Anchor 4x4 Post to Cement Pier

ulrichfolkers

Hi All,

The side entry steps & landing of my recently purchased house need to be replaced. It consists of 2 stairs and a 3' by 4' landing all PTL. I noticed that the existing 4x4 posts are buried about 5 or 6 inches in the ground before they come to rest on the cement piers. To say it another way, the cement piers are 5 or 6 inches below grade. I've been racking my brain trying to think of the best way to deal with this (anchoring new 4x4 posts to concrete pier) as I get ready to frame this out with PTL. I was thinking about using Simpson Strong-tie anchor ABU44 (or something similar), but I'm concerned about the anchor rusting out. Can some folks share how they would deal with this?

Thanks

Greg24k

Use Simpson post connector you can purchase in any store. You will also need a sleeve anchor to attach the connector to concrete.

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ulrichfolkers

Do you think I need to be concerned about this rusting over time?

framer52

Nope.

ulrichfolkers

Thanks......

kwikfishron

That's assuming OP doesn't live on the Coast.

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framer52

Correct.

woodworkbykirk

the type of achor greg posted is the cats meow. honestly. they have more than enough strength and the void at the bottom creates an air space so the bottom of the post itself can dry out

cortell

It should be noted it's also considerably more expensive than other, simpler post connectors.

AndyGump

Is the post to remain in contact with the ground?
That is, will be buried also?

Andy.

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Residential Drafter/Designer

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kwikfishron

I’ve used those a few times.

There easy and it’s nice they hold you off the ground and yes there pricey but when do you use them anyway???

When your building something off a slab, as an afterthought, as a way to connect something that wasn’t designed to be there in the first place.

I’ll bet that at least half the time their used there should be a footing under that slab that doesn’t exist.

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GBrackins

if you are concerned about rusting you could purchase those in stainless steel. certainly cost more.

I think Andy was bringing up the fact that if you are going to bury the 4x4's in the ground make sure your pressure treated posts are rated for ground contact and not normal pressure treated. ground contact gets more treatment than normal pressure treated.

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Gary

"You get what you pay for, and sometimes free costs more!"

ulrichfolkers

Yes, about 5 or 6 inches of the 4x4 will be buried. I was thinking about putting some gravel around the 4x4, to provide a bit more drainage.

I was surprised to find the cement column (pier) below grade. Was this a common practice at one time in the past?

ulrichfolkers

Good call about the ground contact PTL. I believe I'm looking for .60 treated vs .40 treated?

You're right about the stainless steel anchors. I'll check to see how much more they are.

cortell

Replacing the 5-6 inches of soil with gravel is a good idea. It will definitely reduce the amount of moisture that portion of the post is subjected to. However, it's much better to just extend the pier to above ground at least 4 inches.

As for why the pier was not poured to above ground...aesthetics. It's looks neater having the post come out of the ground than to have a concrete pier protruding 4-6 inches above ground. Also, it's cheaper--less concrete. It's a bad call, IMO. Eventually, that wood will deteriorate and fail--even if it's PT rated for underground use, or cedar. When? Who knows. Maybe 10 years; maybe 30. Depends on a number of factors. Keeping wood from direct contact with soil makes a drastic difference in the lifespan of the wood.