Deck Builders in Fife, WA

As deck builders in Fife, we start every job by looking down, not up. The city sits in a low, flat area that runs out from the Port of Tacoma, and the southern part of town lies in the Puyallup River floodplain. A deck here usually sits close to the ground, and that is exactly where Pacific Northwest rot begins: in the shaded, damp gap between the joists and the soil.

A water table you can feel

In parts of Fife the water table is only 10 to 15 feet below the surface, close enough that ground level can shift slightly with the tides. That does not stop anyone from building a deck, but it shapes the details. We set posts on concrete footings with standoff bases so end grain never sits in wet soil. We avoid burying wood posts in the ground. We leave open sides or vented skirting on low decks so air can move and the framing can dry between storms. On a level lot, we also slope the grade under the deck slightly away from the house so water does not pond against the foundation.

Low decks, big payoff

Most Fife yards are flat, so a single-level deck stepping off a slider or patio door is the most common request. That shape keeps costs down because there are few stairs and short guard runs. It also hides problems. A low deck is hard to inspect from below, which is why we like to use joist tape over the tops of framing members, ground-contact rated lumber for anything close to grade, and hidden-fastener composite boards on decks where you will never crawl underneath again.

• Composite decking for low decks where boards will stay damp longer
• Pressure-treated wood decks with ground-contact framing and proper spacing for drainage
• Deck repair and replacement when an old ground-level deck has gone soft at the edges
• Covered decks and pergolas that keep the surface usable during a wet winter
• Railings and stairs sized for raised decks on the slopes near Fife Heights
• Staining and sealing for cedar and treated decks that are starting to gray and grow moss

Rentals and owner-occupied homes

Census estimates put Fife's owner-occupied rate at 46.3%, which means more than half of homes are rented. If you own a rental, a deck is a safety item before it is a lifestyle item. We can inspect an existing deck and give you a written list of what is sound, what is worn, and what should be fixed before the next tenant moves in. Loose guards, rotten stair stringers and corroded ledger hardware are common problems on older decks. For owner-occupied homes, the conversation is more often about adding covered space or replacing a tired wood deck with composite.

Shaking and soft ground

The USGS has modeled a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on the Tacoma Fault Zone and lists liquefaction among its hazards. Flat, wet, river-built ground is the kind that deserves extra attention. On attached decks we use a flashed, through-bolted ledger and lateral load connectors that tie the deck framing to the house, rather than relying on nails. Freestanding decks get diagonal bracing between posts and beams.

Permits

Permit rules differ from city to city, so ask the City of Fife's permit counter what applies to your deck before work starts, especially if it will be attached to the house, raised or covered, and doubly so if your property is in the floodplain. We can prepare drawings for the application and build to the approved plan.

Getting a quote

Call (253) 525-5245 or send a few photos of the yard and the door you want the deck to serve. We visit, measure and give you a written estimate that spells out materials, footing type and what is included.

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