EZ Posts to Replace Failing Concrete Pillars

Challenge

The homeowner had recently purchased this property in Dunbarton, NH and knew the deck was going to need either some additional reinforcing or total replacement. The previous homeowner had done some DIY work on the deck, possibly even building the entire deck himself. The deck and posts were not meeting building code and were at serious risk of collapsing. The concrete pillars supporting the PT posts were gradually settling, and the beams up above (meant to support the floor joists) were not correctly attached to the main structure of the building. The entire deck visibly moved and swayed when walking on the surface. In order to stabilize the posts and beams, repairs needed to be completed, starting from the ground up.

Solution

Erickson Foundation Supportworks inspected the failing structure with the homeowner, and proposed replacing the failing support pillars with EZ Posts and adding additional beams to support the floor joists. The deck itself was 25' in length, and projected out from the main house 16'. Half of the topside of the deck was a covered porch, the other half being an exposed deck surface. There was also a section of deck jutting out from the main section, a 12' x 10' area, which supported an outdoor hot tub.

EZ Posts were needed not just to replace the failing concrete pillars, but also in different locations. The original pillars were placed too far beneath the deck, and so the outer edges of the deck was not fully supported. By moving the support posts further out, the deck would be more stable.  EZ Posts were installed at depths ranging from 8' to 11', well below frost line and will each support a minimum of 15,000 lbs. Also, as mentioned the floor joists were not properly supported by ledger boards or beams, and so additional PT beams were installed in a few locations. The new beams were directly over the new EZ Posts, and so the entire structure would now be fully supported.

Upon completion of the project, the deck was much more stable, showed no signs of movement or swaying and gave the homeowner peace of mind.

Project Summary

Installing Contractor: Erickson Foundation Supportworks

Crew Leader: Stavros Charalambous

Products Installed: EZ Posts (20), Pressure Treated Beams