I'm a newbie to home ownership and I'm looking to replace my old, rotting front porch. From my research, it seems that I should set the posts at least 6 inches below the frost line, which in my area means digging down about four feet. I'm considering renting an auger for the job, but I'd like to get confirmation from those with more experience if this depth is appropriate. It seems quite deep to me, but I definitely want to avoid any issues with frost heave ruining my investment!
3 Answers
You're on the right track! Setting your posts below the frost line is crucial to avoid frost heave. Just a heads up, if you're in a rocky area, you might hit some rock while digging. If that's the case and you can't remove it, you can actually build on top of it instead!
Just so you know, you will be pouring footers, right? If that's not clear, it might be worth considering. Also, regarding the old footers from your existing porch, if they look okay, you could potentially build on them. But check for any damage first!
No worries at all! I’m pretty clueless about construction, so even obvious questions are helpful. I had planned to pour new concrete footers, but you're making me wonder about the old ones. I guess I’ll need to assess their condition before making a decision!
Definitely check with your local building inspector before starting. They’re the ones who will approve your plans. And make sure you're pulling the right permits, right?
Yes, I’m at the early stages, just trying to figure out everything I need to prepare for the city approval process!
That's great to know! I was worried about hitting a stone slab. I'll be ready to drill if I need to!