Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - ground footing versus patio footings

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PDA
nvsmom
06-02-02, 02:34 PM
Hi! We are going to build a 16x16 ft. deck, currently we have a cement patio that has been here for about 20 something years. It has no heaving or sinking problems. Can we use the concrete pads on top of the patio for our posts to sit in or must we dig down the recommended 48 ins. We put a smaller deck on last summer on the front of the house (7x20 ft.) and used the concrete pads on the concrete patio there. So far there has been no problems.

josh1
06-07-02, 02:14 AM
yes its very common to deck over a porch rather than remove it as long as its in fine structural shape

Hope this helps--Josh
pjb1
06-07-02, 06:16 AM
If you intend on attaching it to your house with a ledger, local building codes my require footings. You mentioned 48" recomendation, so you must be in a colder winter climate area. That means that theconcretre is moving somewhat during the seasons. Call your local building dept., they may say it has to be free standing.