Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Are footings needed for small porch and stairs
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godaddy
11-12-03, 07:51 AM
Still working through the details of the addition (3 season porch and 2nd floor office) and was noting that the designer did not specify footings under the 3 small porches that attach to the 3 season porch. That is, there are 3- 3'x3' porches, made from treated lumber, with stairs that lead to the entraces to the 3 season porch. One side will be supported by the main building and the outboard end will need to have 4 - 4x4 posts to support the structure and the stair railings.
I think I can just use those pre-fab concrete post feet to place the posts on with the concrete set on some compacted gravel. Would this be normal for the cold climate of MN or am I looking at having to dig at least 6 more 48" deep footings?
I think I can just use those pre-fab concrete post feet to place the posts on with the concrete set on some compacted gravel. Would this be normal for the cold climate of MN or am I looking at having to dig at least 6 more 48" deep footings?
godaddy
11-12-03, 08:12 AM
It was a simple floorplan jpg to illustrate what I'm talking about. I'll try a smaller size file:confused:
lefty
11-12-03, 05:05 PM
godaddy,
You are'nt going to be able to post an attachment or a photo in this forum. You can, however, post it on a website (like Yahoo, Angelfire, etc., etc.), and give us the URL. THEN we can see what you are talking about.
You are'nt going to be able to post an attachment or a photo in this forum. You can, however, post it on a website (like Yahoo, Angelfire, etc., etc.), and give us the URL. THEN we can see what you are talking about.
Doug Aleshire
11-12-03, 06:31 PM
godaddy,
As I am from Minnesota and dealt with all the codes there and still do. It is required that any new structure attached to an existing that has footings/foundation will have to have frost footings.
You apparently had a bad designer who failed to keep this in mind. It is not required to have footings if this was a detached structure, i.e. detached garage can have a floating slab or tool shed or gazebo but with what you have it, is not possible to do this as a free standing unit.
After one winter, with no frost footings, all will be going up and down with the freeze/thaw and it will be destroyed. I'm sure upon once your drawings are completed to apply for the permit, they will notice the lack of approved footings where needed.
Check with your local building official for confirmation.
Hope this helps!
As I am from Minnesota and dealt with all the codes there and still do. It is required that any new structure attached to an existing that has footings/foundation will have to have frost footings.
You apparently had a bad designer who failed to keep this in mind. It is not required to have footings if this was a detached structure, i.e. detached garage can have a floating slab or tool shed or gazebo but with what you have it, is not possible to do this as a free standing unit.
After one winter, with no frost footings, all will be going up and down with the freeze/thaw and it will be destroyed. I'm sure upon once your drawings are completed to apply for the permit, they will notice the lack of approved footings where needed.
Check with your local building official for confirmation.
Hope this helps!
godaddy
11-14-03, 11:41 AM
I suspected as much!
Just to confirm that we're on the same page...
The addition new 3 season porch itself will be on 6 frost footings, but the drawings do not show any footings for supporting the 3 entry porches. I have some other mod's / clarifications to make to the drawings so, if needed, I'll add these frost footings too.
As far as the picuture attachment thing, if all we can do is provide a url link to a picture, why does the option say "Attach file" and allow us to browse? it even says that a jpg is a valid extension. That's it! I'm going to pay a dime more for such shoddy workmanship ;) .
Just to confirm that we're on the same page...
The addition new 3 season porch itself will be on 6 frost footings, but the drawings do not show any footings for supporting the 3 entry porches. I have some other mod's / clarifications to make to the drawings so, if needed, I'll add these frost footings too.
As far as the picuture attachment thing, if all we can do is provide a url link to a picture, why does the option say "Attach file" and allow us to browse? it even says that a jpg is a valid extension. That's it! I'm going to pay a dime more for such shoddy workmanship ;) .
Doug Aleshire
11-14-03, 12:15 PM
godaddy,
If you like, see my profile and send me an e-mail of your project to me. My e-mail is on as well as the web link below. I can look at it later tonight.
Sorry, we had problems on the Forum with inappropriate pictures and if you provided a url, it was better idea to avoid disturbing the entire Forum.
Glad we're helping!
If you like, see my profile and send me an e-mail of your project to me. My e-mail is on as well as the web link below. I can look at it later tonight.
Sorry, we had problems on the Forum with inappropriate pictures and if you provided a url, it was better idea to avoid disturbing the entire Forum.
Glad we're helping!
godaddy
11-18-03, 01:11 PM
More footings it is. Hmmm, should the wife know about the 'little things' I keep finding? :eek:
If I ever get some good JPG's I can post somewhere, I'll try and get the details up on the board. Hey, do you have a 'project' forum for show-offs who would like to post a photo journal of their projects?
If I ever get some good JPG's I can post somewhere, I'll try and get the details up on the board. Hey, do you have a 'project' forum for show-offs who would like to post a photo journal of their projects?
Doug Aleshire
11-18-03, 09:42 PM
godaddy,
You're very welcome!
Sorry to say we don't, but that's a thought for Admin. Hope all goes well with your project.
Keep us updated on your progress!
You're very welcome!
Sorry to say we don't, but that's a thought for Admin. Hope all goes well with your project.
Keep us updated on your progress!
lefty
11-18-03, 10:37 PM
Godaddy,
Good idea about the 'project' forum, but I got a sneakin' hunch that all of the jpegs would be overdoing it. (It would never load!!) What you could do is to post the photos on a personal web page (Yahoo, Geocities, Angelfire, etc.) and then post the URL for us. That's been done in the past and works well.
Good idea about the 'project' forum, but I got a sneakin' hunch that all of the jpegs would be overdoing it. (It would never load!!) What you could do is to post the photos on a personal web page (Yahoo, Geocities, Angelfire, etc.) and then post the URL for us. That's been done in the past and works well.