Would these 4x4/6x6 deck blocks supporting the deck be a concern to any of you as far as any potential frost heaving concerns in the future? A presumed footing is under the columns supporting the roof structure. This is new construction.
I don’t want to make an issue out of nothing, but I typically do not see any of these 4x4/6x6 deck blocks on new construction, and I usually see footings poured. If this was an older home I would not be too concerned if there were no signs of movement but with this being new I am curious. Frost line is 36" in my neck of the woods. Thanks!
Definitely could put some stress on the deck being fixed at the house, and fixed at the posts on presumed footings. Frost heave in my area can be significant. I wonder if the AHJ called out over-spanned joists and made them add the extra beam? Also, can’t believe people are still attaching support beams to the sides of posts. Nobody is dying if that deck fails, but still not best practice.
Building codes require the deck post to be on footings below frost depth if the deck is attached to the house. Free standing decks can use those blocks.
Around here any structural footing must be 24" below frost line. Those blocks would fall under that category, and would not be permitted. So if your local AHJ follows the same standards, those posts should be on footings 60" deep.
Did you check? Or did you just assume? The picture doesn’t show enough detail for those corner posts. Do you have any other pictures?
Don’t know or see how it is framed, but if that P.T. framing is what they look like 2x10 or 2x12, there is no need of those intermediate supports if the span is under 16’ and should be removed to prevent damage from frost heaving. Also, verification of a proper footing is required for those corner support columns.
Point out the issues: “Because the footings are above the frost line, the deck/roof may become out of level over time thus requiring periodic releveling the deck and footings.”
Thanks for the response Michael, the deck is NOT freestanding and I don’t have anymore pics, I was mainly concerned with the 4x4/6x6 deck blocks due to the deck being attached to the house and possible frost heaving issues in the future. It passed the local code requirements, AHJ does not have a problem with it I guess, but it seems strange to have those deck blocks and not footings there.
Did you check? Or did you just assume? The picture doesn’t show enough detail for those corner posts. Do you have any other pictures?
I did not check, I said “presumed footing” because it’s likely 4’ in the ground. How would you go about checking for the presence of a footing that deep? lol
I was referring to seeing if there was concrete sticking up out of the ground and steel brackets at the bottom of the posts.
If the house is brandy dandy new, and there were footings or piers there, it could be possible to probe the soil to see how deep it was. If you wanted to go that far anyway. You can buy a 48" probe pretty cheap or make one with some steel rod. I just happen to have one I made many moons ago when I was doing excavation work and take it with me if I know the house has a deck. Doesn’t always get used but I have it…
OP said it was new construction, but I suppose it’s possible the buyers asked for extra support at the deck for a hot tub. Maybe after the fact, which prompted the beam to be thrown in on blocks instead of footings.
There is a high probability the deck was built without a permit (“Anybody can build a deck!”). In my area the footings are inspected BEFORE the deck is built on top.
