How deep should my Deck footings be?
The depth of your deck footings depends largely on where you live and your climate. Why? Well, it’s all down to the frost lines. Have you never heard of frost lines before?
How deep is the frost line on a deck footer?
The deck footing frost line can vary by feet in the U.S. In warm southern Florida, it might only be one foot deep or less. In Minnesota or Maine, near the Canadian border, it might approach 8 feet. Your local building department can advise you as to the frost-line depth in your city or town.
How deep do you have to dig down for Frost footings?
The depth you are required to set your frost footings will vary from region to region across the country. If you live in a warm climate, like South Florida, where frost rarely ever occurs, you may be allowed to place your footings on grade, but in very cold regions, like Minnesota and Canada, you will need to dig down 96 inches or more.
What is the minimum depth for footings in Zone 2?
Minimum footing depth. In the absence of a determination by an engineer competent in soil mechanics, the minimum allowable footing depth in feet due to freezing is five feet in Zone I and 3-1/2 feet in Zone II.
What is code for deck footings MN?
Footings must extend to frost depth (42 inches minimum) and are required for any deck that is attached to a dwelling or garage that has frost footing. Bottom of footing must be belled to 4 inches larger than tube used.
How deep should my footing be for my deck?
For most deck applications, in most jurisdictions, the width of a footing should be 20 inches round and a minimum of 24 inches deep. It is important that the base of the footings be solid, and in many cases you will need to keep digging until you reach undisturbed soil.
What size footings are required for a deck?
FOOTINGS: - Poured concrete footings should be a minimum of 8” wider than the posts (4x4 post – 12” min. width, 6x6 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.
Do you need a license to build a deck in MN?
Building permits are required for decks with the following exceptions: Freestanding decks (decks not connected to a structure), regardless of size, do not require permits if they are not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade.
How many footings do I need for a 12x16 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.
Do I need rebar in deck footing?
Plain concrete deck foundations without rebar are acceptable under the minimum standards of construction established in the International Residential Code. However, placing reinforcing steel within footings is a relatively easy and inexpensive practice that can provide increased performance.
How many footings do I need for a 10x12 deck?
Quick Attached Deck Footing ChartSize of DeckBeam SizeNumber of Footings8' x 10'(2) 2×8210' x 10'(2) 2×8210' x 12'(3) 2×8212' x 12'(2) 2×634 more rows
How many footings do I need for a 10x10 deck?
A freestanding 10' x10' deck needs 4 posts, supporting two pairs of 2-ply non-incised 2×8 beam, upgrading the beam to 3-ply using incised wood.
What is the best footing for a deck?
A poured concrete footing is a good option when building a large deck that sits high up from ground level. Concrete is extremely strong and able to withstand extreme forces and substantial weights. A poured concrete footing is created by digging a hole and pouring concrete into it.
Do you need a permit for a deck next to your house?
As a general rule, you need a permit for any deck that is higher than 30 inches off the ground. This guidance applies to most decks. Anything lower than 30” is often considered a patio or “porch deck,” and a permit is typically not required.
How close to a property line can you build a deck?
For common lots, yard structures under six feet high may be located up to any property line subject to building or fire code limitations. Yard structures six feet in height or over shall be located at least three feet from any property line and shall not exceed 12 feet in height. 4. Elevated Decks.
How far can deck joists span?
Decking boards span from joist to joist. If you use 5/4 decking, joists must be no farther apart than 16 inches. Decking with boards with a 2x4 or 2x6 span can be 24 inches. If you run decking at an angle, you might need to put the joists closer together.
How many footings do I need for a 10x10 deck?
A freestanding 10' x10' deck needs 4 posts, supporting two pairs of 2-ply non-incised 2×8 beam, upgrading the beam to 3-ply using incised wood.
How deep should 4x4 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 footings do I need for a 12x12 floating deck?
For an attached 12 x 12' deck, you'll need at least 3 footings, plus at least 2 more if you're planning on building stairs with it.
How deep should a footing be?
Depth of Footings Footings should extend to a minimum depth of 12 inches below previously undisturbed soil. Footings also must extend at least 12 inches below the frost line (the depth to which the ground freezes in winter) or must be frost-protected.
What happens when you bury a footing in the ground?
Once your footings are buried below the frost line the ground will act as a barrier to insulate the soil below the footing from freezing in the winter.
Do you have to dig a foundation deeper than a flat surface?
If you are building into the side of a steep hill or beside a retaining wall you will have to maintain the minimum distance to grade not only vertically but also laterally. In order to achieve a suitable lateral barrier you may need to dig your foundation much deeper than on a flat surface.
What is black footing?
This black footing is designed to spread the weight load of a deck over a wide area, hence the need for fewer footings. The IRC requires frost footings to be installed for all decks that are attached to a house in most climate zones. These footings will have to be inspected to make sure they are capable of supporting your deck and will resist damage from frost. Because footings are installed under ground, they will have to be composed of materials that won’t decay. Usually, footings are made of concrete. There are many different methods for installing footings, and each type offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Installing frost footings usually involves making a mess of your yard and often requires some hard labor if you do it by hand.
What are deck footings made of?
Because footings are installed under ground, they will have to be composed of materials that won’t decay. Usually, footings are made of concrete.
Why are footings important?
Footings are a very important component of deck construction because they provide the solid foundation that will support your deck. Your deck’s design will determine how live and dead loads are transferred from different sections of the deck to concentrated points of contact with the ground. The more footings your deck has to distribute ...
What is a pier on a deck?
A pier is often used as an upright support to connect the buried footing pad to the structural post above grade. The soil conditions and the climate will determine the size and depth of your footings. This black footing is designed to spread the weight load of a deck over a wide area, hence the need for fewer footings.
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How many decks are required for center spacing?
Some inspectors in my area have a “magic number” for on center spacing, while others only require 2 per deck regardless of size.
What is structure tech?
Structure Tech specializes in the moisture testing of buildings for the purpose of determining if there is moisture located behind the exterior wall cladding. A moisture inspection of your property has been requested.
Can girders be supported on ledgers?
Section R507.2.2 says “ Girders supporting deck joists shall not be supported on deck ledgers or band joists.” The photo below shows what this means.
Do you need to sign a moisture test form?
This form must be completed and signed prior to us conducting any moisture testing. We cannot perform the moisture testing requested by the buyers without this form being signed.
Can you paint siding with a hole?
We will make every effort to use a caulk that closely matches the color of the surrounding siding; however in some cases the holes may be noticeable upon close inspection . If the holes are of any cosmetic concern the property owner can have them painted with a matching paint.
Is there a deck code in Minnesota?
There has never been much in the Minnesota State Building Code specific to decks, but now there is. Just browse to section 507 of the 2015 Minnesota Residential Building Code to see it all. It’s not much, but it’s a lot more than what we used to have.
How deep should a seismic slab be?
In Seismic Design Categories D 0, D 1 and D 2, interior footings supporting bearing or bracing walls and cast monolithically with a slab on grade shall extend to a depth of not less than 12 inches (305 mm) below the top of the slab.
What is the minimum compressive strength of concrete?
Concrete shall have a minimum specified compressive strength of f ' c , as shown in Table R402.2. Concrete subject to moderate or severe weathering as indicated in Table R301.2 (1) shall be air entrained as specified in Table R402.2. The maximum weight of fly ash, other pozzolans, silica fume, slag or blended cements that is included in concrete mixtures for garage floor slabs and for exterior porches, carport slabs and steps that will be exposed to deicing chemicals shall not exceed the percentages of the total weight of cementitious materials specified in Section 4.2.3 of ACI 318. Materials used to produce concrete and testing thereof shall comply with the applicable standards listed in Chapter 3 of ACI 318 or ACI 332.
How many inches of fill is required for a concrete stem wall?
Concrete stem walls that are not monolithic with slabs-on-ground or are not otherwise laterally supported by slabs-on-ground and retain 48 inches (1219 mm) or less of unbalanced fill, measured from the top of the wall, shall be constructed in accordance with Section R404.1.2.
What is the code for precast concrete?
Precast concrete foundations shall be designed in accordance with Section R404.5 and shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and the manufacturer's installation instructions.
How high above the ground should a foundation be?
On graded sites, the top of any exterior foundation shall extend above the elevation of the street gutter at point of discharge or the inlet of an approved drainage device a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) plus 2 percent. Alternate elevations are permitted subject to the approval of the building official, provided it can be demonstrated that required drainage to the point of discharge and away from the structure is provided at all locations on the site.
What type of steel is used for knee wall?
Fasteners used below grade to attach plywood to the exterior side of exterior basement or crawlspace wall studs, or fasteners used in knee wall construction, shall be of Type 304 or 316 stainless steel.
How far from the bottom of a foundation should a 4 bar be?
4 bar within 12 inches (305 mm) of the top of the wall and one No. 4 bar located 3 inches (76 mm) to 4 inches (102 mm) from the bottom of the footing.
Why should water pipes be set below a frost line?
Water pipes should always be set below a frost line to prevent them from freezing in the winter. It’s also important that the footings for a building or a deck well below the frost line so the posts don’t shift as the ground freezes and thaws.
What is the best way to dig a hole?
An auger is the fastest way to dig holes and can save you a lot of time and money even with the cost of renting.
How deep is the frost line?
The maximum frost line depth is 100-inches as seen near the tip of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Alaska, all the way to zero inches in Florida, southern Arizona, and southern California.
Do sprinklers have to be buried in the ground when digging?
Anytime you are digging, it’s best to know the frost line as you will know how deep the water pipes are so you can avoid them. Here in Los Angeles where the ground doesn’t freeze, the irrigation and sprinkler pipes are not buried very deep, so you need to be extra careful when digging around them.
Who is Timothy Dahl?
Timothy Dahl. Timothy is the founder and editor of Charles & Hudson and former editor at Popular Mechanics, This Old House, and Lifehacker. His work has been published on Wired, Bob Vila, DIY Network, and The Family Handyman.