Expert: David Coil/C. R. Construction - 3/23/2008

Question
I have a two story house with a walk out basement in the rear.There is a french door on the first floor sitting about 9 feet above grade.I am in need of two things --
1-A low maintenance covered deck
2-A storage area for lawn tractor etc.
My idea is to pour footers and install 12" concrete block  up to the pad location then step down to 8" concrete block and bring them up to about 48" above pad.The step down in block leaves me a 4" ledge to put the pan on.I plan to install stone on the 48" wall and cap it with blue stone.The overall size is to be 16'x16'.Below i plan to install a garage door in the block.
I am concerned about keeping the storage area below dry,do i need drains in the pad. I'm also concerned about how many and what size steel beams i should use below pad to support weight.My final concern is how to bring block columns up and how to tie the roof into them. I am open for any suggestions or changes you can offer.
Thank You.

Answer
For your covered deck..lay 40mil rubber on the joists...then composite decking on top.  Weather tight and weather resistant.
I would not step the blocks.  Instead incorporate some 1/2" bolts in the mortar...and bolt your stringer onto them. You are going to fill all the cores solid with concrete for bonding.