DIY Network

I've torn out our old first floor deck and am planning to replace it with a paver patio. The back door is 18" above grade at present. If I were to install a "raised" patio, then I would like it to come up to a similar height (save for a small step down to allow for run-off). Also the house is built on a crawl (concrete block foundation with brick exterior).

My questions are: First, can a raised patio be built up when a home is constructed on a crawl? I've seen homes similar to ours with raised beds built up around the foundations to a similar height as I'd potentially like the patio to be;

Second, if it is generally accepted that a raised patio can be built up to this home, what material is a good moisture barrier between the base material and the home?

I'm not opposed to just installing steps from the back door down to the patio. It's just that it will be 13' X 18' and steps would obviously reduce the usable area. I just want to explore the possibility of both options.

Thanks much for any input.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JDN2725,

The best way to do it is to pore a wide footing and set concrete block up to the heigth you want the deck to be, making sure to leave a sloop then have the mason add matching brick to the outside of it, back fill with compactable fill dirt with in 4" of the top of the block leaving a low spot around the outside edges and compact the poop out of it as it's layed in layers. Add wire mesh.
Have the concrete truck bring concrete to form the slab. Make sure to have fiberglass added to the mix, Now you have a flat hard surface to lay the stone or tiles on.