Loading

The Buried Post Footing



This footing method involves pouring a concrete pad at least 12” thick at the base of your hole. Next, set a pressure treated wood support post rated for "ground contact" on top of the pad and backfill the soil into the hole. "Ground rated" treated wood contains a higher concentration of preservative chemicals than normal wood and will offer increased protection from decay while buried in soil. This is the same type of wood that is used for retaining walls. The pressure treatment companies insist that these posts will last longer in the ground than the deck frame that is built above it, and this practice is accepted by the IRC code.

The buried post method offers the advantage of reducing the amount of concrete work required for each footing and actually provides additional lateral (side-to-side) support to the post to resist wind loads. It also reduces the amount of soil you need to haul away and can save you some money because you no longer need concrete anchors and post base hardware. The only obvious disadvantage is that if the post is ever damaged, it will be very difficult to replace. 

Popular Footings Articles
Concrete

Cutting a Concrete Pad

Learn how to use a concrete saw to cut a hole in a patio slab to install a deck footing.

Footing Installation

Do I need to use rebar?

Our inspector discusses using steel rebar for deck footings.

Concrete

Protecting From Collapse

Learn how to use cardboard sonotubes and hole covers to protect your deck footing holes from caving in and flooding before pouring concrete.

Next Step: Framing Articles
Deck Support Columns

How to Decorate Deck Support Columns

Browse some examples of decorative deck support posts for tall decks.

Deck Support Beams

How to Nail a Deck Beam

Learn how to nail a beam together. How many nails should you use? What type of nails should you use?

Deck Framing

Using Shims to Level the Deck Surface

Install shims or notch joist bottom across uneven joists to level your deck surface.

Get more helpful resources delivered right to your inbox

Explore Articles by Topic

Popular Footings Articles
Footing Installation

How many footings do I need?

Avoid a wobbly deck! Learn how to calculate the right number of footings to keep your structure safe and solid.

Footing Installation

Deck Footing Depth

Find out how deep you need to dig your footings in your area. Look at our U.S. map of extreme frost penetration.

Footing Installation

Footing Size

You don’t need to be an engineer to figure out what size footings your new deck will need to safely support it. Everything you need to know is right here.

Next Step: Framing Articles
Deck Framing

Why is Joist Protection so Important for Your Deck?

If you’ve ever seen a piece of wood left out in the weather for any period of time, you know what happens: decay. Whether through wet rot, insect damage, or mildew, the fibers begin to break down.

Deck Support Beams

How to Size a Deck Beam

Learn about how to choose the correct size beam for your deck. We discuss engineered beams and "sandwiched" style beams.

Deck Support Columns

How to Slope a Deck for Water Runoff and Drainage

Learn if your deck needs to be sloped and how to do it.

Get more helpful resources delivered right to your inbox

Explore Articles by Topic