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spencerin
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2022 10:58pm
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Just curious about your *real-world* experience with the longevity of wood pier foundations (PT wood direct-buried, UC4A+), either personal or "someone I know.....". Lots of stories out there about rot after a couple of decades, but I think by contrast there are many more that are fine. It's still a pretty popular method for small cabin and pole barn construction.
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paulz
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2022 11:09pm
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I'm curious too, and any method of protection. I have read everything from nothing, concrete, gravel, paint, tar, wraps, seal the bottom only, seal the sides only..
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2022 11:45pm
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My deck posts should be similar,, 4x4 pt posts.
I postholed and dropped a flattish rock in for them to sit on.
Coated the bottom and sides of the posts with 'roof tar' to the ground line, let it dry up and set them. No 'crete, just backfilled with dirt.
That was 30yrs ago on the oldest to 10yrs on the newest, no trouble with any thus far.
Im sure there are better ways to do it but its looking like these will last as long as I do.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 24 Feb 2022 04:53am
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Why not just use sono tubes? I'm not up on PT quality or gradings but I dont think UC4a is the cheap stuff?
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Tim_Ohio
Member
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# Posted: 24 Feb 2022 11:52am
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Nothing to worry about if you use concrete, as you know. Here are pics of how I did it. There are
numerous options. I liked it to look good and
easy to skirt, so it's formed up rectangular above
ground. It's not going to blow off the foundation
since it's well fastened with L-bolts.
Another option is to use Perma-columns, if you can
get them on site. They are heavy. The barn built at my place was built using them, instead of poles in the ground.
It's better resale value down the road.
Tim_Ohio
foundation 1
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foundation 2
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foundation 3
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foundation 4
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spencerin
Member
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# Posted: 24 Feb 2022 05:30pm
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The structure already exists, so can't change what's already there. Just wondering what others have observed first-hand and second-hand about this method. Again, plenty of stories about rot after a couple of decades, but you're also more likely to hear the bad stories.....
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NorthRick
Member
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# Posted: 24 Feb 2022 06:08pm
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When building the deck on the front of our house I used 6x6 foundation grade posts. It's only been about 10 years but so far so good.
I think part of it will depend on where you live. I suspect a wood foundation in Arizona is going to last far longer than one in Louisiana.
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Aklogcabin
Member
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# Posted: 26 Feb 2022 01:55pm - Edited by: Aklogcabin
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I use some cedar utility poles that were being removed for road improvements. They were in great shape when I got them and still are. Ranging in diameter of 12-18" across. They will be good for a long time.
Were remote also so getting enough concrete there for sono tubes wasn't reasonable. I did wrap felt paper around them n backfill with a cement premix. Easy to line up and cut off level. I cut a shoulder in and bolted a 6x12 beam in. It's made it through a 7.2 earthquake and gets over 4' of snow on the roof .
Still level n very solid
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