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.
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Cutting a Concrete Pad
Learn how to use a concrete saw to cut a hole in a patio slab to install a deck footing.
Monolithic Pier
Compare the pros and cons of installing a solid concrete deck footing using a cardboard tube or engineered forms.
How to Buy Concrete: Hiring a Ready-Mix Truck
Hiring a truck to deliver ready-mixed concrete for your project may make better sense than mixing it yourself. Learn how to order concrete for your deck at Decks.com.
How to Decorate Deck Support Columns
Browse some examples of decorative deck support posts for tall decks.
How to Build a Multi-Level Deck
Multi-level decks are very popular. Learn how to build a deck that steps up or down using shared posts and footing connections.
Building a Deck Around a Tree
Learn how to build a deck around a tree to allow the tree to grow and not damage its root system while digging footings.
More Helpful Resources
Explore Articles by Topic
Footings
Information related to installing frost footings for decks
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Learn structural framing methods
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An in-depth look at the complex issue of how to build stairs
Railings
How to install guardrails and handrails to meet IRC code
Features
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The basics of deck design
Planning
Learn about permits and working with contractors
Porches & Patios
Build a covered deck to enjoy all seasons
Ledger
Proper attachment techniques
Care
Maintain your deck to maintain your investment
Materials
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights
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.
SaveCutting a Concrete Pad
Learn how to use a concrete saw to cut a hole in a patio slab to install a deck footing.
Installing footings on a sloped yard
Our inspector explains how to install concrete deck footings on uneven ground.
Can I reuse existing footings
Our inspector discusses the topic of reusing footings for a new deck.
How to Decorate Deck Support Columns
Browse some examples of decorative deck support posts for tall decks.
How to Use Steel Metal Deck Support Posts and Columns
Steel deck posts with base plates can be used as an alternative to wood posts for supporting your deck.
Comparing Joist Tape
If you want your deck to be safely supported by its substructure for the life of the deck, you can protect your investment with joist tape.
Explore Articles by Topic
Footings
Information related to installing frost footings for decks
Framing
Learn structural framing methods
Decking
Learn about wood and composite decking materials
Stairs
An in-depth look at the complex issue of how to build stairs
Railings
How to install guardrails and handrails to meet IRC code
Features
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights
Design
The basics of deck design
Planning
Learn about permits and working with contractors
Porches & Patios
Build a covered deck to enjoy all seasons
Ledger
Proper attachment techniques
Care
Maintain your deck to maintain your investment
Materials
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights