Loading

Protecting Your Holes from Collapse

Once your holes are in place, how do you make sure they don’t cave in and waste all of your hard work? One easy solution is to purchase cardboard form tubes and place them in the holes to prevent the holes from collapsing. These tubes are sold in different sizes. You will probably want 12” or 16” diameter tubes that are at least 6’ tall. For about $20 each, you can save yourself the frustration of redigging collapsed holes. You can remove the tubes after the footing inspection or leave them in the ground to naturally degrade in the soil.

You will also want to cover the holes with something to keep water out. If your holes fill with water, they are more likely to collapse and you will not be able to pass a footing inspection while water is in the bottom of the hole. You can use plywood or tarps, some people have even used garbage can lids. Try to coordinate your footing inspection so that you don’t have to leave the footings open for a long period of time.

Installing cardboard sonotubes and covering your footing holes can help protect the holes from collapsing before you pour your concrete foundations.

Cardboard Sono Tubes
PinterestSave
Cardboard Sono Tubes
Popular Footings Articles
Concrete

Cutting a Concrete Pad

Learn how to use a concrete saw to cut a hole in a patio slab to install a deck footing.

Concrete

Retaining Walls

Avoid problems related to digging deck footings near retaining walls. Learn some tips from the pros for how to handle these difficult situations.

Footing Types

Monolithic Pier

Compare the pros and cons of installing a solid concrete deck footing using a cardboard tube or engineered forms.

Next Step: Framing Articles
Deck Support Columns

How to Decorate Deck Support Columns

Browse some examples of decorative deck support posts for tall decks.

Deck Framing

How To Build a Hexagon Deck

Learn some tips on how to build a six-sided hexagon-shaped deck.

Deck Framing

Roof Top Deck Construction

Rooftop decks transform otherwise wasted space into beautiful planes for entertaining, dining, relaxing and even gardening. The views will make your deck the talk of the neighborhood and draw frequent guests to your home or business.

Get more helpful resources delivered right to your inbox

Explore Articles by Topic

Popular Footings Articles
Footing Installation

How many footings do I need?

Avoid a wobbly deck! Learn how to calculate the right number of footings to keep your structure safe and solid.

Footing Types

Monolithic Pier

Compare the pros and cons of installing a solid concrete deck footing using a cardboard tube or engineered forms.

Concrete

Working With Concrete

Learn tips from the pros on how to mix and pour concrete for deck footings.

Next Step: Framing Articles
Deck Framing

Why is Joist Protection so Important for Your Deck?

If you’ve ever seen a piece of wood left out in the weather for any period of time, you know what happens: decay. Whether through wet rot, insect damage, or mildew, the fibers begin to break down.

Deck Support Columns

How to Install Concrete Support Deck Posts & Columns

Learn how to install concrete deck piers to support your deck frame. Use cardboard form tubes to extend your footings above grade.

Deck Framing

Deck Joist Water Protection

Learn about a technique used by many pro builders for wrapping deck framing lumber with a waterproof barrier to prevent corrosion and rot.

Get more helpful resources delivered right to your inbox

Explore Articles by Topic