Gravel Under Deck Footing
A puny little deck on inadequate footings doesn t stand a chance.
Gravel under deck footing. I live in the state of georgia and i am having a couple of second story decks built. Per square inch enough force to lift even a large building. Where you may think twice about building an elevated deck with shallow footings the safety risk from the frost heaving that shallow footings may experience on a grade level deck is very low. A layer of gravel hides ground cloth or plastic dirt prevents weeds and provides a clean and uniform look.
I called the inspector for a. Pads run 80 for six 10 pads. We will teach you how to determine the code compliant size of your footings based on the soil type and tributary loads. Using colored gravel or different sized aggregate can further improve aesthetics.
Deck footings come in a variety of sizes for various sizes of posts ranging from 10 pads to 24 pads. Gravel under deck footings also keeps water from pooling under them and causing damage to deck support. Dig a hole of at least 36 inches. You still have to dig footing holes.
A mud hole or weed bed under a deck is not very attractive. Check out our deck footing frost map to help you understand how deep your footings will need to be excavated. Larger pads are more expensive. The main code provision for footings that applies to freestanding decks r403 1 4 calls for a minimum footing depth of 12 inches below undisturbed ground surface.
I called the inspections office in my area and spoke to the lead inspector in my area and he told me the same thing but couldn t tell me why gravel isn t needed under the poured concrete. Our contractor is telling me that a layer of gravel is not needed under the concrete footers. Learn everything you need to know about installing concrete footings to support your deck. When used beneath a concrete footing.
When building a deck on a home with a. Ice exerts a pressure of about 50 000 lbs. Plug the post hole with interchanging layers of gravel and soil and tightly pack each one as you go until the hole. Position the columns in an upright position.
Place about 6 inches of gravel into the hole along with a wood footer plate. Compacted gravel around wood posts allows for adequate drainage and keeps water away from the wood which helps to prevent rot and extend the life of the deck.