How to Build a Deck | Footings, Posts & Framing

Big thank you to Crescent for sponsoring this video!
Also, big thank you to Prowood and Fence Armor for supporting this project!

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Welcome to the official April Wilkerson YouTube channel. I’m April and I’m the creator of Wilker Do’s. I'm not professional or have any training, so I just pick the project I want to tackle and figure it out step by step. On this channel you will find a variety of content like DIY home improvement, How-To’s, construction and more.

[noonedidthistome]

growing up building houses, we always set the string off the end posts with a single 2x4 - 1.5" - then we use another 2x4 to gauge alignment of intermediate posts - much easier than pulling out a tape & measuring 18". we did the same when straightening/bracing walls

[iRjarlok]

shortest and longest 16 minutes of my life. You went all in on the specialized tools and best lumber. It'll stand forever and look great

[samTollefson]

Nice quality build, April!
As an "old timer" carpenter/builder, There are 2 things I could ad for cost savings. One would be to paint 2 coats of fibered roof paint on the post ends. This will triple the life of the posts, especially here in wet Florida. Another would be to staple 2" strips of tar paper to the tops of the joists. I cut 3' lengths and attach them as the decking progresses so it is easy to reach out. I am amazed at how few builders do this, I think they just don't know about it or care about 10, 20 years down the road. I have torn off face split, rotted, and neglected deck boards to find near new joists protected this way, huge money saver.

[joemanco]

post wrap and joist tape are really smart! lil extra effort will add MANY extra years (as u said) probably will outlive the builder!!!

[johnarnold]

Iv watched you for years and years and I honestly think I just found the most impressive woman on YouTube.

[dennishinkle]

I know a guy who put his floor joists running diagonal and it is solid as a rock. You did a tremendous job. I need to put a new back porch deck on this summer and will refer to this while doing it. Thank you for sharing.👍

[robertwagner]

I have the senco positive placement nail gun . Great tool. Joist tape is a great product as well. Been using it for 10 years now.i will say this though about the joist tape. I’ve demoed decks that were 35 years old and for the most part the majority of the old joists were discolored, but most were not rotted at all.
Keep up the good work. I’ve been a carpenter since 1970.

[clutteredchicagogarage]

I built a 2-story play structure for my kids last summer that has an elevated deck. I considered using something like joist tape, but I ended up not doing it. However, I used Seal-Once penetrating waterproofing sealer on my joists and also my beams. I used a mix of non-PT yellow pine (for beams) and Douglas Fir for joists.

I think the Seal-Once works really well, and I'd recommend it. I do think that joist tape might be more robust to prevent moisture from sitting on top of horizontal wood. However, in my application, I put a roof over my structure. I used clear, corrugated polycarbonate roofing. A little bit of condensation and wind-driven rain might get onto some horizontal members, but the roof over everything keeps out > 95% of the water, and I think this massively extends the lifetime. So I went with penetrating liquid waterproofing wood sealer rather than joist tape because I think joist tape looks kind of ugly when you can see it from below. If you have a rim joist (or is that a band joist?) and you cannot really see the sides of your joists then I think joist tape is a good idea.

[kyanbd]

Hi April! My husband and you are such kindred spirits. He fell hard for you tonight with the outdoor showers and deck videos! Um. He waterproofed our under deck years ago in much the same way we saw you do so tonight (7.4.24) . And, there's way more but, that waterproofing method was crazy close! You ROCK, Woman! I can't even be jealous cuz, I enjoy your personality, carpentry skills and vibe as well. Thx, April!

[ensenanzadeidiomas]

Nice and instructive video, April. Thanks for sharing and greetings from Colombia.

[Self_Evident]

That tape measure is awesome! I"ve never seen one before, but now that I have, I can't believe ALL tape measures aren't marked top AND BOTTOM!
Of course, after I get one, it'll probably just end up being one more tool I won't be able to find when I need it... :)

[pepperjack]

This is fantastic. Looks like you knocked out about half the work in the first video. Looking forward to the rest of the series! Finished project looks amazing (as always). Seeing how projects are completed in steps is so helpful. You build confidence in those who want to take on a project! Thank you!

[nursetamee]

I'm a novice and your helpful hints will help me accomplish many projects in the future. My father never knew this stuff, so I've had to learn as I attempt to fix up my cabin. Thank you for sharing. ✌️❤️🔨🪚

[mebcool]

Haven't seen you for a couple of years April.

I see you're prospering nicely.

Awesome project.
And, you still have that signature wave.
Don't lose that girl.

Cheers

[henrysboy]

What a project! Really ambitious. Also love the efforts around the video editing and quality. The hard work on both show and the results are awesome. TY.

[chipmiller]

April my hat is off to you you've got to be one of the most impressive and multi-skilled person I have watched on YouTube!
Allso you're a good-looking woman which is even more impressive I hope you don't find this offensive I just admire your work ethic and how you approach things.
Truly inspiring, you are a hell of a go-getter I wonder what inspired you to work with woodworking was somebody in your family a woodworker?

[jwall]

Beautiful. I also love the fact that you literally get paid for improving your own home!

[bobvilla]

That tip about the string line is top notch. Never would have thought of that even though I knew about the problem

[johncowie]

Gosh who would have thought you could sit on a board and apply tape then move it AWESOME
geez you have a whole team
Finally a clamp shows up

[jameshalliday]

Nice job. I think i would tape the tops of the joists before installation. That’s what i did for my kid’s treehouse. Saved a lot of time and was a lot easier.
Keep up the great work!