Tools for Digging Holes For Your Backyard Deck
Digging holes for footings and piers is the first major phase of work when it comes to building your backyard deck. And there is no easy way to get around this.
It's pure hard work but its a lot easier and less messy if you have the right tools for digging these holes.
What's Required For The Job
Here's what you should have before you get the feet and hands dirty:
Post hole digger (clam shell style is best)
A clam shell style hole digger is the best tool for digging holes quickly and efficiently because you can go straight down. Use this tool in conjunction with a long steel pry bar to loosen any rocks along the way.
Wheelbarrow
You will need a good stable large size wheelbarrow to mix concrete in as well as haul away and excess earth.
Tarp
Set your tarp around the hole and toss the dirt onto the tarp. Its really easy to then shovel the dirt into the wheelbarrow and haul it away from the site.
When you are done, just spray and clean the tarp and you are left with a cleanly dug hole and a clean work site. Plus you don't have to rake up hard to pick up pieces of clay that fall onto your grass.
Pointed Shovel
This is your work horse shovel and will be used in all kinds of areas - not just digging holes. You can't get by without a pointed shovel.
Square Nosed Shovel
A square nosed shovel is great for cutting into sod as you lay out the perimeter of your deck. It is great for scooping up material from flat surfaces. Be sure to have one at your disposal.
Hoe
Mixing cement with water in a wheelbarrow is a hassle and ineffective unless you use a hoe. Mixing water into the pre-mix still requires effort but it takes half the time using a hoe than any other type of shovel. Get one.
Trowel
A trowel is very useful when you are at the final stage of pouring the concrete into the piers. Pour a little extra cement into the sonotube so that you can create a bit of hump - flat on the top for the post anchor but sloped to the edges to promote water flow.
Heavy Garden Rake
A heavy rake is indispensible on a building site. Use it to slope soil, level or move gravel, clean debris from soil and anything else that comes to mind.
Get Out There and Start Digging Holes
Having good tools for digging makes the entire process of building a deck much more efficient, enjoyable and leaves you with a very clean work site. A clean work site impresses your wife or your client or your neighbors and maybe even yourself.
Attention to details in every phase of construction shines through in the end product - a beautiful well built deck.
Where Can You Get These Tools
Just head down to any local building suppy store and you should find all the digging tools you need. If you are in a more remote area or simply don't have time to track these things down, you can try www.Rockler.com and they will ship right to your doorstep.
Rockler is a very well established online merchant and we have no reservations about recommending them to our visitors as there prices, product and service is top notch.
So you have no excuses, get out there and start building that backyard deck today!