[wolfmanyoda]

We had a slab poured for our addition 6-7 years ago and all around it there is this extra concrete. I'd like to add a deck but I need to place posts next to the house.
Is it safe to bust off this extra concrete, or could it possibly crack through the foundation if I do that?

It gets to be a few inches thick in places.

Thanks.

 

[joecaption]

I'd make a cut first with my 4-1/2 right angle grinder with a diamond wheel.
If you make this a free standing deck as you should the post does not need to be up against the slab and the framing is cantilevered to get you closer to the wall. (never have the rim joist or decking tight to the siding to allow for drainage)
https://www.google.com/search?q=fre...MAhVLGR4KHYWuDQQQsAQINA#imgrc=r4N4mQzQo6h5YM:

 

[Olcrazy1]

I agree.no reason to cut it. Drill your post holes after the concrete and cataloger the joists to about an inch from the house. Why make more work for yourself than needed?

 

[de-nagorg]

Cataloger? :confused1::confused1:

 

[Olcrazy1]

Cataloger? :confused1::confused1:

Supposed to be cantilever. Auto type and I didn't realize it before hitting send. thanks for being the Internet police

 

[wolfmanyoda]

I'd make a cut first with my 4-1/2 right angle grinder with a diamond wheel.
If you make this a free standing deck as you should the post does not need to be up against the slab and the framing is cantilevered to get you closer to the wall. (never have the rim joist or decking tight to the siding to allow for drainage)

It will be freestanding but it will be on grade so I won't be able to cantilever joists over the beams. There won't be beams. And my local building inspector told me that since it's on-grade freestanding to just build it right on the ground and save myself the trouble of posts at all.

I don't like that idea, I'm in Indiana and we have a 36" frost line. Would it be ok to slide that first row of posts out a foot? Since the building inspector already thinks they are overkill I don't think he would complain.

 

[ZTMAN]

I would put posts in , as you suggest, and Cataloger the joists as Crazy suggests. OOOPS gots to go the internet cops are here

 

[spaceman spif]

I agree with Joe above, use a grinding wheel and cut through it as much as you can.

Another option is to catologerize it with a frim-standing hyper entabulator. But personally I would use the grinding wheel.

 

[joecaption]

An on grade wooden deck is never a good idea for several reasons.
There is no direct ground contact 2 X's.
There's not going to be any air flow under it to dry it out and it's going to rot out in a few years.
Why not just build a slab porch?

 

[wolfmanyoda]

I was all for a concrete porch but was over-ruled.

 

[ront02769]

Alternative opinion. To me that is nothing more than snots that ran over the forms at the edge of the slab so just bust them off.....starting at the outside and working in....hopefully five minutes work. Ron

 

[kwikfishron]

I was all for a concrete porch but was over-ruled.

Have you considered Pavers? All kinds of cool design options.

 

[joecaption]

Ever heard of stamped concrete?
https://www.google.com/search?q=sta...X&ved=0ahUKEwiFnpTj08bMAhVlLMAKHfj4CUgQsAQIIQ

 

[wolfmanyoda]

This *discussion* has gone on for about 3 years at home. My first choice was stamped concrete and then pavers. There are so many possibilities between those two.
Wife was dead set on wood.
Our french doors will allow me to raise the joists off of the ground but it will only be a couple of inches. Not sure if that's enough air flow but that's what we have.
If it rots out in 5-10 years then I'll be fine with that because the next one will my decision.

 

[Fix'n it]

If it rots out in 5-10 years then I'll be fine with that because the next one will my decision.

that is how to look at it.

i wouldn't bother with that concrete. just go around it.