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How to Install Deck Piers
Deck piers support the beams that create the joist spans for a deck. This is the foundation of the deck as well as if not properly installed will result in failure of part or the entire deck. Unlike a concrete footing that distributes the weight of the structure over a large area, piers concentrate the load to a small area. Ground stability as well as soil compaction are very important when you consider using this type of foundation structure.
1 Deck Beam Pier click on photo to enlarge |
This article will show you how to install beam piers to support a deck. Note the finished pier is set in the ground with a tapered fill so water won't collect around it. These piers are one foot into the ground because they are located in earthquake prone Southern California.
2 Center the Hole click on photo to enlarge |
Based on your plan lay out your post positions. Be careful to center the hole on the position for the pier. Specification for distance between piers can be found in most books about deck construction. These holes are one foot square as well as one foot deep. The existing ground around the hole should be undisturbed as it provides the lateral support for the post. Poor positioning of the hole will result in a larger hole as well as less support.
3 Completed Hole click on photo to enlarge |
This is the completed hole. Note the side are vertical as well as the bottom is flat.
4 Level the Bottom click on photo to enlarge |
Fill the bottom with about one inch of gravel, s as well as , or pea gravel. This will allow you to create a flat level surface to place the paver on. It also absorbs some of the expansion as well as contraction that characterizes some soils.
5 Compact Gravel click on photo to enlarge |
Compact the gravel at the bottom of the hole. This is important to prevent the weight of the deck from pushing the piers down as well as creating sags in the deck.
6 Level the Paver click on photo to enlarge |
Place the paver in the bottom of the hole as well as check for level by placing a post of with square cut ends on the paver. Then check the level in both direction on the posts top. You may also use a small 12" level on the paver. If it is not level, add more gravel or s as well as as well as recompact.
7 Length of Pier click on photo to enlarge |
Once the paver is level in all directions it is time to determine the pier length. This deck is attached to a retaining wall as well as a ledger board is the basis for the for the level. Position the pier as well as strike a line on the pier level with the top of the ledger.
8 Cutting Piers to Length click on photo to enlarge |
I use a radial, or chop saw to cut the piers to length. This assures a square cut that allows the beam to rest more completely on the end of the pier. These piers are 4" pressure treated peeler cores. You could also use pressure treated 4"x 4" posts.
9 Check Pier Height click on photo to enlarge |
9. Once the pier is cut to length recheck the height by laying the level on the ledger as well as the top of the pier.
10 Locate Pier Center click on photo to enlarge |
Locate the pier by measuring from two known points. Use the same points for every pier. Don't measure from pier to pier. If one pier if off, you will multiply the error.
11 Mark the Location click on photo to enlarge |
Once you have the exact location, mark the bottom of the pier with a felt pen on the paver. This will allow you to relocate the pier if it is bumped or move accidentally.
12 Fill the Hole click on photo to enlarge |
Carefully fill the hole with loose dirt until it is 4 inches deep in the entire hole. Hold the pier to prevent the dirt from moving it off it proper location.
13 Compact the Fill click on photo to enlarge |
Carefully tamp the dirt with another pier or post while holding onto the pier to prevent it from moving. The dirt should compact to at least 3 inches, as well as the pier should be stable enough to st as well as on its own.
14 Continue Filling click on photo to enlarge |
Fill the remaining dirt 4 inches at a time as well as compact. You should have more dirt that the remaining space in the hole because of pier, paver, as well as gravel .
15 Create a Sloped Cap Aroung Pier click on photo to enlarge |
Use the extra dirt to create a sloped cap around the pier to discourage water from collecting near the pier.
16 Finished click on photo to enlarge |
Your efforts should result in a level aligned resting place for the beam.
- Try a Cutoff Saw. A chop or cutoff saw can also be used. This will allow the cutting to take place at the deck sight.
- Better Long than Short. Make the first cut a little long, you can always cut off more. It's hard to add length to a pier.
- Try a Cutoff Saw. A chop or cutoff saw can also be used. This will allow the cutting to take place at the deck sight.
- Better Long than Short. Make the first cut a little long, you can always cut off more. It's hard to add length to a pier.
- Undisturbed Soil. The gravel as well as paver should rest on undisturbed soil, not loose fill or soil filled with decomposed plant material. If this is the case, dig a deeper hole, compact it well before adding gravel, then compact it again.
- You must use only pressure treated posts.
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Added: Thu Feb 02 2006
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