past an 18" deep planter box, or even a shrub. Im totaly open here, the short video gives a great perspective on the overall feel and lay of my property in 90seconds.

Ive got some time to plan this through, no rushing here

 

[ChuckF.]

Since it is Spring, you should first think about things that should be done in Spring, like planting of shrubs and trees and grass and resodding. You have a couple of patches of grass, decide if you are going to keep it, and patch the bad spots. That long stretch of stonework foundation on the meter side is not that nice. A row of low shrubs would hide it and not restrict access in any way.

To get privacy from the road, evergreens work well, grow fast. Find something appropriate to your zone.

Lots of dingy outdoor woodwork that could use a bleach/pressure wash and restain.

 

[gregzoll]

In my area, all decks have to have a permit and inspected, along with minimum of the footings at 36" deep.

 

[Startingover]

As weather gets nicer and spring shrubs start blooming drive around town to get ideas. Evergreens are nice as they stay green all winter along with a mixture of flowering.

I'd rather plant something in the ground than in pots at the side. Low shrubs spaced apart could allow acces for meter readers.

Visit a local nursery and they will have ideas on planting.

I like side doors that have a little roof over them. My cousin built one with lattice forming two sides and theres a clematis vine on the lattice.

Your video seems to have disappeared but it looked like you have a gravel parking area in front marked off with lumber or RR ties? I'd plant a row of evergreens where the RR ties are. From the house to the drive. Several shrubs to give privacy to the side yard behind there. That would shield your deck in back also. I couldn't tell what the wall is behind your car. That would be my priority along with planting privacy shrubs and a small tree at the other front corner of your house.

Doors look nice with 2 large pots of flowers on each side.

My septic inspector marked off my drainfield when I moved here. Not sure how he knew. He said not to plant anything within 8'.

You have a nice property. I love working in the yard and hope you enjoys yours as well.

 

[RegeSullivan]

Looks like a great property but it's hard to suggest improvements without knowing the budget, skills and time restraints are. If your budget is in the $500-$1000 range and your skill and time limited my suggestions would be completely different than what I would suggest for a $25,000 - $30,000 budget for a guy that had extensive building skills.

If it were my project I would first decide on an affordable budget and estimate how many hours I could realistically commit to the project over a acceptable period of time to complete the project.

 

[KevinEF7]

Heres a few pics, vid seems to be working for me though

You have a couple of patches of grass, decide if you are going to keep it, and patch the bad spots.

Lots of dingy outdoor woodwork that could use a bleach/pressure wash and restain.

I will definetely be doing some extensive grass "repair" on our property once we get this sorted and built, I really do appreciate nice full even looking grass

The wood work I honestly want to 100% remove, side entrance landing, back deck, and the fence surrounding it, it is in poor shape with lots of soft boards and rusty nails

Looks like a great property but it's hard to suggest improvements without knowing the budget, skills and time restraints are.

I honestly am not constrained to a budget, as we have disposable income after buying this little house, but I dont think I would need to spend over $3000 to build a floating deck, side entrance landing, some planters and some landscaping, but if $5000 were to get me something 10X more impressive or durable, Id be very open to suggestions, I dont forsee any large costs in this other than PT lumber and shrubs can definitely add up I suppose

I can definetely handle all the woodwork myself, not going to call myself an expert by any means, but I have the neccesary tools to make wood projects like this happen, coming up with an idea and not just going to home depot and buying a ton of wood and seeing what I can do with it is my issue, Ive never built a floating deck so dont have much for ideas on how to improve the current design. I work 40 hours a week but I work night shift so I can work on projects every day a few hours, and say 20 hours on weekends, no kids, lots of free time.

My idea as of now is to simply remove all the wood you currently see, I think that would open up the backyard alot having removing the current "deck" since there would be some grass from the house to the driveway, and build a floating deck directly behind the house, the entire width of the house but not past the sides, it could be 2 levels, a small landing right as you step out the back door, and then a slighty raised area where the bbq is pictured and underneath that back small window. My concern would be how deep into the yard do I go, as to not get to close to the firepit??

A new side entrance landing I really have no ideas for how to improve that, aside from copying it and rebuilding it from new wood...

Thanks for the help I appreciate it alot

 

[RegeSullivan]

With good skills or willingness to learn and no real time or budget constraints this would be my approach...

Start by figuring out the drainage problem that is killing the grass and what is causing the concrete/blocks to crumble on the back of the house (bottom right of house) and repair that. Hopefully it is something simple like moving discharge from the rain conductors away from the house. What ever it is I'd fix that first.

Clear out all the wood landscape timbers on the lawn and around the parking areas, remove the existing decks, fence/railings, shrubbery and any trash/junk stored outdoors. so you have a clean slate and get a good sense of the space.

Grade the lot so water drains properly and it is pleasing to any planed decks/patio's and parking area. Plant appropriate low maintenance foundation plantings to cover the gas line, utilities and take some focus away from the window well. Put low foundation plantings on the opposit side of the house to soften the look where the house meets the ground. At this point I would plant rye grass or some other inexpensive grass to keep the mud under control and let the newly graded soil settle.

Not a fan of wood decks, wood is to much upkeep without a roof and because I don't like that splintery-silver grey old wood I would go stone/blocks and pavers for the stoop and any where you plan a deck. I would keep it in the back of the house for privacy and incorporate a really nice fire pit going with stone and pavers. I would keep the patio/fire pit behind the house. Keep it small so it is comfortable for 4-6 people with the the idea a larger gathering would use the lawn area.

I would also do the parking area and any walks with pavers bordered in stone/blocks that match the patio area to tie everything together.

Once the major plantings are in, big projects completed and walks installed level off any spots in the lawn that have settled and put in a nice thick Kentucky Bluegrass lawn. If you have any areas where the rye was crushed or trampled you might consider the plastic "live" pavers like True Grid or what ever is available in your area.

 

[craig11152]

just a curiosity question....is there any chance you would tie in to a city sewer system in the near future?

 

[craig11152]

Another curiosity question.....
where were you when you jacked that car from 80 to 180KPH in 8 seconds? :vs_karate:?

 

[dd57chevy]

A couple of things jump out at me :

1. That patio door area with the funky deck diagonal to the house is just wrong . The area out side your P/door screams PATIO ! It wasn't clear in your video where exactly your septic access is , but you can make that work . Removable stone , steel cover ....?

2. It looks like your back yard was a high traffic area . After planning* , I'd till/plow in some compost & re-seed lawn .

* Planning a large lot requires some skill & you need to consider some things .
Even if you're young & hyper now :biggrin2: there will come a day when you will want a riding mower . I can't give you exact planting & design locations/layout from here in Iowa , but some general rules are :

1. Locate as precisely as possible your service/utility locations .

2. Where possible , plant trees/shrubs/garden beds to accommodate THE RIDING MOWER ! Many people plant things randomly & spend years mowing AROUND them ! Each mowing is literally an obstacle course run !

 

[KevinEF7]

Appreciate the info gents, there is no chance of the city running water out here, Ive talked to a few neighbours who are very involved in the community and they say there is no chance (or garbage pickup which is a pain aswell currently). The racing was done in mexico ofcourse

The dead grass behind the house is from us moving dirt around just as we moved in, there was piles against the house and poor grading so we moved about 3 years from the back/side and into the front right near the parking pad as there was a large sunken area there for some reason, the grass will come back.

Im curious if there is any limiting factors when using a "floating" deck design that doesnt have footings. If it should only be so big, so heavy, so close to the house etc. As Im assuming the ground is going to move with the frost.

I never even thought of moving the fire pit, I dont see why I couldnt now that I think of it, I personally am not a fan of the rectangle and would prefer a circle

 

[KevinEF7]

Would walls be out of the question with a floating deck? Since there are no posts in the ground, the support columns would only be attached to the 7.5" of the joists, would that be enough? Was thinking of having privacy lattice on one side or as an L but wasnt sure if it would have enough support

 

[KevinEF7]

Hoping to drum up a little interest in the design/ideas for this

 

[123pugsy]

Google patios, decks, hit images, and ideas will flow....:wink2:

If it were me, I would install a patio rather than a deck in the back as the ground is so close to the door. Go straight out as mentioned earlier. A small retaining wall at the driveway side of the patio.

Or if you decide on a deck, just make sure it's big enough:

 

[KevinEF7]

The only issue im having is the lack of info on building specifically on the floating concrete stones, what they can handle etc. I think i have good ideas for the back of the house,

Its the side entrance i dont know how to make more appealing visually, again on the floating concrete pads

 

[lenaitch]

Congrats on your new house. Neat looking starter - it doesn't look that old at first glance until you see the stone foundation (which I like the look of). Several thoughts in no particular order:

Your first priority should be anything that needs to be done to the bones of the house; shingles, water seepage, etc. Outside will always be there.

I think you'll have to do the best you can with the visible utilities while still making them accessible. Remember - every utility or creature comfort was tacked onto that house long after it was built. You Health Unit should have a copy of the septic permit which will have a map of the tank location and tile bed. They should also have a copy of the well permit (you really should have received them as part of your purchase package). Unless you know it was done recently, I would have the tank pumped.

As much as you want to 'git at 'er', I would wait a full season to see what type of daylight and drainage patterns you have inherited and to just get a feel for what you have bought. For example, you might need more shade tolerant grass, and the light patterns in the different seasons and soil may impact what bushes/flowers you plant. A local nursery can help with planting zone, etc. It looks like you've got a good drainage runout to the off-driveway side.

With the house being so close to the ground at the back, I'd go with a patio rather than a deck. I'd also go with built-up landscaping stone 'porch' for the side door. Much care and back-breaking work to establish a proper and stable base (or pay somebody to do it). If you decide to go with a deck, double check with your municipality. Even if they don't require a permit for floating decks they might have limitations on size. A floating deck should be built to the same standards as a fixed deck. I would assume the number of deck blocks you would need should be governed by the span specs for the framing. Depending on your soil and drainage you may or may not get seasonal movement.

I'd either loose or replace the edging timbers. I couldn't tell if they are old railway ties (very difficult to work with and they are used when you get them).

 

[KevinEF7]

Thanks for the information, we got lucky as the bones of the house are in extremely good shape, new well done pex plumbing throughout, new copper wiring and breaker panel, new shingles on the entire house just before we moved in, the septic was pumped the day before we moved in aswell. The only drainage issue that needs addressed is that tan downspout extension I have across the side lawn, alot of water comes out of that downspout so I would like to bury a pvc pipe and run it to the driveway and have a "pop-up" exit instead of the ugly extension I have on there right now.

Im really interested in ideas for the side entrance, the patio stones leading up to it are also very small I would like something more solid and pronounced as a walkway upto the side entrance, I will have to design that into whatever design of a side entrance that I go with, Ill go google built up landscaping stone porch for some ideas

 

[lenaitch]

Good for you on all the upgrades to the bones. An improved paver/landscape stone walkway leading up to a stone side porch would tie in nicely.

You don't have a lot of options with that downspout - it's kinda stranded. If you run the downspout out to the driveway, if it sees a lot of runoff you may end up having a lot of erosion in the driveway (it happened to my daughter and we had to do a lot of re-routing). Depending what's on the far side of your driveway, if you have slope you could trench a line under it. In Ontario you're not permitted to direct runoff onto a neighbour's property (besides, it's not neighbourly). To trench to the road would be a TON of work. Sorry, I have no experience with pop-ups.