Above Ground Concrete Deck Footings

Precast concrete deck blocks are popular for building decks.

Above ground concrete deck footings.

Concrete footings are dug and poured directly into the ground. This type of footer requires a good deal of work as you have to dig below the frost line which can be over 70 deep in some parts of the country. Then dump concrete through the tube into the bottom of the hole. So you may want to build a deck that is lower to the ground.

Check out our deck footing frost map to help you understand how deep your footings will need to be excavated. When constructing a deck in an area that receives minor amounts to no frost these piers often serve as suitable deck footings. Here are your options. Do this by nailing the sides of the tube to the center of a tic tac toe grid of 2x4s at the top of the hole.

When you pour concrete footings hold the cardboard concrete form tube about 12 in. However most concrete deck blocks can only hold 4x4 posts not 6x6s and they have no lateral strength at the base of the post. Precast blocks that are available at home improvement centers usually are 12 inches square and 8 to 12 inches high. According to the main code provision for footings the only requirement for building a deck that is freestanding is that it must have a minimum footing depth of 12 inches below the undisturbed ground surface.

Also if you drop set the framing into the groove the underside of the joist is still 5 6 above grade. Use a posthole digger or power auger to dig six holes for footings of 8 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep. Once the hole is dug to the appropriate depth the concrete is poured in to form a strong pillar. Next set a pressure treated wood support post rated for ground contact on top of the pad and backfill the soil into the hole.

Above ground deck piers are precast tapered concrete blocks with a wide base that are intended to rest directly on the ground or a concrete base. They should be in rows parallel to each other. It s easy to see why if the deck wraps around half the pool. Some are made with notches designed to hold standard size posts beams and joists.

And that usually means lots of deck footings. All of this means tons of work digging mixing cement and money. Up from the bottom of the footing. There is no frost line since this is a freestanding deck.

We will teach you how to determine the code compliant size of your footings based on the soil type and tributary loads. Learn everything you need to know about installing concrete footings to support your deck. There is no need to extend a footing below the frost line as is required for standard decks. This footing method involves pouring a concrete pad at least 12 thick at the base of your hole.