Next step is to finalize the form layout for the Patterned Concrete decking/patio that goes around the pool and up to the house. We hit a snag here because we want the cement to come right up to the existing patio doors in the basement of the house - and we also want a deck above this under the doors that come out of the kitchen. The problem is the posts for the deck, they will need to be placed where we want the cement to be - but the cement decking is a "floating pad" but the deck posts need to be connected to cement piers sunk 4+ feet into the ground. The floating pad can't be connected the piers or the pad will crack if there is any movement. As well, we only want 2 posts, 12' apart and 8' from the house (to support a 10x16 deck). The standard building permit plans show a maximum of 10' spacing for posts, and the need for 12" diameter piers - that's a big hold to try and drill into the cement pad after it is poured...
Current plan: sink 14" sonatube forms about a foot into the ground where I want my deck posts to go, pour the patterned concrete around the outside of the 14" tube, auger and install 12" sonatube pier forms 4+ feet down inside the 14" hole and fill with cement to ground level, install the post on the pier and surround the bottom of the post and 14" hole with dirt and flowers. In the end, the posts will be on 12" piers sunk deep and solid, and the cement pad is free to float.
Challenges: still have the issue of post spacing, we want 12' not 10'. Also, not sure if the Patterned Concrete process can manage a hole in the middle of the pattern (I assume there is a patterned form that gets laid on the top of the cement, so having a 14" sonatube in there might mess up that pattern).
One challenge at a time - going to Home Depot on Sunday to see if the deck design guy can give me some ideas for overcoming the 10' spacing issue.
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