Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Nov 03, 2016 8:03 am Hey all, I'm discussing with my chippy regarding how to best set my deck posts in the ground. We have heavy clay loam soil. I dug all the holes to save some money and because I'm still a week or two off form the chippy starting, they filled up with water after the heavy rain we had and are still holding water after 5 days. My question is: Design calls for concrete filled foundation....but then again, they all do. His procedure Fill bottom 100mm with gravel, set the post on top of the gravel, then pour in concrete mix around the post to set the post. My concern after much research 1. wood shrinks and expands with wetting and drying. We are building while everything is still quite moist...so expanded 2. When the heat comes, the timber will shrink slightly and form a gap between the post and the concrete which will let water flow between which ultimately will rot the post I've been looking at the Boral website and a couple of others, and they believe to use No-fines Concrete when setting posts as it allows the water to be absorbed into surrounding soil (but my soil is clay so unlikely). What is your opinion on this because I'm thinking that's all great, but my holes hold water, so that means the No-fines Concrete will just allow water to sit around the post, whereas if I did mass concrete it would only be a little bit of water between the concrete and the post. I'm in two minds but I'm thinking the chippy's method would be better. Re: Decking post - Concret or No Fines Concrete 2Nov 03, 2016 8:54 am Hi Crazyk Please use Galv post stirrups to avoid problem further down the track Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Decking post - Concret or No Fines Concrete 3Nov 03, 2016 9:12 am StructuralBIMGuy Hi Crazyk Please use Galv post stirrups to avoid problem further down the track Hi SBG, I will only be using them on the bearers. Engineer design calls for a 150 x 150 post that is 2.7m high. I hate the post stirups for stand alone posts as there is no cross bracing because these are the posts holding up my roof on the away side of the house. Re: Decking post - Concret or No Fines Concrete 4Nov 03, 2016 11:48 am Hi Crazyk,. If the Verandah-> posts->Rafters (assumption) are securely attached to the house then there is no need for cross bracing or lateral restraint? Ask your carpenter to refer you to the relevant Australian Standards that recommends Gravel at the base..just curious? Otherwise ask your engineer IMO the posts should be completely encased in concrete. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Hi, as per the subject. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best value decking oil (Bunning is close to where I live) for a treated pine deck? Thanks 0 1290 Use a product like Equisol's Vitalise to clean the deck then coat with a penetrating timber oil. It will look 10 years younger and add value to your home. Visit for… 1 11239 |