How deep should a deck post be in the ground?
Working with Pressure-Treated Lumber
- Wear a dust mask and eye protection when handling or cutting wood.
- Wash your hands after working with treated wood.
- Dispose of sawdust and waste according to local regulations.
- Don't burn pressure-treated wood.
- Don't use pressure-treated wood as mulch.
How deep do you have to dig for deck posts?
Dig footing holes about 6 inches deeper than required. Also, how far should deck posts be in the ground? In general, posts should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart. Some builders position them every 4 feet for a completely rigid frame. The maximum distance between footings is determined by the size of your joist material.
How do you determine deck post size?
- Beam ID, Job Name, etc.; similar as before.
- Length: This is the length from the bottom ofbeam. ...
- Maximum Live Deflection: This is for columns or studs subject to wind loading. ...
- Type of Column, Stud, or Post: Select the most appropriate. ...
- Load Duration: Our post will be subjected to 10 yrs live, just like the beam and joist from which its load came.
How to set a post for a fence or deck?
- Working time 10 hrs
- Start to finish 3 days
- Difficulty Kind of Hard
- Involves Power Tools, Carpentry Skills
How deep should 4x4 posts be for a deck?
Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).
Why deck posts should not be set in concrete?
Deck Posts Will Rot When Set in Concrete The concrete around the post is acting as a bowl holding water. Just like a concrete swimming pool holds water, so does concrete around a deck post. The rain falls and collects on top of the concrete with no place to go except into the post.
How deep should a post footing be?
Footings typically must extend below the frost line to prevent shifting during freeze-thaw cycles. Dig footing holes about 6 inches deeper than required. Fill the bottom of the hole with 6 inches of gravel and compact the gravel with a 2x4 or wood post.
How big should the hole be for a deck post?
Dig an 8"-diameter hole at least 6" deeper than your area's frost line for each 4x4 post, using a power auger, hand auger, or post-hole digger. A 6x6 post requires a 10"-diameter hole. Shovel a 6" layer of gravel into the hole to provide drainage.
Should deck posts be buried?
There are several ways to set deck posts; we recommend attaching the posts to concrete footers above the ground. This helps to prevent wooden posts from rotting. Set footers a minimum of 6” below the frost line for your area to prevent movement during freezing temperatures.
How long will a 6x6 treated post last in concrete?
A PT post will last a long time in concrete, maybe 5 to 10 years in soil alone. I suggest you embed the post in concrete, trowel a peak around the post so water runs off, and don't let the PT post come in contact with the ground.
How deep should an 8 foot post be in the ground?
For an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you'll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone.
How deep should a 6x6 post be in the ground for a deck?
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post's hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.
Do deck footings need rebar?
Plain concrete deck foundations without rebar are acceptable under the minimum standards of construction established in the International Residential Code. However, placing reinforcing steel within footings is a relatively easy and inexpensive practice that can provide increased performance.
How do you secure a 4x4 post to a deck?
1:102:29Build a Stronger Deck: Guard Post Connections - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse stainless steel fasteners 4x4 wood guard posts can be attached to the deck frame on the outsideMoreUse stainless steel fasteners 4x4 wood guard posts can be attached to the deck frame on the outside or the inside of the rim joist depending on your design. If your post is on the outside.
How big should the hole be for a 4x4 post?
12 inchesThe diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. So, if you're planning on using a four-inch round or 4x4-inch square post, your post hole will need to be 12 inches in diameter. For a six-foot-high fence post, we would need a hole that's 36 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter.
How do you set a 6x6 post for a deck?
0:155:12How To Build a Deck | Post Holes & Framing (2 of 5) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere are several methods for setting posts. One way is to pour concrete in the post hole. Set theMoreThere are several methods for setting posts. One way is to pour concrete in the post hole. Set the post on the concrete.
Pouring the Post Footers
You'll need the post layout marked before you begin. For details on creating a post layout, see How to Build a Deck: Design and Layout.
Setting the Posts
The posts attach to the footers with brackets. Once the posts are set, you'll cut them to the correct height.
Working with Pressure-Treated Lumber
Use fasteners and hardware labeled for treated lumber — stainless-steel or hot-dipped, galvanized screws.
Next Steps
With the frame secure, the decking can go on next. We'll show you how to install a couple of types of decking in How to Build a Deck: Wood Decking and Railings and How to Build a Deck: Composite Decking and Railings.
Nathan Richardson New Member
Before starting my deck project i was following a guide and it suggested digging holes 1/3 the length of timber. Height above ground is 800mm so I dug 400mm down. Posts are 100x100. There’s 5 of them across a 4.8m length.
Severntrent Screwfix Select
Use to put posts for 6ft high fence panels in at 600mm and these were subject to wind load as opposed to a decking structure which is a solid entity in it self so as long as ground is not **** a nominal depth should be OK.
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How high can you build a deck?
As mentioned above, code will also inform you how high you are allowed to build a deck using 4×4 support posts, which is usually never above 5’ from the footing to the deck surface.
How far apart should deck joists be?
The spacing of your joists indirectly affects how far apart you place your deck support posts. For example, most decks have joists that are spaced 16” on center. However, if you opt to space your joists only 12” on center you can have a much longer deck span – up to 2’ longer.
What does a deck beam span tell you?
What they do tell you is the maximum length of a beam for a particular joist span. For example, the table will be called something like “deck beam spans”. This is confusing because it is not only telling you the beam span but also telling you maximum distances you can space your deck support posts.
What is a 2 ply deck?
You are limited to two-ply beams – that means two pieces of lumber, such as two 2x8s nailed together for use as a deck support beam. When using a two-ply deck beam atop 4x4s, you are limited in terms of how far you can space your deck support posts.
How far off the ground can you use 4x4 deck support?
4×4 deck support posts cannot be used if a deck is more than 5’ off the ground. Some jurisdictions do not allow them at all, so check with your local building services office. 6×6 support posts require a minimum of 10” diameter footings. Beams must sit on top of deck support posts, using code-approved fasteners.
How long can a 2x12 beam span?
Because the maximum span a two-ply 2×12 can run is just over 9’. The maximum span indicates how long a beam can run supported by two deck support posts. A three-ply 2×12 would allow you to use only two deck support posts for the 10×10 deck. A beam of that size can span nearly 12’ while supporting 10’ joists.
Do you need a deck to fit a circular pool?
For instance, if you want to build a deck to fit your circular, above-ground swimming pool, then you are going to need a number of posts to fit the curve of the pool. However, you can still orient your joists to ensure the fewest amount of deck posts are required.
