Simply placing them on the ground or on a poured concrete pad a few inches deep usually isn’t enough to comply with codes — they must be set at least 12 inches deep in undisturbed soil. However, concrete deck blocks can be used without restriction for a freestanding deck that’s not attached to your house.
How high can a deck be with deck blocks?
Deck blocks are never good for elevated decks, but for a ground-level deck, they may work. A general rule is any deck that is less than 24″ (600mm) in Canada or 30″ (760mm) in the States.
How many footings do I need for a 12×16 deck?
A standard deck will need four footings parallel to the house, but they will need to be temporarily braced by 6 inch-by-6 inch posts. Using doubled boards, you will then need to build beams on the top row of the posts to frame the edges of the deck. These must be topped with adjustable post caps.
Will deck blocks sink?
The deck blocks can sink if the soil under them erodes for some reason or the weight is unevenly distributed. That’s why it’s a good idea to use more than less.
What do you put under deck blocks?
Sand or gravel under the blocks works best because these materials don’t change with seasonal freeze-and-thaw cycles. They allow water to seep away in the fall, eliminating frost-related heaving in the winter. Heavy clay soils, on the other hand, can rise and fall substantially because they hold so much moisture.
How many footings do I need for a 12×12 floating deck?
For an attached 12 x 12′ deck, you’ll need at least 3 footings, plus at least 2 more if you’re planning on building stairs with it. If your deck will be a different size, it’s easy to figure out how many you’ll need.
How much weight can a concrete deck block hold?
All concrete blocks must support at least 1,700 pounds of weight per square inch according to standards published in 2003 by the international building standards non-profit. Minimum requirements are only described in the standard.
Should I put my shed on blocks?
Foundation Blocks Do Not Block Grass and Weeds
Grass and weeds growing against the sides of your shed can be a problem because it does not allow the bottom of your shed to dry out after rain. This can cause premature rot and supports the growth of mold and mildew.
Do deck blocks need to be buried?
Although they can be buried, and sometimes are, they’re really designed to rest on the ground and spare the builder from digging, although the ground may require some leveling first. One advantage of sitting on top of the ground is that deck blocks are unaffected by frost heaving.
Can I use deck pier blocks instead of footings?
Pier blocks can be used instead of footings for a ground-level deck not requiring permits. Piers blocks can also be used if the frost level depth is less then the height of the pier block.
Can you build a shed on deck blocks?
Small- to medium-sized sheds, up to 160 square feet, can rest on an on-grade foundation. The types of foundation for these sheds can include a gravel pad, paving blocks and lumber, solid concrete blocks and lumber, or deck blocks and lumber.
