Pine Sleeper as Ground Level Bearer?

[~Ji]

For a ground level deck, would it work to use a pine treated sleeper as a bearer?

I am thinking of locating it on/in a screening filled trench.

Cheers, Ji

[Thylacene]

Yes you can, but it is not recommended, and certainly would not comply with building code. If what you are building is effectively a large pallet, and you anticipate replacing that bearer as required into the future it is not an issue. If you want to play by the rules there is a minimum clearance from ground level, and treated pine is supposed to be either mounted on saddles or into concrete if it is used as a stump or footing. Rules vary state to state.

What you can do and what you are allowed to do are often two different things :)

[Gabriel]

Not that I'm positive, but I think TP sleepers are still quite wet too so may warp/twist as they dry out. Not what you need for bearing.

[FenceFurniture]

Concrete pads a re pretty easy to make (although tiring). 100mm off the ground. You can see my attempts at this here:

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=197223&p=1890174#post1890174

for a few posts and then from post#118.