Platform Decks

Does anybody know how to use timber sleepers for decking?

G'day, I am planning on using timber sleepers to create a walkway around my pool, however, I am not to sure how to go about it; ie, How to prepare the surface to lay the timber and the best type of oil to use to prevent the wood from rotting. Thanks,

Public Comments

1. Not sure what a 'timber sleeper' is. From the "G'day", I'd assume you're not in the US. A bit more info please?
2. The hardest thing about laying down sleeper is to create a level finished surface. It requires a solid and level surface. This is done by excavating down to the clay, using a tamper to compress the clay and a layer of loose gravel raked and levelled. Place down some landscape cloth to prevent grass and weeds from growing up through you walkway and lay down the sleepers. It might be a good idea to drill holes through the timbers and drive spikes or rebar through the holes into the ground to limit movement. Then work down the walkway and level the timbers on both sides using shims. Its a detailed process which will be significantly easier with a laser level or transit; but an ordinary straight-edge and level will work. A little PL-400 on the shims should suffice as a way of securing the shims to the timbers. The final stage is the cutting and placement of the decking material. For all exterior wood projects, pressure-treated lumber is the best choice. However, any wood which comes in contact with the earth needs to be pressure treated. Most pressure treated lumber has a life-span of 25 years when exposed to the weather. Non-treated lumber has a life-expectancy of about half as long. You can extend the life of your walkway by using a thick tar-like sealant on the bottom and sides of the timbers, but it makes for a messy job.
3. timber sleepers should not be used for walkways.epically around pools,unless of course you like getting splinters in your feet that are coated with arsenic which is used on pressure treated wood.the best way to do it however is to establish where your finish grade is going to be ,dig down 6 inches and put down landscaping felt then fill 6 inches of stone dust hit it with a wacker / tamper. get your grades pitching in the direction you want and set your boards.your going to have to drill holes in the sides and countersink bolts and secure them together.use an electric ratchet.once your finished all your timbers will be held together by each other.don't worry about rot most of your damage will be done by insects.use bug spray every 6 weeks-when ants are out