My location- W. Pennsylvania, Northern WV. Best way to install PT posts for deck.
1. Dig hole below frost line, set post directly on dirt in bottom of hole, build deck, fill hole completely w/ concrete. I have built decks like this w/ no problem whatsoever yet I read of many alternatives methods, e.g.:
2. Pour footer, let set for a day or so, place post on footer, backfill with dirt / gravel. Problem with that is I want to build deck same day I dig hole and layout. I want to be done w/ job in some cases in 1 day.
3. Use method #1, but put plastic around post?
4. Sonotubes -seem like an unecessary pain?
My main goal it to do it right, yet do complete job (obvioulsy not a complicated deck), in one day. Tricks of trade to accomplish this? Thanks for your thoughts!
Replies
you should learn more about how concrete sets up first and why it takes an extra day with sono tubes even then it can still be to green to use .I would have to say do it right or specialize in something else then you won`t have to mess with it
You want a serious and thorough answer? Well, then you have to give more info.
How big are these decks?
How high off the ground?
What's the depth to the frost line?
4x4 Posts?
Do you want the post to be at least partially buried?
How do you intend to dig the holes?
How many guys you working with?
How you going to mix the concrete?
What do you consider minimum dimension for the footing?
With this info. we can get a better handle on what you are trying to accomplish. Half of the equation is method, the other half is sequence. They are inseperable.
Frankie
There he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.
—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Let's use 12' x 16' as E.g.
10 ' high
frost line here 36"
6X6 posts
Setting posts- one method I've considered would be to dig holes approx. 14" +/- wide and approx 42" deep. Pour concrete footing approx. 6" thick. Building deck on temp. posts fastened to sides of perimeter joists. When conc sets install beam carried by notched posts.
2 man auger to dig, 2 man crew for this job
concrete mixing by hand in mortar box (I've heard guys talk of dumping dry conc mix in hole and adding some water - they say it sets fine but I'm leary)
With these methods I'm still stuck there more than one day, even for a small deck. How to do a proper job and get in/out in one day??? THANKS!
I think you are confusing methods used for building fences with structural posts for decks.Decks have piers which should come 3" - 6" above grade. That's a lot of concrete to mix if you are digging 14" diam holes and not using Sonotubes. And you intend to mix by hand? You're a stronger man than I.I think you are dreaming if you think this could be done in a day. You MAY be able to do 5/ week but not 1/ day.I see it as:Dig holes and pour forms and precut all/ most lumber to dimension = 1/2 day. Go to the job you started yesterday and nail together the precut lumber. Backfill holes.RepeatI am thinking 10 - 12 hr days too. The more you do, the faster your speed. It is all about systems.Frankie
There he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.
—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
In No 1, what is the purpose of pouring concrete around the post? It does a great job of ensuring that the post stays wet, but other than that, I'm not sure what the concrete is for.
So in the event the post shrinks and sinks down in the muck, it has a nice concrete shaft to slide on?A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Thanks for the short / sweet logical response. Any help on how to do a proper job on the posts, yet be able to get in/out in one day for a small deck job? THANKS!
You say above you would use a 6'' thick footing.
Pour the footing b/4, dig the hole, drop it in and carry on with the rest of the job.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Hammer, the concrete is to make sure the post rots as soon as possible.
If you set wooden posts into the ground in any fashion, replacing them when they rot will be he11. And they will rot.
Yikes!!! I've built many a deck and you're scarin' me. How long do these decks have to last? Are they for movie sets or low income housing? Maybe illegal labor you round up every morning and don't want to instruct them all over again?
If that's the case, pour all the footings at each site in one day and trundle everyone around for the week.
10' 6x6 posts? Sonotubes with rebar inside, 3-4 inches above final grade. Let cure for at least 3 days (5 would be better). Use post connectors.
Sorry, no easy answer on this one. I'm not sure you're going to find the answer you want on this site.
NCtim
Try these.
http://www.redifooting.com/
I used them on a recent porch project where I didn't want to wait for concrete to set up. They worked great!
Edited 6/7/2006 6:25 pm ET by fingers
What a brilliant idea! For $32/ post it is a bargain - if you are doing a budget and time sensitive job. This is exactly what rcj9 needs.Frankie
There he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.
—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas