Building a deck question

[funks 1]

I am having a huge deck built onto my house. It is going to be made out of trex material and will be about 15 feet off the ground...Last weekend they dug all the holes to pour the concrete and to set the footers. They just started yesterday on the footers, I noticed that they are not in the concrete but actually fastened to the top of the concrete. The holes themselves were about 3-4 feet deep.

I thought the purpose of digging the holes was to place the support beams or footers (or whatever the hell you call them) into the holes and then pour the concrete around it for stability. I called the contractor and mentioned this to him, he said that would be an inferior design because the wood would eventually rot. I didnt argue seeing that I know absolutely nothing about building decks.

My question is am I getting ripped off on the design? Should the support beams actually be in the hole? I dont see the purpose of the concrete and the support beams being fasted to the top of the concrete...Anybody know anything about this crap?

[Cornholio 0]

That's fine just the way it is. The wood has to be OFF the ground, otherwise it will rot - eventually. I'm sure he's using some type of joist or other fastener to secure the 4x4 to the concrete pillar.

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[funks 1]

yep, there is some metal thing (guess its a joist) fastened to the top of the concrete that they are putting the posts in...Just didnt seem right for some reason...glad to know it is.

[ifall 0]

When I was in college my summer job was building decks. Our standard practice was to dig 3-4 foot holes and throw the dry cement in which filled about 1 foot of the hole. Then we tamped it down real well. We then put the 6 by 6's in and filled around it with the rest of the dirt and tamped that down around it. As long as they are fastened though, the way you described is acceptable. Are they getting inspetors to sign off on it? We had to because it was mostly for new developments.

[funks 1]

Quote

Are they getting inspetors to sign off on it? We had to because it was mostly for new developments.

Yep, the county is going to sign off on it. This too is a brand new house in a brand new development...

[Kris 0]

Above is best. If the wood ever rots, it's a lot easier to replace that way.

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[Brains 2]

Quote

Above is best. If the wood ever rots, it's a lot easier to replace that way.

Agreed, i built mine with the posts in the concrete. However, i don't plan on being in this house by the time it rots. The concrete footings are supporting the posts. The posts are fastened to the footings, not a problem at all.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[councilman24 37]

As stated above, your fine. The concrete footings have to go to below the frost line so they don't heave when the ground freezes. The wooden posts should be above the concrete on metal fasteners to prevent rot. This is being done right.

Now if rim joists are let into the posts, even better.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[monkycndo 0]

It's a code issue. Only wood treated with .60 pressure treatment or heart redwood can be buried below grade or set in concrete. Otherwise, the post must be set on a steel bracket set 1" above concrete slab. If the post is on a concrete column footing, the wood must be set 6" above soil. They did the right thing.

Monkeyboy

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[GeordieSkydiver 0]

I built a deck once, it was beautiful, the prettiest most complex thing I ever built.

Then there was a breeze and all the cards fell over..

Lee _______________________________

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