Ground level deck - help

[Alfascot]

Help. I want to construct a 25' X 10' detached deck outside my home. I wish it to be darned near at ground level (the access door of the home is approximately 6 inches above ground). All plans I have seen in the std magazines require at least 15 inches height before the actual decking is laid down - approx. 3" above grade for footer to keep water off wood; 6" beam placed directly on the footer and 6" joists placed on top of the beam. (I'd like to put the joists on top of the beam in order to extend them approx 1.5 feet beyond the beam).
I'm uncomfortable excavating an area in order to place the footers low enough because it seems that when it rains the water would buddle around the footings. Or is there some way to prevent this. About 6 inches below soil level is a clay layer that goes pretty deep and doesn' absorb water. I keep visualizing this 25'X10' rectangular hole that becomes a pool in the rainy season.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

[rwanders]

A concrete patio would probably be a better choice for your situation.

[Alfascot]

Thanx,

and, darn!

[dexter]

While I agree that concrete or pavers may be your best option, if you have any slope on your property, another option may be to take the entire area under the deck down a foot or so, place your piers at whatever elevation you need, lay tile to daylight, and bring gravel back up to grade.

[Alfascot]

Thanks again, fellas,

While I REALLY wanted the warmth of a deck, looks like I'm doomed to a patio.
Thanks again for the help

A

[homebild]

There is nothing to prevent you from constructing this deck on top of the ground without footings.

Footings are only required where the deck is attached to the dwelling and where frost could affect the structure.

The simply solution here is to level the area for the deck then use treated
2x4 joists laid directly on the soil. Just make sure the joists are treated .60 or greater for direct ground contact.

If you use 5/4" decking the total height above existing grade would be 4 3/4".
If you use 1 1/2" decking the total height of the deck above grade would be 5".

Simple.