Ok, so the measurement before the first slab pore was short. The pillar (one of four) holds a patio roof that is 10 by 30 feet. Could the thin additional pore be absolutely fine to hold these pillars (if all steps needed for correction were taken)? Or is this so messed up you simply should think about redoing the whole slab in one shot? What are your concerns and questions I should be asking the builder? Thanks everybody for pointing me the right way…
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Listeners write in about insulating an attic roof in a balloon-framed house, sizing a new heat-pump system, attaching extension jambs to a window or exterior door, and more.
Featured Video
How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post CornersHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
This is stupid they must fix this!!!!
I’m not totally sure about what I’m looking at, but the post should land on a proper footing at frost depth. The footings should not be poured with the slab. They need to be isolated with expansion material. If the slab heaves with frost/thaw it will take the posts with them. The posts need to stay put. If you live in a region where there is no freezing, maybe it’s okay. They do make cementitious concrete toppings that are actually stronger than concrete, but kind of dumb that you would need to install that on a new slab. They might be able to cut the slab and plan it out so that the cut area looks like a control joint and not a patch.
Looks like the load bearing is the double nailed 2x4 resting on the concrete pour.
The part with the wood blocking is sheathing no mathematical value to bear weight.
The footing Concrete pier needs to have a depth below your frost line 36 inches +/~ on where you are.
Looks like they were making a esthetic box off the double 2x4 post. However it’s incomplete and seems they made it imo harder on themselves with some of their choices.
The sheathing part of the box needs to be wrapped to prevent moisture from rotting it away. Prior to what ever finish element that had in mind.
Thanks guys...comments are helpful and appreciated. I’ll throw out a couple details and my takeaway (you obviously know more than me).
Clarification points: a). Weather — 0 to 10 freezes per year...0 to 5 hard freezes per year. Is North Florida. a). Picture — concrete portion to the bottom right hand corner was from the first poring of concrete. Builder realized later...oops the patio should be out further to be where the patio post holding the patio roof should land. To the top left they then pored a second time and now that post lands on that thin pore with a new concrete pier sticking up.
My takeaway from the comments: a). This still could be structurally okay...the key is the footing (focus on the depth) underneath the concrete pier. b). There are strong concrete toppings that could be laid to make this aesthetically acceptable.
Thanks if you wind up coming back to this.
It looks like frost depth for Florida is between 0 to 5”, so freezing is not as much of a concern, but should confirm w/ FL code for footing size. I can’t tell, but it looks like there is more wood structure on the front side of column with a metal strong tie to attach it to the concrete. Ideally the wood that the metal tie is attached should be treated and proper dimension lumber for your post application (can’t really see that). Should check on that as well. If it’s getting inspected a building inspector will let you know. There are toppings like concrete resurfacers, but need to be prepped and installed properly. If bonded to the slab properly the surface will actually be stronger than a standard concrete surface.
Is this a patio slab and is only supporting a roof system of some kind. Does the slab have a thickened perimeter beam (footing) with reinforcing/rebar? How thick was the original slab. How thick was the added slab. How was it tied to the existing concrete slab.
Need a little more information.
There’s a pretty decent sized hold down in there. I suspect any problems are all cosmetic
Fire the contractor and don't give them another dime. Hire someone who knows what they're doing and have them tear out the botched slab and replace it.
Pore pore slab!!