Learn everything you need to know about installing concrete footings to support your deck.
Best concrete to use for deck footings.
Here are your options.
Fill the bottom of the hole with 6 inches of gravel and.
Beams can then be rested directly on the block footings.
That is assuming you are using a 4x4 which is 3 5 square.
Precast blocks that are available at home improvement centers usually are 12 inches square and 8 to 12 inches high.
This method functions by taking concrete blocks and laying them on a bed of gravel.
When constructing a deck in an area that receives minor amounts to no frost these piers often serve as suitable deck footings.
Like deck blocks concrete blocks also represent a cheap yet effective alternative for footing your ground level deck.
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.
You d be shocked at how many bags of concrete mix you d have to mix by hand to fill a form tube.
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.
If you re pouring more than a few footings order premixed concrete from a ready mix company.
Ensure a solid footing.
The footings are leveled using a string line.
You can get away with usually a 15 x15 base and then at least 6 thick so you don t crack the deck footing.
Use sakrete 5000 plus high strength concrete mixfor repair and building projects where concrete thickness is 2 inches or more and demands excellent strength.
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.
Some are made with notches designed to hold standard size posts beams and joists.
Save time and money on concrete with this style.
It is a professional grade blend of portland cement sand and gravel that is formulated for superior durability.
Which one you choose will depend on the size and height of your deck and the building codes in your location.
Decks and other permanent structures require deck supports and footings made from structural strength concrete mix.
If the area receives frost the piers can be installed above ground but they normally require additional support underneath.
Check out our deck footing frost map to help you understand how deep your footings will need to be excavated.
Precast concrete deck blocks are popular for building decks.
We will teach you how to determine the code compliant size of your footings based on the soil type and tributary loads.
Poured concrete footings buried post footings precast cement footings deck blocks and screw helical piles are all viable options for deck footings.