Decks built for lakeside damp
Silver Beach sits along Lake Whatcom, and the lakeside setting is the draw and the challenge both. Lots this close to water stay damp, and the lake watershed soil holds moisture longer than higher, drier ground. A deck out here is working against constant wet, so the framing and drainage have to be right or it'll rot from underneath while the surface still looks fine.
We build for that. Ground-contact-rated framing and footings below frost depth, a properly flashed ledger, and corrosion-resistant fasteners that hold up to the damp. We keep water moving away from the structure with proper drainage so the deck dries out between our wet stretches. Silver Beach also sits in the Lake Whatcom watershed, where extra stormwater rules can apply, and we account for that in the build. Fence posts get set in drained concrete here too, because lakeside soil leans a lazy post fast.
What we build in Silver Beach.
Common projects
Lakeside decks with ground-rated framing and drainage, deck rebuilds on damp-rotted structures, composite decks for low upkeep near the water, and drained fence post setting.
Permits and inspection
Decks over 30 inches off the ground or attached to the house need a City of Bellingham building permit and inspection. We pull the permit, handle the drawings, and meet the inspector.
Climate considerations
Lakeside Silver Beach lots stay damp and the watershed soil holds water, which rots framing early. We use ground-rated lumber, flashing, drainage, and corrosion-resistant fasteners.