Best weed mat for under a deck

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Best weed mat for under a deck

Paul1977

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#282624 2-Mar-2021 10:59

As per subject. What is the best weed mat to put under a deck? Want it to be long lasting (as will never be able to replace it) and allow as much water to drain through it as possible as I obviously don't want water ponding anywhere under the deck after rain etc.

Thanks

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#2666681 2-Mar-2021 11:16

I think a NON-WOVEN WEED MAT under scoria is good , inhibits weed growth yet allows air and water permeability

maybe like this - https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/home-living/outdoor-garden-conservatory/gardening-landscaping-supplies/cloth-matting-netting/listing/2989042775?bof=vwZeTszx

Paul1977

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#2666694 2-Mar-2021 11:27

xcon:

I think a NON-WOVEN WEED MAT under scoria is good , inhibits weed growth yet allows air and water permeability

maybe like this - https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/home-living/outdoor-garden-conservatory/gardening-landscaping-supplies/cloth-matting-netting/listing/2989042775?bof=vwZeTszx

What does the scoria do, is it just to keep the weed mat in place?

billgates

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#2666738 2-Mar-2021 11:39

You do not need a weed mat under a deck? We did not put one. It will get no sunlight at all so weed cannot grow anyway? The water that does falls through the deck just gets soaked up ground naturally anyway.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Paul1977

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#2666739 2-Mar-2021 11:43

billgates: You do not need a weed mat under a deck? We did not put one. It will get no sunlight at all so weed cannot grow anyway? The water that does falls through the deck just gets soaked up ground naturally anyway.

It can get a little sun through the gaps in the deck - whether that's enough for weeds to grow I don't know. I know the weeds grow like crazy on the land at the moment (where the deck will be), so thought it might be a good idea just in case.

MikeB4

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#2666740 2-Mar-2021 11:44

Weed needs sunlight to grow so you will get a bad crop under the deck and definitely no seeds😇

kiwiharry

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#2666749 2-Mar-2021 12:09

I've recently had to pull up our deck, which has been in place for at least 20 years. No weeds beneath it, but have had weeds galore grow in the space over the past 10 weeks. I just plan to use some weedspray before we rebuild the deck.

We did have large roots from neighbours property going through that space and under our house. With their permission we cut the roots near the boundary and pulled up the roots going across our property.

Was supposed to have started rebuilding our deck last Sunday, but level 3 here in AKL put a stop to that.

If you can't laugh at yourself then you probably shouldn't laugh at others.

Paul1977

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#2666758 2-Mar-2021 12:38

Another semi-related question. We're having someone come and scrape out a little more dirt where the deck will be as the clearance was a little low in some places. Should we get them to grade the land with a slope slope away from the house, or should it be level?

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Eva888

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#2666759 2-Mar-2021 12:40

Same here, no weeds under our deck that’s been up for years.

tdgeek

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#2666768 2-Mar-2021 13:18

Paul1977:

Another semi-related question. We're having someone come and scrape out a little more dirt where the deck will be as the clearance was a little low in some places. Should we get them to grade the land with a slope slope away from the house, or should it be level?

I dont think so, it would probably stay pretty dry there even in rain, and it will soak in. But if you can give it a minor fall easily enough, yeah, why not. No harm. Peace of Mind value

Paul1977

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#2666771 2-Mar-2021 13:32

tdgeek:

Paul1977:

Another semi-related question. We're having someone come and scrape out a little more dirt where the deck will be as the clearance was a little low in some places. Should we get them to grade the land with a slope slope away from the house, or should it be level?

I dont think so, it would probably stay pretty dry there even in rain, and it will soak in. But if you can give it a minor fall easily enough, yeah, why not. No harm. Peace of Mind value

They're coming out anyway so, as you say, I guess no harm.

timmmay

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#2666772 2-Mar-2021 13:33

We have weeds or ferns growing under our deck that come out between the slats. Given the small investment I'd probably do a weed mat.

cshwone

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#2666778 2-Mar-2021 13:50

I weed killed the new area for the deck. Put down just the standard cheap woven weedmat from M10. Three years later still no weeds.

neb

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#2666856 2-Mar-2021 17:33

billgates: You do not need a weed mat under a deck? We did not put one. It will get no sunlight at all so weed cannot grow anyway? The water that does falls through the deck just gets soaked up ground naturally anyway.

I've seen decks with entire fern plantations under them. Weeds are less likely, but it's the perfect environments for ferns to grow.

Jase2985

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#2666908 2-Mar-2021 18:20

is that north facing decks or ones that are more sheltered and see less sun?

Froglotion

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#2666942 2-Mar-2021 20:07

I weed sprayed under my deck then used the warehouses finest weed mate /sarcasm. Did the trick. I have a plant growing under a smaller deck I didn't mat, whoops. As for levelling, I wouldnt worry. Level is fine and just have it low enough to have the required distance to timber. I was stuck for height too. I levelled the ground to be 100mm below the H4 bearers.

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