Should i cement my deck posts

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Concrete around the post increases post rot. The concrete around the post is acting as a bowl holding water. Just like a concrete swimming pool holds water, so does concrete around a deck post. The rain falls and collects on top of the concrete with no place to go except into the post. Which acts as a natural sponge soaking up the water, rotting out the base of the post. I have replaced many a fence post. Many snap off right at the ground level.

With the post rotten clear through. Just above the concrete but right below the ground level. Setting a deck post in concrete creates the same problem. Rot at the base of the post just above the concrete. Not only does the post rot out at the top of the concrete but also the water wicker alongside the post trapped by the concrete.

The water running down the post with nowhere to go except rot out the side of the post. Not only will setting the deck post in concrete increase rot, but once the post rots, it is harder to replace. With the bottom of the post stuck in the concrete. But the top of the post rotten, needing to be replaced. Setting the post on top of the footing but not in the concrete makes replacement much simpler.

Then, pour the concrete around it. This gives you post connectors exactly where they need to be. After the concrete sets, just remove the beam, put the posts in, and put the beam on top of them.

If the posts are all the same height you can put short pieces of post between the deck and the beam. I like hefty footings for 2nd floor decks; I would go at least 1x1x1 depth set based on your frost line ; I have a 2nd floor deck with a roof over it that has 5 footings that are each 2'x2'x'1. You can put a bit of rebar at the bottom to help hold the footing base together. I build decks for a living. Setting your post in concrete as you would a fence post will work just fine, as long as you use Sono tubes or The Post Collar.

You want no earth to wood contact! Or use pier blocks. In the pic you have a ledger securing the deck to the house. You can use 6" pier blocks. Place a shovel full of concrete, even fence post mix under your pier block, press down and turn the block so the concrete flattens out and comes out the sides around the block. Mound it evenly around the block and you just secured that block in place.

Just be certain no wood to earth contact! I've been in the construction industry for over thirty years. I live in the northeastern US. The only time you put posts in concrete is for a fence. Posts for decks an other above ground structures are anchored above ground to the footings and foundations. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

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