Free Standing Ground Level Deck Footings
Ground screw anchored footings the titan deck foot anchor is a fast and easy solution for supporting any light weight structure that is floating or free standing from a house.
Free standing ground level deck footings. While freestanding decks of any size can be built without footings that extend to the frost depth r403 1 4 1 frost protection exception 3 grade level decks are prime candidates for taking advantage of this code provision. Establish the highest and lowest points with a string and string level to get a rough idea of how deep to dig and how much gravel to put in to make the ground level deck footings blocks level figure a. Once your footings are buried below the frost line the ground will act as a barrier to insulate the soil below the footing from freezing in the winter. If you re building a simple deck footings and posts should be placed less than 8 feet apart.
This assumes the deck will be on level ground and not attached to your home with an estimated building time of 16 to 24 hours. Up from the bottom of the footing. The footings should be below the ground level. You can build the deck as close to the ground as you believe is possible and the footings could be as deep as you can dig as they do not occupy the same space.
Dig holes for posts these instructions review how to build a deck that will be approximately 8 feet wide and 10 feet long. There is no need to extend a footing below the frost line as is required for standard decks. Then dump concrete through the tube into the bottom of the hole. You just screw the auger portion into the ground using a lightweight hand held impact wrench and never experience any kick back.
Use a 48 long level and set the post plumb to the soil. When you pour concrete footings hold the cardboard concrete form tube about 12 in. No shallow footings required 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. Tamp the dirt with a block to make a firm base then spread the gravel.
This is the depth at which the moisture present in the soil is expected to freeze. 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. Attach pergola posts to the footings take your post and set it into the saddle. Frost line map for deck footing depth when you excavate your footings you will need to dig below the frost line.
Secure the post to the saddle by driving x 3 lag screws through the vertically aligned and embossed holes.