The foundation system must be at least 1.2 m (4′) below grade and extend at least 150 mm (6”) above grade. Footings are not required under piles if the safe load-bearing capacity of the soil is not exceeded. Your safety codes officer may require additional verification.
How deep do deck piles need to be?
Piles should be spaced at maximum centres of 1.3m along the lines of the bearers and at maximum centres of 1.9m along the lines of the joists. Dig holes with a post hole borer or a spade to a minimum depth of 450mm plus an extra 100mm for concrete pad.
How deep is the frost line in Alberta?
In Alberta, Canada, that can mean going as much as four feet deep. Many environmental factors also contribute to frost depth. The frequency of snow plowing or shoveling is one factor that pushes frost deeper. This is why paved streets usually have a much deeper frost zone than lawns, yards, and fields.
How deep should a deck post be buried?
Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).
How deep is the frost line in Edmonton?
approximately 2.4 m
A granular soil having less than 5 percent fines is considered non frost-susceptible. Within the City of Edmonton, a frost depth penetration of approximately 2.4 m is estimated.
Can you put a deck directly on the ground?
You can either build it directly on the ground or square the site and build it on top of risers as a floating deck. If you lay it directly on the ground, you may find that it’s more susceptible to absorbing moisture and might need additional maintenance.
Do deck posts need to be in the ground?
There are several ways to set deck posts; we recommend attaching the posts to concrete footers above the ground. This helps to prevent wooden posts from rotting. Set footers a minimum of 6 inches below the frost line for your area to prevent movement during freezing temperatures.
How deep do water lines need to be buried in Alberta?
The minimum depth of cover over the pipeline where it crosses the right-of-way of a highway or a road shall be 2.5 metres for water and 1.4 metres for sewer lines under the lowest point within the highway right-of-way.
What happens if you don’t dig below the frost line?
If footings are not placed below the frost line, they can heave in the winter when the ground freezes. The shifting can cause lots of problems, including “cracking in the foundation, drywall or other things, like doors not shutting right,” Risberg says.
Do deck footings need to be below the frost line?
Footings typically must extend below the frost line to prevent shifting during freeze-thaw cycles. Dig footing holes about 6 inches deeper than required. Fill the bottom of the hole with 6 inches of gravel and compact the gravel with a 2×4 or wood post.
Can I put deck post in the ground without concrete?
Plastic piers require the digging, but unlike footings, there is no concrete involved. The pier is put into the hole and attached the post, giving you your deck without wasting hours installing footings.
How deep should an 8 foot post be in the ground?
about 2 feet deep
How Deep Should a Fence Post Be? For an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you’ll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone. For gateposts, you’ll need concrete too.
How deep should a 12 ft post be in the ground?
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post’s hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post.
How deep do deck piles need to be Edmonton?
Stringers, after shaping, must have at least 90mm (3½”) minimum effective depth and at least 235mm (9¼”) overall depth, as measured perpendicular to the bottom of the 13 UNCOVERED DECK DESIGN GUIDE. Content subject to periodic update. Ensure use of the most recent version. Last Updated: 14 September 2021 Page 14
How deep is the bedrock in Edmonton?
The bedrock surface ranges in elevation from about 900 m in the extreme southwest corner of the map area, to as low as 560 m within the buried Beverly Valley in the northeast corner.
Do I need a permit for a concrete patio Edmonton?
No permits are required to landscape your property, however you may require a permit if you are building a fence or want to include a deck, shed, gazebo, hot tub or water feature in your yard.
Can you build a deck without digging post holes?
It’s possible to build a deck without digging holes. This type of deck is called a floating deck, and it sits right on top of the ground without any posts or support areas that you’d dig down into the ground [to secure].
Can I use deck pier blocks instead of footings?
A deck block is in many ways just a simplified version of a “precast foundation,” a foundation type recognized by building codes. They’re subject to all of the same requirements as a typical footing, regardless of not being cast-in-place.
How far off the ground can a deck be?
There is no standard height for a “grade-level” deck—the maximum measurement from grade to the deck surface could be 6 inches, 12 inches, 24 inches, or more. But generally speaking, I apply the term to decks that are up to 30 inches above grade, since guardrails are required for any decks that are higher than that.
Are 4×4 posts OK for a deck?
In the past, many decks were built with 4×4 support posts (also called structural posts). But these can bow seriously, even if a deck is only 3 feet off the ground. For that reason, we strongly recommend that you use 6x6s instead, even if your building department does not demand them.
Is gravel necessary under deck?
To ensure your under-deck space doesn’t become a moisture trap, accelerating rot for your wood deck, or a field of weeds, consider adding gravel. Washed gravel or crushed stone allows rain and snow to drain and create natural runoff.