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skirting under deck

| Posted in Construction Techniques on April 3, 2002 06:27am

 My sister-in-law has a deck that is approx. 18″ off the ground and has lattice that goes around the deck. Well something is chewing a hole through it and she thinks it could be rats. It seems the neighbor a few doors down doesn’t know how to throw his garbage out and there is a big mess in his yard.

  On my wooden porch that I built, I put on some T111 around it and she like the way it turned out and was wondering if I would put that on her deck. The question I have is, do rats dig under things and if they do, what can I do to keep them from going under the skirting?

 I never seen this problem before and I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

 Dean

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  1. User avater
    DaveMason2 | Apr 03, 2002 07:36pm | #1

    I'm sure that if the rats wanted under there bad enough they would dig under it. I don't have any rat problem but I do get the occasional shrew.

    Dave

  2. User avater
    observer | Apr 04, 2002 08:04am | #2

    do rats dig under things

    Do fish swim? Do birds fly? You bet rats dig. They went under the footings of my house at one spot. I filled it with 1" gravel. They excavated the gravel. I replaced it and laid 3 and 4" rocks on top. They shuffled the rocks and excavated the gravel again. I replaced the gravel and poured a concrete plug. They dug under the plug. I excavated to the rock shelf that had raised the footing so high and poured a mini slab running from granite to concrete.

    That worked.

    Then they found the Pyracantha growing up the side of the house. New game!

    Oh yeah - they can chew through plywood too.



    Edited 4/4/2002 1:06:12 AM ET by Dick

  3. User avater
    ProDek | Apr 04, 2002 06:40pm | #3

    Skirting a deck 18" off the ground is a bad idea. A deck that close to the ground needs air to circulate under it or it will rot prematurely from ground condensation.

    If you are worried about critters getting under your deck, what about the ones you trap there that can't get out.

    The best skirting for a deck is 1x4 fencing but it should be spaced at 1" to allow some air to get under the deck. 

    Bob

    "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

    1. pantango67 | Apr 04, 2002 07:32pm | #4

      Pro-dek,

       I talked to this guy that said the same thing as you about putting T111 around the perimeter of the deck. I didn't even think of that (duhhh).

       The idea he gave me was to put a few boxes of mothballs under there. He said that most mammals stay away from that stuff.

       I think I'll let my Sister-in-law know that and see if that makes a difference

        Thanks

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