How to Excavate Deck Footings

When building a deck, installation of footings can be a critical process. These footings must be completely level and completely stable within the ground, so they do not move or shift (and therefore shift your entire deck, with possible disastrous consequences). Excavating the holes for the deck footings is a simple process as long as you are aware of a few crucial aspects.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Digging tools
• String
• Stakes
• Spray paint

1. Mark the locations of your holes. This can be done with stakes and string, or with spray paint. The size of your holes will vary with the type of piers you are attaching to the footings and to the type of soil into which you are digging. These decisions are best made by a professional builder.
2. Begin to excavate your holes. If you are using power equipment, you will likely have dirt thrown around your yard, so be prepared if this is to happen. Digging manually is much harder to do, since you need a precise and level hole.
3. Dig until you are below the frost line. The frost line is difficult to determine in some regions, so asking a professional might be the best way to find out how deep it is. The frost line is critical because the footing must be placed below it, or else it will be forced upwards when the ground freezes.
4. Assess where your current holes are and if they are in the right location and if they are the right size. If they need adjustment, you may have to widen or deepen them.
5. Level the bottom of your excavated holes. This is very important since the footing must lay flat in the ground and remain level. According to the International Residential Code, there may not be more than a 10 percent incline in the sloping of the bottom of your hole.
6. Insert your footings into your holes. The size of your footings will depend on the size of your deck and the consistency of your soil.

Tips & Warnings

• The best way to tell if your hole is deep enough is to look for undisturbed soil; however, you must still make sure that you are below the frost line before you begin to insert your footings.
• If you are using power equipment, be careful when operating it. Make sure you know how the equipment works and are comfortable with using it.

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