Sun Valley, Los Angeles County
Decks, Patios and Retaining Walls in Sun Valley
Decks over old patios, new slabs, patio covers and retaining walls in Sun Valley, with the existing concrete tested before any framing is drawn.
Can a new deck be built over an existing concrete patio at a Sun Valley house, or does the slab have to come out first? The answer depends on the slab thickness and condition, how close its surface sits to the door threshold, and whether water already drains off it. A low deck on sleepers can sometimes rest on sound concrete, while a raised frame needs its own footings cut through the slab.
Testing the old slab
We sound the slab with a hammer for hollow spots, check it with a long level for settlement, and look for cracks that have shifted out of plane. A cut at one edge shows the thickness. If the slab pitches toward the house, a deck over it would trap water against the wall, so the pitch is corrected or the slab is removed. The height left between the slab and the door threshold sets how deep the framing can be, which in turn limits joist size and spacing.
Permits and neighboring areas
A deck attached to the house, or one standing above the height the code exempts, needs an LADBS permit, and Sun Valley falls within the City of Los Angeles. Guards, stairs and ledger connections are reviewed, and attached patio covers go through the same process. If a yard drops off behind the slab, a raised section may need engineered posts and footings. Nearby North Hollywood, Arleta, Pacoima and Lake View Terrace follow the same city review. Burbank, also close by, is permitted by its own city.
Work we take on in Sun Valley
Each service is planned around the lot, sloped or level.
Building in Sun Valley?
Send the address and the job, and a builder will arrange a visit to read the lot.