DIY Network

Surface Sealer, Support Posts Surface Sealer, Support Posts From "Hardscapes" episode DHSC-105

An arbor makes great addition to almost any yard or garden -- here, see the first steps in building one of your own....

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Tools/Materials:

Drill with assorted drill bits and extension bit
Jigsaw
Reciprocating saw
Miter saw
Ratchet and socket set
Carpenter's level
Line level or water level
Power screwdriver
Hammer drill
Tamper
Hammer
Post-hole digger (manual or gas-powered)
Ladders
Paint brush
Garden sprayer
Rubber gloves
Scrub brush
Pressure washer
Rubber boots
Safety glasses
Work gloves
Concrete Sealer
Mild detergent
Tri-Sodium phosphate
Kitty litter
Wooden stakes
Roll of string
Gravel
Fast-setting concrete
Masonry screws
Masonry epoxy
Galvanized deck screws
4" lag screws
2"x6"s
2"x4"s
2"x2"s
Rafter ties
Post anchors
Scrap wood for bracing

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• To get started with the arbor, the first step is to seal the concrete. Concrete sealers penetrate up to an inch into the porous surface forming an impervious barrier. Sealing helps to prevent water damage and helps to keep stains from soaking into the concrete. Before sealing, the surface needs to be completely clean. So, wash your patio with water, a scrub brush (figure A), and mild detergent. For a quick job, you can use a pressure washer.

• Apply the sealer liberally, but evenly (figure B). Be careful not to allow the sealer to puddle. You may need to apply a second coat of sealer to your concrete slab, depending on how porous your slab may be. Just make sure that you allow for proper drying time between coats.

• Okay, this will take about 6 hours to dry for light foot traffic, but since we are building an arbor over this slab, we'll give it 24 hors to make sure it's dry before we start.

• While that dries, you can construct the posts. Start by cutting your 2"x6"x8" inch spacer blocks (figure C). For this project, we should need about 18 -- two for each of the 6 posts, plus a few extra for the temporary tie beam support.

• Sandwich the spacer blocks at either end and between two 2"x6"s (figure D); secure with galvanized screws.

• At this point, don't worry about the height of the posts. After you determine the correct height and cut off the excess from the posts. Once you've determined the correct height of the arbor, then you'll sandwich another spacer block to temporarily support the tie beams as you install them.

• This post design works well when adding an arbor on to a deck. Just position a spacer block 6 to 8 inches away from the bottom end of the 2"x6"s, making a fork that will fit over your deck's joists. Secure with lag screws.