Building a 10x18 second-story deck off a sliding door in Hanover, PA

The problem

The deck sits a full story up, over a walkout basement door and a small patio. That high, the posts carry a lot of weight, so the footings matter more than anything you'll see up top. The ground here is hard clay full of rock, and every hole is slow digging.

What we did

First we marked the deck out right on the back of the house. That way the homeowner could see where it would sit and where the stairs would land. Then the crew dug the footing holes by hand, working around the rock, and measured each one before starting the next. The stairs come down from the middle of the deck.

Common questions in Hanover

Can you build a deck off a second-floor sliding door?

Yes, that's exactly what this job is. The door was already there with a small railing across it. Now the deck gives it somewhere to go, with stairs down to the yard.

Do I need a permit for a raised deck in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania's building code requires a permit for any deck more than 30 inches off the ground, and a deck 9 feet up is well past that. Most townships also inspect the footing holes before any concrete goes in.

How deep do deck footings need to go in Hanover?

Below the frost line, so winter freezes can't push the posts up. Around here that's usually about 3 feet, but your township sets the exact number, so we check before we dig.