Anybody ever build a deck with a floating foundation?

berettafan · 06-12-2007, 05:31 AM

Been thinking about using those pre-cast concrete piers (dek-block) for my deck as a way to save time and cash (ie divert more funding to the cash monster in the garage) and would like to know if anyone here has tried this. i kinda like the idea of a low to the ground deck with no railings and i could probably do this myself with minimal assistance.

thanks for any input-

Erik

Rot 911 · 06-12-2007, 05:47 AM

As long as you are setting them on compacted solid ground you should have no problem using them.

on-ramp · 06-12-2007, 05:48 AM

If you live in the northeast, the ground sinks with the cold weather. That's why the concrete tubes have to be at least 3 feet into the ground.
I recently built a multi-level deck and this was the case.
You may want to check with your town about the requirements.

notfarnow · 06-12-2007, 06:19 AM

I'll be using them when I replace my deck this summer. A low deck on deck blocks can be tweaked & adjusted, if needed.

In some cases, concrete tubes are way more of a PITA than they're worth. My ground really holds water and heaves dramatically. It "spit out" a 4' deep concrete post from my neighbor's yard, and his fence is set in 'crete and it moves every year.

berettafan · 06-12-2007, 06:24 AM

i'm in Maryland and the soil the deck would be on is thick clay. it is a real beyotch to dig into at all. if i were to use the floating pier system i probably would not attach the deck to the house at all and just butt it up against the poured foundation. seems like it would be heavy enough not to move any but i am no expert on this stuff.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

We're pouring a concrete pad for a patio right now and my neighbor who's doing the work required me to dig the footings 36-40" deep. We have sandy loam soil and clay is 8' down, so it's easy to dig. According to my neighbor, we need to be sure the footings are below the frost line (we're in MI) and this will ensure quality results. Hope this helps...

Porsche_monkey · 06-12-2007, 07:17 AM

Yes, but it sat on 3/4" threaded rod and nuts to level it each summer.

Rot 911 · 06-12-2007, 07:44 AM

If you are pouring footings, yes they need to be below the frost line. However, if it is a true "floating" deck, i.e., not attached to the house, then the above ground footings should work just fine. Again assuming they are not on soft soil where they would sink.

Flatbutt1 · 06-12-2007, 07:49 AM

how do you think those footings would work on very rocky soil?

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

It's not just 3' into the ground, it's actually below the frost line. Yes, in most cases, 3' will suffice, but not always. . .

Do you have a soils report or any sort of knowledge where the frost line is? 3' will work usually, but if you're wrong you can get heaving of the footings and resulting damage to the structure.