I have built a small formal pond out of concrete block. I have also constructed a deck frame which part crosses the formal pond. Visually, I intended for it to appear that the water disappeared away under the deck.
There are 4 joists for the decking. Three are connected to the deck frame in the usual way. One joist however has to cross the pond. The height of the pond is the same height as the deck frame, so the deck boards are just above the water surface. On reflection, this was an error!
I am now stuck with how to support the deck boards where the fourth joist should be between the two sides of the pond. I can only think of two options:
- Submerge a joist and somehow fix it within the pond. However, this is likely to rot quickly and will spoil the illusion that the water is disappearing under the deck.
- There may be another material I could use to bridge the gap. I wonder if a steel flat bar would do the job, secured either side of the pond to the top of the concrete block.
Hopefully the picture below makes it clearer.