A deck post should always be placed on top of footing, not inside concrete because it can break. … Concrete tends to absorb moisture and wood expands when it gets wet, so these two factors combined will result in the wood breaking the concrete.
How far down should a deck post be?
Dig the holes six inches deeper than the required frost line depth for your area, and slightly wider than the concrete footer tubes you’ll be using. A power auger can make this step easier and faster.
Should you use 4×4 or 6×6 deck posts?
While there may be a handful of circumstances that only require the minimum 4×4 deck post, you will more than likely want to choose a 6×6 post for the deck. It provides more stability for larger decks, the ability to hold a heavier load, and more room for notching.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
2 feet is the minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for. To dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post’s aboveground height, is a general formula. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has.
Can you use 4×4 posts for a deck?
In the past, many decks were built with 4×4 support posts (also called structural posts). But these can bow seriously, even if a deck is only 3 feet off the ground. For that reason, we strongly recommend that you use 6x6s instead, even if your building department does not demand them.
How many posts do I need for a 12×16 deck?
A standard deck will need four footings parallel to the house, but they will need to be temporarily braced by 6 inch-by-6 inch posts. Using doubled boards, you will then need to build beams on the top row of the posts to frame the edges of the deck. These must be topped with adjustable post caps.
Can pressure treated posts be set in concrete?
Simply setting the posts in concrete does create a condition that will accelerate rot in the bottom of the posts. With pressure-treated posts, the rot will be slow. … Concrete should be poured around the post – no concrete under the post.
How deep should a 20 foot post be in the ground?
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post’s hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post.
What size footings do I need for a 6×6 post?
FOOTINGS: – Poured concrete footings should be a minimum of 8” wider than the posts (4×4 post – 12” min. width, 6×6 post – 14” min. width), a two level deck or deck with roof – 24”x24”. – The bottom of the footings must be a minimum of 36” below finish grade level.
How long will pressure treated 6×6 last in the ground?
5 Answers. A PT post will last a long time in concrete, maybe 5 to 10 years in soil alone.
Can I bury my deck posts in concrete?
This footing method involves pouring a concrete pad at least 12” thick at the base of your hole. Next, set a pressure treated wood support post rated for “ground contact” on top of the pad and backfill the soil into the hole.
Can you put deck posts directly in concrete?
Deck posts set in concrete increase rot and make it impossible to replace the post in the future if it is damaged. Also, in many jurisdictions, setting deck post in concrete is illegal; instead, deck posts need to be placed above the concrete footing extending below the frost line to 6″ (150mm) above grade.
Can you build a deck without concrete footings?
Building your dream deck without footings
Instead of using footings, adding a level of gravel will give you the drainage aspect you are looking for. You can then add a frame of wood that anchors in concrete blocks that sit in the gravel, creating your new deck.
How much does a 12×16 deck cost?
12×16-foot Raised Deck: You could build a 12×16-foot treated-lumber raised deck with stairs, for about $3,100 in materials. Hiring someone to do the work for you brings your total cost to $3,700-$9,500.
Can I build a deck with 2×6?
2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. … Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16″. Some builders reduce joist spacing to 12″ on center to strengthen the deck frame or to increase maximum allowable joist spans.
How deep should 4×4 deck posts be?
Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).
How many 4×4 posts do I need for a deck?
The larger 12-foot side will have a post spacing of 6 feet at a minimum code requirement. That makes a total of eight posts that need to be installed on this average size deck. For aesthetic or symmetry reasons, more posts may be added.
What size sonotube for a 4×4 post?
The rule-of-thumb is to use a tube diameter 3 times the post width, therefore use a 12” diameter Sonotube for a 4×4” post.
Should I use concrete for fence posts?
Concrete is the most secure material for setting fence posts, especially if you have sandy soil. … Using premixed concrete rather than dry concrete will ensure ultimate security. While concrete is sturdy, it lacks the drainage of gravel and can trap moisture, ultimately leading to rot.
How many bags of concrete do I need for a fence post?
Most fence post holes will need between 1 – 4 bags of concrete to securely hold the post in place. The best way to determine the size of the hole is: Diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the fence post. Depth of the hole is one-third to half the above ground height of the fence post.
How do you keep fence posts from rotting in concrete?
Consider Adding Posts to Concrete
From here, you should fill the hole with about 6 inches of gravel. This will prevent rotting by ensuring that the post is kept dry when water makes its way into the soil. Place the post in the gravel, then fill it with a batch of cement until it reaches the top of the hole.
How far can a 6×6 beam span without support?
What is the maximum span of a 6×6 beam? Each 6×6 beam only spans 12 feet, with 2 of those feet supported by a toggle. So technically, the rafters only extend 10 feet.