Tieing new deck to old deck

617sjweab — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:34:30 GMT

I have a small lot with a considerable hill in the back and I'm considering different ways to landscape that hill so the space is most usable (its beachfront) with a seawall . I will eventually have to hire an expert, but I am trying to get myself educated first. A topo is attached which shows the elevations. I have an existing deck (yr 2000 new construction) that only leaves a couple feet to walk behind because of the steep hill. I want to make more room to walk there. A wall would work, but a deck built on the hill is difficult to mate with top of the hill. So I was thinking I could build on the hill and tie it to the existing deck. The posts for the existing deck (6x6, 4 total) are as close to the edge of the hill as you can go. The picture shows the old house, new house and deck (dark lines) and proposed new deck (dotted lines) for discussion.

I would like to use the existing 6x6's to support the beam for the new deck. The beam would be at ground level (the exsting deck is about 6'). I could add 3 more posts between the existing ones to minimize the load on the existing ones, but then I might as well just not tie into the old one at all. Either way these new holes must be dug under the existing deck. I can also ask the builders opinion, he is still around.

Does this make sense? Besides the obious ask a pro and dont tie into the old deck, I would be interested in your expert insights. THanks alot.
PS> There are other issues to deal with here: the hill, high winds, stairs but dealing with the top of this hill most cost effectively, functionally, and ascetically is were I am stuck. Thanks

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Tieing new deck to old deck