Decking posts and underground pipes - options??

[CaptainC]

Hello all,

Had a search through the archive and couldn't immediately see an answer to my question, so hopefully someone can give me some useful pointers.

Planning on building a deck roughly 3m x 5m - where two sides will be attached the back of the house and the garden wall. The garden slopes downwards away from the house, so was originally planning to concrete in some posts - but from opening up the man hole covers (3 of 'em) in the garden it looks very difficult to get the right span between the posts and am not entirely confident I know where they all go . So, had a few questions really:

1. If I go for concreting in posts, is there a minimum distance they'd need to be from a pipe?
2. Anyone used an alternative, such as posts within Deck Piers (http://decksupply.co.uk/Deck_Pier.aspx)?
3. For the more level ground closer to the house I am assuming that I can rest the joists on blocks or piers levelled on gravel.

Any help much appreciated, no backing out now the missus has her heart set on it

 

[Thermo]

just put the posts to the sides of where the pipes are. you may need to put an extra one or two in, but it shouldnt be a problem. look in the manhole and you should be able to tell how deep they are anyway

 

[CaptainC]

just put the posts to the sides of where the pipes are. you may need to put an extra one or two in, but it shouldnt be a problem. look in the manhole and you should be able to tell how deep they are anyway

Hi Thermo,

Thanks for the response, and excuse my novice nervousness here, but I'm not entirely sure where the pipes route under the surface so if I encounter one whilst digging what do I do? Can I just fill the hole up and move x inches (minimum distance?) to the side - will the previously dug hole then create a less stable footing?

 

[Thermo]

yep exactly what to do.

look in the manholes. youll see the depth of the pipes and you should be able to work out the rough route of the pipes from them.