Final thoughts on using pier blocks vs footings.How pier blocks are used in deck building.Definition and explanation of pier blocks.Overview of the debate between using pier blocks vs footings. Explanation of the importance of proper deck support.But can you really use pier blocks instead of footings? In this article, we'll take a closer look at the pros and cons of using pier blocks versus footings, so you can make an informed decision for your deck building project. Once the concrete hardens, you can't move it easily.One option is to use deck pier blocks instead of footings. Triple check all your locations and the height to which you'll pour to make sure all is right. The last thing you want to happen is for them to move as you shovel concrete into them. You typically don't have much wiggle room with anchor bolts once the concrete is hard.īe sure the forms you use for concrete piers are braced well. I would caution you to not put in anchor bolts in the concrete pier unless you have a foolproof method to ensure they are in the exact spot and the height of the pier is perfect. Place the vertical steel bars so they will not be in the way should you have to drill into the concrete pier to install anchors for a metal post base. The steel vastly increases the tensile strength of the concrete. Because of its large shape, it provides lots of resistance.īe sure you install steel reinforcing in all poured concrete piers. If the frost tries to lift the pier, it has to bring the footer with it. This way, once the pier is poured, it's connected to the large disc of concrete that makes up the footer. I place bent concrete steel rods in this footer that extend up into the tube. To prevent lift, I'll typically pour a concrete footer that's at least a foot wider in diameter than the pier. If you use the traditional round tube that has the same shape top and bottom, it's possible for the frozen ground to grab onto the pier at the top and actually lift it from the ground as the frozen soil moves up. This shape really helps prevent any frost heave from lifting the pier. This special base has the shape of a bell.Īs for best practices, I feel you need to make sure the bottom of the pier is wider than the top. There are new plastic forms that also work well, and I especially like the ones that have the funnel-shaped base that creates its own footer when you pour the wet concrete into the form. I've used the traditional round dense cardboard tube forms with great success. I would probably install concrete piers that I pour myself. This allows you to precisely position each pier so the deck posts are centered on the exposed pier. You can now drop plumb bobs or use a laser tool that project to the ground the exact position of where your deck posts will be. Once you ensure it's the right size, it's level, and it's square, you install temporary diagonal braces at the corners to keep the box square. I would then use simple wood posts to temporarily support this box in the air. If the deck you're building is a simple square or rectangle and it's not too far off the ground, I've found that it's best to construct the actual outline of the deck. You also need to be somewhat skilled to lay concrete block level and plumb. It's a lot of work, but it is a viable option. You then have to fill the cores of the concrete block with steel rods and a concrete mix to make them solid. You can also use concrete block to build your own piers, but this requires you to pour a concrete footing at the bottom of the hole for the block to rest on. The precast piers are very competitively priced when you consider how much it will cost you to buy the forms and possibly bring in a truck with all the concrete you'll need for all the piers. The only trouble with these piers is that you need a backhoe to move them and lift them into place. You can also purchase precast concrete deck piers that would be delivered to your home. This means that you have to dig the hole for the pier to the required depth, and then have the inspector come out and look at it before you proceed with any more work.Īs for your options, you can use any number of plastic or dense cardboard forms or tubes that will allow you to pour your own concrete pier. The local building inspector will probably want to check the soil to ensure it's strong enough. You'll be going there anyway to get a permit for this project as decks need to be inspected so they are safe. You can discover the frost depth in your area by contacting your local building department. This concrete pier is supporting several tons of weight.
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