How to fix blueboard to fence frame and how to replace pool deck?

[Sunnycoast5]

Hi,

I'm tackling what hopefully will not be too big of an ask for my skillset. I have a 25 M long blueboard rendered front fence that is in dire need of a fix. The blueboard has long gone past it's best & is crumbling off the frame. My initial thoughts were to demo it & have a fencer erect something more aesthetically pleasing. Like everyone, finding a tradie is one thing, getting them to turn up is quite something else again. I removed the sheeting on the house side of the fence to inspect the frame. To my surprise, the frame was generally in good health so I decided to just strengthen the frame everywhere possible & it is now very sturdy. My intention is to just replace all of the sheeting, cover the joints with paper jointing tape & joint compound & then painting. What is the best way to fix the sheeting to the fence frame? Each fence "panel" is 2 x 2400/900 sheets, so 2400 wide & 1800 high. The pics might explain better than myself!

Onto my next & probably most challenging project, the pool deck. As per the pics, it's very obvious that the joists etc are far from serviceable. My thoughts are to just replace each piece of timber with a similarly sized piece of structural H3 pine & then merbau over the top. Any input greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Steve

Steve

[Jason]

Great to see you make you first post on the community after being a member for many years @Sunnycoast5. Welcome to the discussion!

Looks like you have a very challenging project on your hands with the deck, but that blueboard fence repair should be relatively simple. As our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts are taking a short break at the moment, let me tag some other helpful members for their thoughts on your questions: @DIY4Knuckleheds, @Nailbag and @Jewelleryrescue.

Jason

[Nailbag]

Hi @Sunnycoast5 

I would agree on the plan to reinstate the wall with new boards, tape, compound and paint. You will just need to remove or rebate those strengthen brackets that are surface mounted so the new boards can sit flush.

As a suggestion for a different more modern look to a single plain wall is something like this one I made around a pool. I simply put more timbers to fix cement sheets to and painted them black. Then left a 10mm shadow gap between the sheets before applying a sealing clear coat.

 

The deck unfortunately doesn't look salvageable at Allas the joist have lost to much of their structural integrity through rot and deterioration. It has been built correctly either as there are long spans where joists haven't been supported with stumps that would have cause the deck to bounce when walked upon. But the sub-floor frame does give you a great head start for a template of lengths and placement for a new one. And there are plenty of resources in the community that @Jason could share links to on how to rebuild it correctly. And with the new build, laying a product like Protectadeck along the top of the joist will maximise the life of the joists.

Nailbag

 

[Jason]

@Sunnycoast5,

An option worth considering for your poolside is a timber-free deck like this popular example that experienced member @Adam_W shared with the community.

Jason

[Sunnycoast5]

Hi Jason,

thanks for the suggestion. I'm tending to shy away from composite decking at this stage mainly because of the cost but also because the decking is in full QLD sunlight so retained heat is also a factor. With regards to the blueboard, what's the best way of fastening the sheets to the fence studs?

[EricL]

Hello @Sunnycoast5 

I suggest using traditional Paslode 30 x 2.8mm 2kg Galvanised Fibre Cement Nails to hang the sheets up. It is also possible to use the Macsim 8G x 30mm Fibre Cement Screws Galvanised or the Buildex 9 - 10 x 32mm Zinc Alloy 3 Star Head Fibre Cement Screws if you prefer to use screws. I totally agree with Nailbag regarding the state of the decking frame, I'm afraid it will need to be replaced as it has deteriorated very badly and can no longer be recycled.

I suggest having a look at these guides - How to build a low-level deck by @Adam_W and How to build a deck by @MitchellMc. These will provide you with ideas on what you need to take into consideration when you rebuild your deck.   

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular deck projects.

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Eric

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Sunnycoast5 

Take well  I simple  would  cement that area in where the deck is and the next  repair and inspection is never needed again where as timber will need replacing every 25 years or so.  If this is  with in your skill set and it is a bit  daunting  first time.

Nothing can outlast concrete base long life stone, tile bricks.  Hire a  pro concreter the cost is a  once off.

I love timber  ceramic tile look alikestoo so real  these days or your choice.

Remove old timbers.

Choose your tiles first re thickess  and cement away allowing room for the tiles and glue.  Or arrange a concert grind for a lovly finish.

Hire a  cement mixer,  order in  sand and stone and steel mesh Do your planning

If it is your first slab allow 5mm to pour a self leveling  cement on finished slab for a perfect result if you are  tiling the top perfertion not required.

@EricL and  @Nailbag has  covered the fixings for your wall panels

[Sunnycoast5]

Hey EricL,

thanks for the reply. Those Paslode Fibre Cement Nails look to be a great option. Am I able to hire a Paslode nail gun that is compatible with those nails? Is there any merit in coating the tops of the timbers on the fence frame & deck timbers with bitumen?

In my initial post, i must not have explained myself very well as I never intended to recycle any of the timber decking at all. My plan is to just use it as a template for new H3 structural pine joists & bearers with additional joists added where previously advised.

Thanks again,

Steve

[Sunnycoast5]

Hi Jewelleryrescue,

thanks for replying. I did think of concrete but I have never poured any before & it's very difficult to get reliable concreters at the moment, it seems. I like the no maintenance aspect of concrete, but in all honesty i prefer the look of a timber deck, albeit with the maintenance that comes with it. Additionally, if any pool maintenance needs to access the plumbing, it's much easier to unscrew a few merbau planks.

Cheers,

Steve

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Sunnycoast5,

Unfortunately, there is no nail gun compatible with those nails.  

Painting the timber frame with bitumen could assist in preventing water from sitting on top of it. However, you do have products like Protectadeck floor joist protection that are suitable for that job.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Mitchell