Precast concrete deck blocks are popular for building decks.
Best concrete to use for deck footings.
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.
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.
We will teach you how to determine the code compliant size of your footings based on the soil type and tributary loads.
Fill the bottom of the hole with 6 inches of gravel and.
Other than the digging and mixing concrete it s a flat concrete form that saves so much space transporting instead of big round sonotube forms.
Save time and money on concrete with this style.
Like deck blocks concrete blocks also represent a cheap yet effective alternative for footing your ground level deck.
Figure concrete volume by multiplying the height of the post and column in feet by the radius of the tube in feet squared times 3 14.
If you re pouring more than a few footings order premixed concrete from a ready mix company.
Which one you choose will depend on the size and height of your deck and the building codes in your location.
Dig footing holes about 6 inches deeper than required.
It is a professional grade blend of portland cement sand and gravel that is formulated for superior durability.
Poured concrete footings buried post footings precast cement footings deck blocks and screw helical piles are all viable options for deck footings.
The footings are leveled using a string line.
Flat concrete forms if you are fixed on using concrete footings for your deck foundation then i highly recommend this system that is very easy to use.
For a quick and dirty concrete foundation this method can do the trick.
Here are your options.
You d be shocked at how many bags of concrete mix you d have to mix by hand to fill a form tube.
Decks and other permanent structures require deck supports and footings made from structural strength concrete mix.
Ensure a solid footing.
This method functions by taking concrete blocks and laying them on a bed of gravel.
That is assuming you are using a 4x4 which is 3 5 square.
You can get away with usually a 15 x15 base and then at least 6 thick so you don t crack the deck footing.
Some are made with notches designed to hold standard size posts beams and joists.
Precast blocks that are available at home improvement centers usually are 12 inches square and 8 to 12 inches high.
Beams can then be rested directly on the block footings.