Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - deck posts
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jayp6773
04-18-05, 07:21 AM
I'm building a 12' x 12' deck. Do the posts have to be on pier blocks or can they just be inserted into a hole with concrete around them? the height of the deck is 24".
thanks,
Jason
thanks,
Jason
lefty
04-18-05, 08:05 AM
A deck that is only 24" above grade would not require a permit to build where I'm at. Check with your local bldg. dept. and see if it's the same for you.
You have 2 options for the posts, and NEITHER of them is to embed the posts in your footings, unless you are going to use steel posts. (Wood rots when you put it in the ground or in concrete.)
One option is to pour your footings, with at least an 8' X 8" cube in the center of the footing being above grade. Embed a post base (Simpson PB44, CB44, or similar) in the cube of wet concrete. Your posts attach to the base.
The other option is to set pier blocks in the wet concrete of the footing and attach the post to those, but (at least where I'm at) I would have to make the corner footings as described in the 1st option.
You have 2 options for the posts, and NEITHER of them is to embed the posts in your footings, unless you are going to use steel posts. (Wood rots when you put it in the ground or in concrete.)
One option is to pour your footings, with at least an 8' X 8" cube in the center of the footing being above grade. Embed a post base (Simpson PB44, CB44, or similar) in the cube of wet concrete. Your posts attach to the base.
The other option is to set pier blocks in the wet concrete of the footing and attach the post to those, but (at least where I'm at) I would have to make the corner footings as described in the 1st option.
jayp6773
04-18-05, 08:53 AM
lefty, they also have post spikes in two different sizes, 24" and 30" they are made of metal. do you think those would be ok. or would you still suggest using the post bases or piers?
Thanks again,
Jason
Thanks again,
Jason
lefty
04-18-05, 11:07 AM
Jason,
I don't know. I have never seen them for sale or used around here. That would lead me to believe that they aren't approved by either of the codes (UBC and CBC) that I have to build by. But another code (BOCA, IRC, etc.) may allow them. Guess the first thing you'll need to find out is what code your local bldg. dept. is following, then ask them about the post spikes.
Another issue to concider is frost. What is the frost line in Cleveland? Ask them that too.
Even though a permit MAY not be required to actually build the deck, it's certainly going to be in your best interest to build it to the required codes.
I don't know. I have never seen them for sale or used around here. That would lead me to believe that they aren't approved by either of the codes (UBC and CBC) that I have to build by. But another code (BOCA, IRC, etc.) may allow them. Guess the first thing you'll need to find out is what code your local bldg. dept. is following, then ask them about the post spikes.
Another issue to concider is frost. What is the frost line in Cleveland? Ask them that too.
Even though a permit MAY not be required to actually build the deck, it's certainly going to be in your best interest to build it to the required codes.
Hellrazor
04-18-05, 06:06 PM
Clevelands frost line has to be 36 or 40". We need 24" here and i always go 30-32" since we had a few instances of frost down to 30" in the last 5 years or so.
lefty
04-18-05, 06:52 PM
Hellrazor,
If you "frostline" is currently 24" and you've had frost to 30" in the past 5 years, expect your "frostline" to change in the very near future.
If you "frostline" is currently 24" and you've had frost to 30" in the past 5 years, expect your "frostline" to change in the very near future.