This weekend I’m redoing a front porch and decided to use a product called redi-footing instead of sonotubes, pouring concrete, post brackets etc. Each redi-footing consists of a plastic base piece (maybe about 10″ in diameter) which goes in the hole followed by a length of 4″ Sched 40 PVC pipe which comes up to just below grade level, then a plastic cap piece with a saddle area in the top into which the wood post or beam fits. It’s a very simple system and eliminates the waiting for concrete to cure. Each redi-footing is rated for 27,000 lbs.
Because I had a question about resisting uplift, and no paperwork came with the plastic pieces, I called the company. Apparently, the thing was designed by a retired carpenter who brought it into production. He’s quite ill now so the business is being run by his grand daughter, who is now basically running a one-woman show. (Single Mom, two kids, dog barking in the background when I was on the phone with her)
To complicate her plight further, she explained to me that the lawyer who her grandfather originally used to set up the company is now claiming that he was granted an ownership interest in the company and she’s trying to fight that. I realize that I’ve only heard her side of the story, but I’d sure hate to see the company fold because the product seems so slick. (I have no ownership interest or any other interest in the company other than using the product.)
I just wanted to pass the info on about a cool, convenient product that I’ll certinly use again.
Replies
bump
'Nemo me impune lacesset'
No one will provoke me with impunity
I remember reading about this product. I thought
it would really be great as I have yet to repair
my front steps. But I also remember that you
need to run it by the local building inspector
as it needs to pass muster.As workable as I remember the idea to be
it wasnt really cheap. Still, I hope
it doesnt disappear.
there is a similar product called "Big Foot" I think, that sonotubes attach directly to. The top of the form has steps for different diameter sonotubes.
Product fingers used does not involve concrete.[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
Oh, neat! I didn't catch that part.
how much do they cost and do they have different sizes?
http://www.redifooting.com/Bruce
Between the mountains and the desert ...
It was $29 for one base and cap set. The sched 40 PVC was supplied by me.
I can see how they get the strength in compression, but what about lateral/shear strength? Real structures experience loads other than gravity. If those timbers get pushed sideways, what prevents the hollow PVC pipe from splintering?
I kinda wondered about that myself. Does the earth/ground packed around the PVC prevent sideways movement?
I'm no engineer but as far as resisting lateral loads goes, I don't see much difference between how a concrete filled sonotube up to grade level with a post bracket on top would act vs this animal. Now if you're talking about extending the concrete above grade all the way to the supporting beam, no question, that would resist lateral loads much better than the redi-footing.
I belive the resistance to lateral loads with this (or with the sonotube to grade level and the post bracket on top then the post up to the supporting beam) must come from the connection of the deck or porch to the ledger, or from diagonal supports built into the system.
Am I wrong?
Also, the cost of these vs concrete must include the sonotube, bracket, concrete, and the time for the 'crete to set. I'd say the labor is slightly more with the concrete.
As I see it the biggest differece between the Redi-Footing and a crete filled tube is the rigidity of the "tube". Hollow 4" PVC with dirt packed around it is probably very strong in compression -- vertical loads, and as you say it probably isn't much different than a sonotube in that condition. But even if the Redi-Footer bracket is at grade level, the dirt surrounding the top few inches of the PVC pipe could loosen and move around, or it could simply errode over time. Then you'd have a lever arm acting on the hollow PVC pipe when a lateral load is applied. I can't imagine it being stronger than the same diameter column of concrete if a side load is applied. Side loads are probably not an issue for a low deck, but what if somebody used them as footers for a shed or elevated deck where wind loads are present? When I checked the Redi-Footing site, it says all bets are off and no warranty if the PVC tubes are filled with conrete -- go figure ;-)