One Thing After Another.. Can We Get It Right?! Covered Deck for our DIY Cabin Homestead Build 

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Nothing wrong with being a perfectionist Gary, that’s what I like about you. Nobody you can hire these days cares to do the job write it’s always shortcuts. The deck is taking shape, looks fantastic guys. ❤️❤️👍👍🇨🇦

If I could fined a contractor with the perfectionist attitude you have Gary, I wouldn’t have had to pay to have thing redone.

I'm so amazed and tickled that you can find a song for every line Gary says 😅😂 LOL. So much Fun!!! Makes me smile all the while you working. 😊

A huge thank you to whoever gifted me a membership! You are truly appreciated! 💜

If you run 16’ rafters for the deck roof just box in the sides where it meets the roof and then you have a step flashing run for the main roof over the house you can box in the eaves at the deck transition as well should be same amount of roofing with what you save on the over framing

I will say it again. Y'all are magically made for each other. Mel and Gary, take this from an older lady,stay whom y'all are and continue doing the great job y'all are doing. Y'all resinste so well together. It's looking so good. Thanks White rock Homestead for giving Gary and Mel a hand. And Jason helping Gary get the level on some of the post. I'm so happy for y'all. It's really getting to be closer to y'all's full build called Simple Life Reclaimed. I'm so happy for y'all❤️❤️❤️❤️

Like I told Anthony, you have a mountain full of resources(& a log splitter) I’d put a wood stove in the basement. We had wood stove upstairs & down when we lived in the PA mountains. Our floors upstairs were always so warm. We had a blower on it with a duct to a vent upstairs. Our house was always really warm. I picked up a very ornate small cook stove that was in pieces for the next to nothing. Cleaned it all up, used high heat rose gold paint. There was a really cool chrome top piece that tipped back where the burners were & another chrome decorative piece on the bottom. I cooked on that thing when our power was out for 9 days. Was awesome. And free!

Perfect time to plug your shirt Keep it on the Level Gary. I'm happy Jason was able to give you such wise advice to just use a shimmy. And Mel, you have a braud knowledge in music, you'd had been a great dj, and I love your spontaneous dances, great fun. And you combating your fear of heights is inspiring for all of us here at home, cheering you on. 🙏💯❣️👍🙏💯❣️👍

Hey y'all, you problably know about this but have y'all thought of an attic fan. They are amazing. on a cool night or even day you turn that fan on and it will cool the whole house. We live in Florida and I wished we had one. We did when we lived in Arkansas. Well just wanted to give y'all some food for thought...lol be blessed and y'all are much loved. Y'all are also in our prayers...

Gotta love Gary’s perfectionism 👍

I couldnt think of a better way to spend valentine day then doing your pergola/deck and supply run...my pergola about the same size as yours I built when I was 23 here I am at 60 still enjoying my veiw of the neighbours brick wall its probably been the most used area of my home Ive had my kids christenings and 18 and 21st partys all under the pergola it was Originally built to give them a place to play on their lil pushbikes these days it holds my stained glass workshop and my cats and dogs hangout in there and Ive only just had to put a new Tin roof on it now which is a bit harder at 60 but Im getting there its a lot of roof might take me a bit but I will finish it soon enough...Happy Valentines guys...later laters❤

Why not raise the post below the trouble area. If you get it right it should raise the affected area. Would be really easy to test as well by temporarily loosening the post. One action instead of 10 or 20 and it would 'do it right.'

another thing you need to address, real soon.. your trusses are NOT rated for a point load for your rafters.. [if they were they would have a tag there and a support right there] you need the load to go to the wall, not the roof.. just random info so it does not get missed.. realistically you could make a short stub wall at the exterior wall and then rafter from there and then have short rafters to the roof - it depends on the board foot cost increase with longer rafters, sometimes going from 10 to 16 is three times the price per board. .. you already are going to cover up some existing roofing, no big deal other than sunk cost, you do need to NOT have that whole roof load mid truss. so once you know how high up the roof you will go then you can figure out the support / crib wall and then figure if splitting the rafters or having them go all the way will do the job. .. this is just random thoughts from a old fart.

Gary, you always go full force to make things right and proper. Saves future headaches. You sure have a glorious day to work on the deck! You’re both I. Great form today, Mel, you seem happy and energetic which makes me happy. I’ll still pray for your health though. Happy Valentine’s Day a day late!!

I really think ya all should draw it out to scale to see what the deck cover will look like. Personally I would make it self supporting. Put a few posts in at the hand rail and then mate up to the house.put the roofing on the house first.the ones next to the house need support and there going to be tall.

Used to live in Lavaca. AR about 3 yrs ago, we used CRUSHER DUST to do our drive it hardened like cement when graded out. Check with the quarry!

You will have to double up the joist above each post so it has full bearing from very top to very bottom. The fastest way to guarantee a level deck is to put a nail on a separate board at each end and stretch a MASON string (regular string can stretch) along at the height that is correctly level. Then you just need to put a car jack or two under the rim board and build a post to put under it on top of the jack. Then crank away till you are level. For all the ends that are exposed, I would highly recommend brushing on a coating of Titebond glue. That will keep water out and prevent rot. I know you will not do my next suggestion which is to cover the tops of every joist with zip tape. I saw that you did it on the main beam but it is one of those things that will add 10 years or more to the deck life. Also, make sure that once the posts are set on the double block you should then cross block between the joists so the posts are blocked in on 4 sides. I construction adhesive and thru-bolt each post with 2 bolts and w/nuts and lock washers. This is necessary due to wind load and snow load trying to tilt the posts later on.

Gary, I’m learning a lot from you on these builds!!! My dad was a builder. 🥰🎶❤️🎶🙏🙏🙏🏡🎶🎶🎶🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

That roof will be pitch perfect what ever angle ypu choose, Gary.

I use to put $110 in biggie here in California and with 6-7 miles per gallon I lived at the gas station lol.

Gary i like how you work because you knows what you want how you want it done and over do always comes out perfect.

Gary using a scribbing tool on that floor board and tracing outline of wall you can eliminate that gap plus you'll need to use flashing before laying down all boards along wall

Gary, you should only have to shim up the post on top of your block piers to level out the whole deck above from the center to the left end

Gary you throw numbers up in the air swirl them around and pull them down and get an answer. I always thought I was good at math but nowadays I am getting lost with the math and where you are going. You are so dang smart. Mel you are so lucky to have a wonderful man who can do that. We build something here and it won't be level or long enough etc. We both are impressed. Frank and I love your videos and your love for each other. We are 67 and 70 and have been married for 44 years. Seeing you kids we see the same with you both. Love you and your kids. ❤❤❤❤

Gary is so smart to take his time and figure it all out FIRST before doing the work.

You both are awesome. Your place looks awesome.

Wow, what a blessing $2 a gallon for gas! I haven't seen that in my state California in twenty years probably!!!

The Little Cabin that Love built ❤❤😊

Gary ... my husband and sons are all carpenters the oldest is a contractor... one was here when you put the posts in... he said you should dovetail the outside bands on the posts.... maybe consider it on the top set...

I could see the smoke coming out Gary's ears, that's a lot of brain scramble. Can't wait to see how this plan out. Mel you must be so proud of Gary ❤

Gary I think you only needed to shim the center support post . Put your level on the bottom of the beam uo against the center post if it's outa level it's that center support postbox cut a shy short. I hate shims. FYI😊

Oh boy, that deck is going to be so awesome when you are done. ❤❤

It is going to be a beautiful house. You 2 are doing such a fantastic job building it. 😊

Hi Mel and Gary, you guys are getting it done. Gary please stop referring to yourself as OCD even in jest. It’s best to say that you just want to get it right. With the shims I am wondering if there will be water down there, if so, they may easily rot, despite being treated. I guess if you oil the deck then you oil those shims to protect them. When I shimmed a veranda floor joist I used plastic shim, these were wedges that I inserted from each side, I used a clamp to tweak them into place then secured with a screw. The beauty of that is that as timber ages it shrinks so I simply remove the screw and clamp the shims again till the gap closes, being plastic there is no problem with water damage. Lovin the build.

Those shorts you been making Mel, are awesome! You are so creative!!

I live in Tennessee but drove through Arkansas to Texarkana, Texas 2 days ago and thought of y'all a lot. Not sure where y'all live but have never seen mountains but want to so bad! I didn't see any on my trip unfortunately but God willing next time! I remember seeing signs for Booneville it seems like when I was around Hot Springs.

I really enjoyed this longer version of the progress of your build. It reminded me of when I was building and remodeling 40-plus years ago. It also made me feel like I was part of your journey. Thank you so much for continuing to share your life with us. God bless you all.

Build it like a wing/aerliron assembly. The house roof has a structure to raise to the 3-4'-12' line. The deck roof is a narrow triangle over to your post. Take the sideview of the structure 3-4-12' from house roof to post. Put a support vertical at the edge of the house, the rest of the strut is a triangle .

ARE YOU REQUIRED TO HAVE A RED FLAG ON THE LUMBER STICKING OUT IN THE REAR, SOME PLACES DO

Gary, plan on closing in he area below the deck roof and above the house roof. If you don’t, every feathered friend in the neighbourhood will move into the nice covered area you provide. It will also provide some extra support to the beams of the deck roof.

Between Gary and Anthony, y'all are going to have the most beautiful layout around your property, endless projects to come. I can't wait to see what y'all have in store for your homestead and for us. lol

Take care guy's,have a good one and God Bless!!!❤😊

I loved that this video was a hour long xx

Again! You two are so good at working together and getting it done. This would drive most couples crazy trying to build a house. It will be another milestone to get the deck done. Great Job!

Love watching Gary think and figure things out. Very intelligent and nothing wrong with OCD. Everyone has it to some degree.

Love that you guys mocked the upper porch roof.. so that, visual learners can see the objective you are aiming at... It's exciting to see what's coming-up! Great work!

Don't worry about it, Melanie. My daughter says math is a four-letter word. Her daughter and I laugh about that all the time because we're both good at it.

Between beam and post. Or under the post mount plate.

I had a great evening watching your video again

Awesome video. Happy Valentine’s Day to you 2. My husband of 29 years is still in the hospital but I love him more than you could ever know.

What’s better than a bubble level is use a string from end to end and put a small piece of wood under the string. What ever the piece of wood in thickness is measure when you shim from your joists to string and you will be better off.

Gary! You got this! With Melanie by your side you can conquer anything 😊

SHIRT " KEEP IT ON THE LEVEL" problem I'll have in wearing, doubt if "my bubble" will be in the middle

It is looking really good and I think you will enjoy it. God Bless from your Canadian Friend.

You could of shimed the 6by6 post on the bottom were they rest on those chimney blocks

This is why you all feed off each other and that's good. Or as Jason would say ™ gooder" it will be fine and everything will work out. This is my jam watching you all build

20 footers....wow bud that's a handful to handle. Hugs

Having grown up with a mother who’s OCD I know what you’re dealing with. Her biggest problems were in times of disarray or big changes. When we were remodeling her kitchen, we’d get a lot done, come the next day & she’d torn everything apart. Like taking 2 steps ahead & she’d put us 10 steps back. Then the reoccurring messes would almost paralyze her. If we weren’t taking control & getting tasks done, it would never have been done.

Y'all are doing great!

Here are some hints: 1- to make it easier to push your shims in, make a sacrificial block that you put against the shim, and its a bit easier to hit a bigger block 2- I don't know about regulations in your area, but here, when wood or anything extends past the end of my car/truck, I have to put a red rag on it.

Remember that if you can't cheaply source 16' rafters, it's possible to use 14' boards and then scab on your 2' on the outside.

Regular here in California is 4:76 er gallon

I would recommend that the top of your porch rafters end above the exterior wall. I prefer to install a 2x4 across the roof horizontally and just clip a notch at the top end of the joist and the birdsmouth on the bottom end. I hope you are accounting for the height of the horizontal joist between the posts.

Gary & Mel the roof on the deck is going to look fabulous can't wait to see the progress ❤️🇨🇦

HELLO Gary & Mel 👋 moving right along on your roof deck 👌take care 🙏

1 Gal = US (gal) = 3,78541 L 20 Gal = 75,71 L. At the moment, 1 litre of petrol costs €1.81 in Germany! 75.7 litres therefore cost €137.03. That would cost $147.53 in Germany! I say it's a bit cheaper with you ;)

When driving wedges like that, use piece of scrap 2"x4" against the wedge and hit the 2"x4". You'll have more strike area and you won't destroy the end of the wedge hitting it directly. If you have an overhang, you are going to loose view.

You always think ahead Guys , moving on with progress. Love to watch you doing improvements . Thx 💕😃

Try 8.30 per gallon. In the Netherlands thats how much it costs

You're loaded up and movin out but Mel did you remember to grab your jacket hun😊

19:04 i order a years worth of earth breeze every January. It’s the only thing I can use for my skin disorder.

My husband would leave it and go forward, however I am OCD too and would want it straightened too Gary!! I’m with you!!👍😊

Great Job Gary and Mel 👏👏

A trick that is faster and cheaper for removing stickers is to spray the end of your razor blade scraper with a little WD-40 and start scraping away. It will start coming off pretty fast.

🫶🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 GREAT WORK!

You can put more than 200 amps of breakers in a 200 amp breaker box. However, you can't pull more than 48 kilowatts of power through it except for a few seconds. How does 5 people use 48,000 watts of electricity? Electric resistance base board heat, electric oven with 6 resistance burners, washer, dryer, 5 tables saws? 200 amps at 240 volts should be more than fine.

Are you really sure you need that much pitch on the deck roof. Up here in northern Wa, yes cause of the snow. Yes you get a little snow but mostly rain I suspect. 4/12 is min up here. I’d reconsider your pitch. Just a suggestion.

Great Job guys.

That covering you are working on would make a beautiful floor for a srceened-in porch for the 2nd floor.

Its nice to see that you two encourage each other. ❤

I really enjoyed the longer video. I'm happy 😊 to watch the two of you work so well together.

man, you guys put in some work with those drills!! 😂😂

Decks bigger then the house,awsome. Make sure keep it protected

progress is good

You ought to look into hydroelectric generator. You have a creek out there, I hope it runs year round. BTW I like your channel And I live a few hours away in central Arkansas near a big lake.

Good Afternoon Mel and Gary!! 🙋‍♀️💕🌞

10/2 to every outlet 8/2 to fridge and frezzer 4/3 to AC compressor cuts the bill by almost 2/3rds. Cali Engineer showed us that.

If you want to save money and be even more environmentally friendly, pull out stuff from the wash and hang it out in the sun to dry. It dries almost as fast and with a breeze even faster than the dryer. The sun also sterilizes the clothes as well. The smell of clothes fresh off the line is way nicer than the fake stink from dryer sheets. You should also consider involving the kids in the laundry process. They are never too you to learn and can help sort, fold and other drudge tasks.

What if you were to use 2x12” rafters for that roof to elevate the roof a little more?

OK, that looks so Nice. Good Job, Mell your doing so much better then the first time

Long video! Planning is always the slow and tedious part, but once you figure it out it will cruise right along.

You lucky guys. gas in Europe is around 7,50$ a gallon.

I know youall need to see

1 x US gallon = 3.78 litres. 1 LITRE of petrol = £1.41 in the UK. Diesel is £1.52 per litre as we passed the station on the way home. Your gas is ridiculously cheap in the USA!

❤ Glad y'all fixed it 😅

If you are not required to have a specific pitch for the deck roof. You could remove your house fascia and tie it into your existing roof structure. Not sure if that’s code but 🤷‍♂️. Good luck.

I would recommend doing a birds mouth cut on the post side which will give you a little more pitch and will be a stronger hold to the post just not sure if will be in your view or not still looking great either way

Gary... dimensional lumber has that problem being the same width and holding it's original width. I just had to shim up floor joists in the middle of our house where the ends of the floor joists from the two sides meet over the central steel beam in the basement. One side was narrower by 1/ 4 inch and was causing horrible squeaking when walked on . Put in shims...no more squeaky floors

beautiful work ,beautiful family, I can't stand when you both laugh,can't stand it... Love you guys....