I’ve been asked to estimate a deck. It’s a pretty straightforward deck, but the landscape architect who designed it recommended using gravel in the footing instead of concrete,with a post block on top of the gravel. He had done this on a deck he built himself, and it semed to work.
I’m in the Midwest, so I would only have to go down 2′ for footings.I would dig an 8″ by 2′ hole, fill with gravel to the ground line, and set a post block on top.
It would save me a lot of construction time if I didn’t have to wait for the concrete to set.
Does this sound like an acceptable construction technique? Has anyone here done this?
Thanks,
Rick W
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Replies
I've done it a few times and works fine.
Use a crushed stone product - locks together solid.
One differance - we have to go down 42" in Michigan.
That and I nornally just put 8-10" of stone in the bottom of the hole and set the post block/pad below grade.
Terry