A Better Way to Attach Deck / Outdoor Stairs to Your Concrete Footing Pad
The Fine Homebuilding article “Stronger, Smarter Deck Stairs” by Steven Baczek and Mike Brussard (Issue 258 – April/May 2016) offered a number of great suggestions. Here is another: If you attach the bottom end of your stringers directly to the concrete footing pad, that long stretch of open wood grain will absorb water and rot, even with PT lumber—just like the end of a post. There is a Better Way. Use standard 4 x 4 post bases and attach a couple of them to the bottom of each stringer, bolted to the concrete pad. Add a short piece of PT 2×4 to fill the gap on the side, screwed to the stringer. Just like a post, this will hold your stringers up and away from the concrete so they can dry and avoid rot.
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
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Cepco BoWrench Decking Tool
Flashing and Joist Tape
4-Gallon Piston Backpack Sprayer
