Table of Contents
Can I lay decking on concrete blocks?
If you’re tired of how your garden looks with concrete slabs, you can up its appeal by building a deck. However, you can’t install the composite decking directly on top of the concrete. You will need to create a frame first.
How do you attach a deck to a block foundation?
The deck-to-block connection is done with a ledger board attached to the block using sleeve anchor bolts. The bolts have a special sleeve that expands inside the block when the head is tightened against the face of the ledger. Once you hang the ledger, joist hangers attach to the ledger for hanging the deck joists.
Do I need gravel under deck blocks?
Deck blocks should be installed on stable, non-organic material with good drainage. You can put gravel, sand, or limestone screening under a deck block. Regardless of what you put under a deck block, it must not absorb water but provide good drainage.
Can you use 4×4 posts 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.
How far apart should concrete deck blocks be?
Set the four corners for the deck. Digging about 6 inches into the ground, create holes for the blocks so you can adjust (raise or lower) to make them even. The blocks should be spaced to make a 7′ x 19′ rectangle, leaving about 6 inches from each block for deck boards to add another 8′ x 20′ rectangle.
How far apart should deck blocks be?
Space the deck blocks at 4′ to 6′ intervals to offer the frame good support.
How do you attach a ledger board to a concrete block?
Use a wood bit to drill ½” pilot holes through the ledger board. Next, use a concrete bit to drill into the concrete wall. Install two bolts at the end of each ledger board. Hammer the sleeve anchor through the ledger board into the concrete wall.
How do you attach wood to brick without drilling?
The best way to attach wood to brick without drilling is to use a brick wall hook. These hooks are designed for brick walls, even slightly curved ones. They are removable, adhesive-free, and strong (holds up to 25 lbs). You can install them in seconds and most importantly: no holes to drill.
Can I attach my deck to a hollow block concrete foundation?
Yes, there are products available for anchoring a ledger board to hollow concrete block foundations (concrete masonry unit, CMU). Most builders prefer to build a freestanding deck rather than attach to a hollow concrete block house foundation wall.
What kind of anchor do you use for cinder blocks?
Machine Screw Anchor – is best used in the solid section of a cinder block because it requires the bottom of the hole to be used for proper setting and expansion. The machine screw anchor needs to be set using a setting tool.
How do I attach a ledger board to a cinder block wall?
Hold the ledger board in place on the cinder block. Line up the pilot holes in the board with those on the block. Beginning from one end drive one 2-1/2-inch Tapcon-style concrete screw through each pilot hole in the board and into the cinder block.
What do I put under deck blocks?
Sand or gravel under the blocks works best because these materials don’t change with seasonal freeze-and-thaw cycles. They allow water to seep away in the fall, eliminating frost-related heaving in the winter. Heavy clay soils, on the other hand, can rise and fall substantially because they hold so much moisture.
How do you anchor a deck block?
Plant 15-inch-long hoop anchors into the ground about 6 inches from the edge of installed floating deck floor at the corners of the deck placed 6 inches away from the corner. Drive the point of the anchor into the ground until the auger at the point is at the ground surface, and then put a straight rod into the hoop.
Do deck blocks sink?
The deck blocks can sink if the soil under them erodes for some reason or the weight is unevenly distributed. That’s why it’s a good idea to use more than less.
How do you attach a wooden post to a concrete block?
Drill a hole through the post with a ¼-inch bit on every mark. Install a 1-inch paddle bit and drill down into each of these pilot holes to a depth of 1 inch. This will serve as a countersink to allow the concrete screw to tighten to the cement blocks more efficiently. Align the wooden post with the cement block.
How do you hook up a 4×4 to a 4×4?
The simplest way to connect two 4x4s is with a butt joint. Trim the ends to be joined so they are square and smooth. Any angle, however small, can act as a shear line, and a smooth flat surface makes for a better connection.
How much weight can a 4×4 pressure treated post hold?
The load capacity of a 3-foot #2 grade 4×4 is 17,426 pounds, and a similar 6×6 is 20,834 pounds or 16% better. However, an 8-foot 4×4 supports 6468-pounds and 2339-pounds at 14-feet, while a 6×6 is 18032 and 10550-pounds respectively – or 64% and 78% more load capacity.
How much weight can a pressure treated 4×4 hold horizontally?
The amount of weight that a 4×4 can support horizontally will depend on the type of wood you are using, the grade of wood, and the length of the board itself. Your average yellow pine 4x4x8 will be able to hold up to two tons (4,000 lbs), with the correct vertical support beneath it.
How far apart should 4×4 posts be on a deck?
For Building a Deck Railing, Deck Frame, or Fence The maximum spacing of 4×4 deck posts should be 6 feet on center, while the maximum spacing of 6×6 deck posts should be 8 feet on center.
