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Deck Design and Why Firm Foundations
are Critical
To Prevent an Unlevel and Unusable Deck it’s
Important to Dig Deep for the Deck Foundation or Deck Piers
By
Mark J. Donovan
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With any major home construction project a good deck
design starts with a firm foundation. Deck designs, or a contractor,
that simply suggest constructing the deck on level soil, or resting it
on a few level concrete blocks, aren’t worth their salt and should be
avoided at all costs. I guarantee you that within a few weeks or months
of not situating your deck on a solid foundation your deck will be
unlevel to the point that it may be completely unusable. One winter
season will absolutely cause your newly constructed deck to heave and
sink.
To build a firm deck foundation you first need to dig, and dig deep. |
It is important that the base of the foundation or deck piers sit below
the average frost line for your climate area. If you do not do this, the
freezing and unthawing soil will push up on the base of the foundation walls
or deck piers and cause them to heave and sink. And the heaving and sinking
never occurs evenly, which ultimately causes the deck to become unlevel and
useless.
Besides starting the deck piers or foundation bases below the average frost
line for your area, it is also important that they extend upwards above the
ground level. They should extend out of the ground at least 8 inches from
the lowest point of the deck to ensure proper drainage and to protect the
lumber from ground moisture damage. The finished level of your deck however
should not be higher than the entrance to your home. Otherwise you may have
a problem with water running off the deck and entering your home.
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Your deck design could include foundation walls, sono-tubes
filled with concrete, or pre-cast concrete piers. All are acceptable,
however the sono-tube approach is probably the most common. The diameter of
the sono-tubes or deck piers used depends upon the expected weight of the
deck and the size deck posts you plan to use. The sono-tubes can be inserted
into the ground after digging the holes using a post-hole digger. The
concrete can then be poured into the sono-tubes. The installation of
pre-cast concrete deck piers, as well as putting in a full foundation,
requires the use of a backhoe and/or excavator. |
Another factor in deck design and firm foundations is to make sure the
deck posts are anchored to the foundation, deck piers, or sono-tubes with
non-corrosive fastening brackets. They also help to protect the base of the
deck posts from water damage.
Finally, before breaking ground on your new deck, make sure to visit your
local building inspector to have him review and approve your deck plans. He
can also provide you with the information you need on how deep to dig your
holes or deck foundation walls. Upon granting his/her approval, he/she will
provide you with a building permit that you’ll need to keep posted near the
deck construction project. The building inspector will also want to come out
and expect your deck project during various phase of the construction.
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For more help on building a new Deck, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Deck Installation Bid Sheet.
The
Deck Installation Bid Sheet
will teach your how to hire the right deck contractor, and help to ensure that your
deck project is completed on time and budget.
How to Finance your Deck Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related Information
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