need some help on hardscaping!

Chaz · #1 08-08-2012, 10:17 AM

Hey I have a client who is interested in me installing their new pergola. It seems pretty straight forward, however this pergola will require 4 footers, about 18" - 24" deep. It is a 10x12 pergola. The posts (6x6) on the pergola will set on top of these footers and screw into them.

these are my questions;

What diameter should I make these footers?

What is the best way to insure that these footers are all level with each other?

Any tips?

Thanks!

wat5150 · #2 08-08-2012, 11:52 AM

Lawn care business tips

What are you using for footers?

dougcaskey · #3 08-08-2012, 12:50 PM

I would think you would be using concrete footers so they should be at least 10" if your are securing 6 x 6 's , I would go 12 " and secure with tapcons...Just my thoughts

Chaz · #4 08-08-2012, 01:13 PM

going to be using concrete, 24" deep is what the client requested, my thing is that the pergola is a vinyl kit so i have to make all of the footers the exact same height and the ground isn't exactly perfectly level. I don't have any heavy equipment to grade it either and really don't want to tear the yard up just to do this either

this will be built on a patio that doesn't exist yet, should i start with the patio? then do the footers before i lay the pavers?

so many questions lol

wat5150 · #5 08-08-2012, 01:26 PM

Where are you located? Here you need to be 3ft deep to go under frost wall. If you dont need to worry about heaves then its not such a big deal. You need to dig holes just like you would for a deck. Seeing as how your using pre made footers your holes are going to have to be varying depths I suppose. Fill the bottom of the deeper holes with gravel to even out. Actually all the holes should have a gravel base.

dougcaskey · #6 08-08-2012, 02:21 PM

You had me thinking in a different direction

I thought you were actually pouring footers not sinking posts

Minmum 24 " in the ground deeper depending where you are...

Chaz · #7 08-08-2012, 02:22 PM

I am located in central virginia. i am not sure what the frost wall is... but i know we are zoned 5 - 7

Chaz · #8 08-08-2012, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougcaskey

You had me thinking in a different direction

I thought you were actually pouring footers not sinking posts

Minmum 24 " in the ground deeper depending where you are...

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdf...8d3b74608b.pdf

The post will have to be bolted into the footer, so the post wont actually be submerged into the concrete.

need some help on hardscaping!

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