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A Solid Deck Begins with Concrete Piers

Build this simple foundation with basic tools and ingredients

Build your deck on concrete piers, and you'll have a solid foundation that won't heave or twist as a result of frost or poor soil bearing capacity. Veteran builder Rick Arnold walks us through the how-tos of building deck piers. Rick explains how to size piers for a basic deck and shares his method for a precise layout. You'll also learn techniques for digging and pouring piers (which include valuable tool tips), when to use spread footings, and how to deal with poor soil bearing capacity.

From Fine Homebuilding180 , pp. 44-49 July 1, 2006