decking - ground preparation

[andy]

Hi,

Going to lay some decking at the rear of my garage. The area has paving stones round the edge (in an "L" shape), and grass in the middle. Decking needs to be at ground level (or on top of where the grass was).

The grass area is fairly soft ground and I fear could settle once the joists are on it. The established paved area won't settle, leaving the decking wobbly.

Any suggestions??

TIA!

[The Medway Handyman]

Depending on the DPC level of the house - if the decking will touch it, the best way is to raise the level so the joists are above the grass & slab level. Use 3 x 3 tanalised posts imbedded in the ground by at least 18" and fixed with concrete or postcrete. Bolt the joists to those.

In other words, ignore the ground and 'hang' the decking joists over it.