Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Up to code?

I have a new ranch house with a 25' farmers porch in front.
I argued with the sub that the posts for the porch need to be on concrete above grade. Currently the 4x4 posts are 36" into the ground on a concrete footer. In other words the supporting posts are resting on the footer with no attachments, anfd back filled with dirt.
To me this is wrong. Even though it's PT wood, it still will wick up water and over time rot the suppoting posts prematurely.
Any ideas of how to prove him wrong so he has to fix it? :alarm:

Thanks

JB

I have a 12' x 22' deck. the contractor poured piers with the wood on top of the concrete. When I had an enclosed room built on the deck this summer, the building department required several additional supports. The company that built the enclosure just dug holes, poured a concrete footer, and backfilled against the PT 4x4's. The building inspector checked to see that the holes were below the frost line but otherwise approved the construction.
I guess, in my corner of the world, either is acceptable.

What you have is very common. It is certainly not they way I would have my deck supported. I think the best way is to use concrete below grade with a connector on top. Then wood from there up.

It may be allowed in your area, since a code is not the correct way to do it but a way that is acceptable to meet minimum standards. The PT post is not going to move off the footing. The PT will eventually rot depending on the exposre. fortunately, you have a footing to put some concrete on in the future.

It is all up to the local inspector. If you wanted something beyond the minimum, you must specify it.

"You are not be wrong going by the code, but you may not be right!"

Dick

I do live in Maine where rain and snow are a on going threat.
Clay in this area is also a factor. Thank you for your4 inputs. :alarm: