Deck footing not level

BSponz1

Hi - just poured 6 footings that will accept 2 beams for a ground level deck (no posts being used). I did a dry fit of the beam and it looks like one of the six footings is slightly higher than the others, which are all level. This one footing is about 3/4 of an inch unlevel over 4 feet doesn't sound like much, but I'm spanning the 3 footing with a continuous 20' beam, so I'm anticipate it causing me problems.

One option I thought of is raising the other 5 to match, but I'd rather not do that. The only other thing I can think of is to notch the beam at the higher footing so it actually sits down level with the other 2 footings in the row.

Like I said, the footings are 20' long doubled 2x8s. Is notching in this way even possible. I haven't actually figured out how much of a notch it would have to be, but I'm figurin git would be slight.

Are there any other methods to fix this? HELP! Thanks!

Yoyizit

With 3/4" thk exterior plywood 4"x4" or 6"x6" plates, sealed with polyurethane.

kwikfishron

It’s either notch the beam or raise the deck.

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BSponz1

Thanks, but could you be a little more specific? I'm not an expert and I'm not sure exactly what you're proposing.

jogr

How were you going to attach the beam to the footings?

Willie T

Saw off the top of the offending footing (pier?) with a concrete (masonry-cutting) blade.

I take it you really meant to say "BEAM"?

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"True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and only that which is."
François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Willie T

Gary in WA

D/4 maximum notch at bearings: http://arch.umd.edu/Tech/Structural_..._Guide_A11.pdf

Be safe, Gary

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Daniel Holzman

Saw off the top is certainly one option. However, you did not indicate how you are connecting the beam to the footers. If you are using beam seats, such as the type made by Simpson, you can probably adjust the elevation of the beam sufficiently to make the setup work fine. If you are bolting the beams to the footings, and you already installed the J bolts, you probably do not want to cut the top off, since the bolts are in the way, and it would be somewhat difficult.

BSponz1

Thanks for the advice everyone. Yes, I already installed the J-Bolts, so sawing the footing down is not a preferable option. And I meant to say 20' beam, not footing.

Any other suggestions?

kwikfishron

It’s either notch the beam or raise the deck.

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BSponz1

Thanks to everyone who replied. Looks like I'm going to be notching the beam. That leads to another question.
By using the notching specs someone posted, it appears that the notch will have to be larger than allowed. What I'm planning on doing is to notch the beam so the post base sits slight up in the beam, essentially limiting the standoff the base provides. The un-notched section of the beam will sit on the concrete footing. (I know not ideal - maybe I'll wrap that section of the beam in a waterproof rubber membrain - thoughts?)

Does anyone see any issues with having a notch larger than that allowed? The notching specs that I find are for notching joists without support directly underneath that section of the joist, while what I'm proposing will have both the post base and concrete footing for support. Any additional thoughts are much appreciated. Thanks again, everyone!

Willie T

How is the notch going to be too big? I thought you said 3/4". On a 2x8, you will be allowed at least 1-3/4" notch.... No?

__________________
"True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and only that which is."
François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Willie T

HooKooDooKu

Unless raising the whole thing 3/4" of an inch is a problem or the 'J' bolts are too short, it would seem to me the sturdies/safest construction meathod would be to implement something like Yoyizit's idea of 3/4" spacers under the beam on the other three footings.

However, I personally wouldn't trust myself to build something out of plywood. I would either use Daniel Holzman's idea of using something from Simpsons to get it all back level.

BSponz1

I apologize for not clarifying. I'd have to drop the beam 3/4 of an inch to make it level, but the notich will have to be as long as the post base (4 inch). Bascially, I'm more concerned with the length of the notch than the depth. I believe the permissible length is 1/3D, which is approx 2 1/2 inches.

I attached a document to hopefully make this clearer.

Looks like I may have to raise the other 5. Any additional thoughts?

Attached Files

Footing.doc (25.5 KB, 76 views)

HooKooDooKu

Two quick thoughts...

#1. Rather than 2x8s, upsize to 2x10s and notch as needed. After all, if 2x8 was good enough, after notching a 2x10, you're still left with better than a 2x8.

#2. This seems a bit obvious, but seems to have not been discussed before. Make what ever connects the beam to the footings shorter. After all, if I understand the drawing combined with the discussions, you've got round concrete footings with imbedded 'J' bolt, one of those footings is 3/4" higher than the others, and you've got something taller than 3/4" between the footers and the beam. Shave one of those to be 3/4" less tall.

[Edit]
Third thought:
#3. Use 3 2x8s, notching only 2 of them to make room for the support, and use a 3rd as a sister to restrengthen the wood due to notching.