How To
Footings

How To
Footings

Decks Footing Articles

Learn everything you need to know about installing concrete footings to support your deck. We will teach you how to determine the code compliant size of your footings based on the soil type and tributary loads. Check out our deck footing frost map to help you understand how deep your footings will need to be excavated.

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We will also show you how to decide the number and spacing of your footings. Some of our articles focus on the various types of accepted footings that are used by professional deck builders. We feature articles on how to install continuous concrete pier foundations, belled piers, footing forms and the buried post on top of the footing method. We will conclude the section by explaining how to work with concrete, covering some common issues related to deck foundation work, as well as answering some frequently asked questions.

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Footing Installation

How to Use Concrete Deck Blocks

Our inspector explains the pros and cons of using pier blocks for deck foundations.

Footing Installation

Using Rebar for Concrete Deck Footings

Our inspector discusses using steel rebar for deck footings.

Footing Installation

Can I reuse the footings from my old deck for a new deck project?

Our inspector discusses the topic of reusing footings for a new deck.

Footing Installation

How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground

Our inspector explains how to install concrete deck footings on uneven ground.

Footing Installation

How Many Footing Do You Need For Your Deck?

Learn how to determine the number of footings and support posts you need for your deck when designing your deck frame.

Footing Installation

Water In Deck Footing Holes

Find out what to do if your deck footing holes fill up with water.

Footing Installation

Bigfoot Concrete Footing Forms

Learn about the advantages of using Bigfoot systems concrete footing forms. Research their testing and code compliance reports.

Footing Types

The Buried Post Footing

Learn how to install a concrete deck footing with a buried treated support post as an alternative to a solid pier foundation.

Footing Types

Concrete Deck Footing

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

Concrete

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.

Concrete

Protecting Your Holes from Collapse

Learn how to use cardboard sonotubes and hole covers to protect your deck footing holes from caving in and flooding before pouring concrete.

Concrete

Building a Deck Near a Retaining Wall

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

Concrete

How to Cut Concrete and Pavers

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

Footing Installation

Soil Conditions For Deck Footings

Learn how soil conditions can affect the size of your deck footings. Do you have gravel, sand or clay soil?

Footing Installation

Deck Footing Frost Depth Map

Find out how deep you need to dig your footings in your area. Look at our U.S. map of extreme frost penetration.

Footing Installation

Deck Footing Size Chart

Learn how large to make your deck footings. Use our table for maximum allowable loads to determine the proper size for your soil type.

Concrete

Foundation Washout

Steep hills and loose soil can be a recipe for disaster for deck footings. Consider some of our tips to help prevent your footings from washing away.

Footing Installation

Prevent Frost Footing Heaving

Learn how frost heaving can damage your deck. The solution is to properly install your deck footings.

Concrete

How to Prevent Sagging & Sinking Decks

Sinking deck footings can lead to serious problems. Learn what can cause concrete footings to sink. Properly installed footings will resist sinking.

Concrete

How to Use Concrete Footings for Deck Posts

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

Footing Installation

Digging Deck Footings

Learn how to hand dig or mechanically dig your deck footings with step-by-step instructions. Learn what to do if you hit a rock.

Footing Installation

Deck Post Spacing & Layout

Learn how to lay out your deck footings accurately using triangulation with our step-by-step instructions.

Footing Types

How to Install & Build Deck Footings

Learn how to install concrete footings to properly support your deck. Watch our step-by-step foundations video.

Footing Installation

How to Use Concrete Deck Blocks

Our inspector explains the pros and cons of using pier blocks for deck foundations.

Footing Installation

Using Rebar for Concrete Deck Footings

Our inspector discusses using steel rebar for deck footings.

Footing Installation

Can I reuse the footings from my old deck for a new deck project?

Our inspector discusses the topic of reusing footings for a new deck.

Footing Installation

How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground

Our inspector explains how to install concrete deck footings on uneven ground.

Footing Installation

How Many Footing Do You Need For Your Deck?

Learn how to determine the number of footings and support posts you need for your deck when designing your deck frame.

Footing Installation

Water In Deck Footing Holes

Find out what to do if your deck footing holes fill up with water.

Footing Installation

Bigfoot Concrete Footing Forms

Learn about the advantages of using Bigfoot systems concrete footing forms. Research their testing and code compliance reports.

Footing Types

The Buried Post Footing

Learn how to install a concrete deck footing with a buried treated support post as an alternative to a solid pier foundation.

Footing Types

Concrete Deck Footing

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

Concrete

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.

Concrete

Protecting Your Holes from Collapse

Learn how to use cardboard sonotubes and hole covers to protect your deck footing holes from caving in and flooding before pouring concrete.

Concrete

Building a Deck Near a Retaining Wall

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

Concrete

How to Cut Concrete and Pavers

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

Footing Installation

Soil Conditions For Deck Footings

Learn how soil conditions can affect the size of your deck footings. Do you have gravel, sand or clay soil?

Footing Installation

Deck Footing Frost Depth Map

Find out how deep you need to dig your footings in your area. Look at our U.S. map of extreme frost penetration.

Footing Installation

Deck Footing Size Chart

Learn how large to make your deck footings. Use our table for maximum allowable loads to determine the proper size for your soil type.

Concrete

Foundation Washout

Steep hills and loose soil can be a recipe for disaster for deck footings. Consider some of our tips to help prevent your footings from washing away.

Footing Installation

Prevent Frost Footing Heaving

Learn how frost heaving can damage your deck. The solution is to properly install your deck footings.

Concrete

How to Prevent Sagging & Sinking Decks

Sinking deck footings can lead to serious problems. Learn what can cause concrete footings to sink. Properly installed footings will resist sinking.

Concrete

How to Use Concrete Footings for Deck Posts

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

Footing Installation

Digging Deck Footings

Learn how to hand dig or mechanically dig your deck footings with step-by-step instructions. Learn what to do if you hit a rock.

Footing Installation

Deck Post Spacing & Layout

Learn how to lay out your deck footings accurately using triangulation with our step-by-step instructions.

Footing Types

How to Install & Build Deck Footings

Learn how to install concrete footings to properly support your deck. Watch our step-by-step foundations video.

More Helpful Resources

Professional Deck Plans

EXPLORE THE DECK PLAN LIBRARY >

Concrete Cost Estimator

CALCULATE HOW MUCH CONCRETE YOU NEED >

Step-by-Step DIY Guide

LEARN HOW TO BUILD A DECK >

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