How long does a deck installation take?

Most mid-size replacements run 5 to 10 working days, with resurfacing over a sound frame closer to 2 to 5. Weather, concrete cure time, and inspection scheduling tend to move that window more than the carpentry itself ever does.

What is the code for a deck ledger board?

Ledgers are minimum 2x8 pressure-treated stock, fastened with 1/2-inch lags or through-bolts staggered top and bottom, with holes pre-drilled. Spacing tightens as joist span grows, from roughly 30 inches at 6 feet down to 11 inches at 16.

What are common ledger board mistakes?

Nailing instead of bolting, skipping the flashing, hitting siding rather than solid rim board, and spacing fasteners by eye. Any one of them lets water in or leaves the connection under-rated, and both problems stay hidden until something moves.

Do decks need to be inspected?

Yes, in most jurisdictions. Campbells Carpentry LLC builds to a minimum of 3 inspections in Warrenton, MO: footings before concrete, framing before decking goes down, and a final. Each stage stays open until the inspector has actually looked at it.

What is the minimum footing depth for a deck in Missouri?

Depth follows local frost requirements rather than one statewide number. Around here that means 30 inches below grade, with a 12-inch diameter pier belled out to 18 inches at the base, so seasonal freezing cannot lift the structure.

How far apart should joists be for composite decking?

Sixteen inches on center covers standard straight installations. Run the boards diagonally and that tightens to 12 inches, and stair stringers usually want 12 inches or less. Manufacturer instructions govern here, since warranties depend on the spacing being right.

Can I replace just the deck boards without replacing the frame?

Often yes, when the posts, ledger, and joists test sound and the hardware is intact. We pull a few boards, probe the framing, and check connectors first. Resurfacing a solid frame saves real money and shortens the job considerably.

What is the 3-4-5 rule for decks?

It is the layout trick for squaring a frame: measure 3 feet along one side, 4 feet along the other, and adjust until the diagonal reads exactly 5. Campbells Carpentry LLC squares every frame this way in Warrenton, MO.

Deck Installation | Warrenton, MO

Every pier under a deck here has to reach 30 inches below grade and bell out to 18 inches at the bottom, because that is where the frost stops lifting things. Campbells Carpentry LLC handles deck installation for homeowners in Warrenton, MO, and nearby Wright City, from the first auger hole through ledger flashing, joist hangers, hold-down brackets, decking, stairs, and rail posts. We also strip and rebuild tired structures that were never framed for the loads they carry.

Our work gets staged so the footing, framing, and final inspections each find what the inspector expects to see, and nothing gets covered until it has been looked at. We have spent 5+ years setting posts and hanging joists, and as a small owner-operated company you talk with the person who drove the lags. Free estimates come with an honest read on whether your existing frame is worth saving. Reach us through our contact page to get on the schedule.