Deck Building

I am in the process of tearing down my old deck and building a new one. If anyone here knows anything about building codes, please tell me.

Are these things OK for setting posts for the frame? I don't intend to do a half-assed job but if I can avoid the expense of renting an auger and mixing cement it would be a big help.

Thanks.

 

Building codes are area/state dependent, so you'll have research what's legal in F'burg or call the gov't authority that controls it.

I found their website. https://www.fredericksburgva.gov/899/Building-Codes

Here's the website with pdfs of VA's codes. https://vbcoa.org/resources/codes/

 

You may want to reach out to your city, a lot of times they have a guide (my town for example https://www.erieco.gov/DocumentCent...ly-Residential-Uncovered-Decks-and-Por?bidId= ) and it will tell you (the homeowner) what is acceptable and what is not. Should also tell you if you need a permit or not.

 

Seems to me water could collect in those... Have you considered concrete tubes with this type of wood to concrete tie? Keeps the wood raised so water doesn't wick up.

https://www.fastenersplus.com/Simps...MIw8aDycnY4wIVgp6fCh37pAwMEAQYAiABEgKrmfD_BwE


If it were me, I'd bite the bullet and rent the auger, use a big foot type footing set under the frost line, concrete tube on top of that to a few inches above grade then the tie I posted above.

 

same thinking here, water collecting in there and rotting the post out. They have the other blocks also that are for 2x6/2x4. if you have to use them Id use the others..

 

I'm going to extend my deck and looked for the code requirements. As others have said, it varies wildly from one jurisdiction to another, however one thing I saw come up fairly consistently was if 1) it was a floating deck (not attached to the house) and 2) it was no higher than x inches (I think it's 30 inches) you might not need a permit. I'm lucky to live in an area where "frost line" are foreign words, so putting concrete tubes several feet in the ground aren't absolutely necessary. Good luck with your buikd and post pics!

 

How high up will the deck be? The bases you posted will not provide any side to side support.

 

@Salty_Dog It appears that the state of Virginia has its own building codes. So, I think calling your local building department would be your be bet for information. As Martyinco suggested, building department often have building guides for projects. I found this deck building guide for Stafford county https://staffordcountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/239/deck-details?bidId= hope that helps.

4BYTOY

 

I used Helical piers, company comes in and sets them. You can start building same day. No waiting for inspections. The company i used was techno metal post.

 

Never heard of them. I'll have to look into this.

 

I used a few of these a couple of years ago and it has lasted fine. Tbh, quikcrete is the way to go though. By the time you have the blocks leveled and dug out with a sand base, you have more time and energy into than the concrete.

 

Depends on the quality of your foundation soils, and the total load on the column. Hire a Geotech engineer and find out for sure.

Also expect frost heave every winter, and likely additional settlement during each spring thaw. As stated above, there will be no significant lateral load capacity.

 

If I were building a deck here in the midwest I would not do anything but 24-30” footers.
If you live in a place that freezes you can’t get away with anything else.

Unsure if any parts of VA get that cold.

 

Built a deck like that in Texas and worked fine, mine had slots in the bottom.

 

VA freezes. If you follow the link that @4BYTOY posted, it says 24" minimum depth for footers.

 

You also should consult you home owners association.

 

My yard is practically solid clay with about 3-inches of topsoil.

 

Clay will expand and shrink with changes in moisture content. Depending on clay content and moisture change, swell pressures of 1000 to 6000 psf are common. Likely more than the pressure being applied by your footing.

I would guess the depth of seasonal moisture content change is on the order of 2 to 3 feet, up to 5 feet if you get droughts and there is no shade cover. Amount of heave/shrinkage can range from less than an inch to 3 inches if you have heavy clay. Its all pretty variable depending on climate, vegetation, watering cycles, and soil properties.

To get to the point, the reason why you want the foundation bearing a certain distance below grade, is to circumvent moisture and frost from having any significant effect on the soils that are actually supporting the footing.

 

Don't have a HOA.