[SimaNole]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice on securing 6x6 pergola posts to the lower cement block wall shown in the attached picture. The pergola will run the length of the house and the top lattice beams will secure to a beam attached to the cement blocks on the house just below the siding.

The posts will also have 45 degree wood supports to strengthen horizontal movement.

My concern is the strength of that wall and whether it is enough to support a pergola, and if by securing it to the wall there would be a potential to cause damage and have it collapse.

What you don't see is that on the other side of the wall there's dirt and grass that will ultimately be replaced by stone pavers. The top of the wall is level with the bottom of the house.

 

[Thurman]

My first thought: Is he/she setting the 6x6 post in concrete or standing them on pads? I've built a few Pergola's and in this situation I would definitely set the posts in concrete at least 24" deep. Do the concrete blocks sit below grade? If so, then you can put the post up against the block wall below grade and pour around the post. I do all I can to avoid anchoring posts to concrete block walls or concrete walls.

 

[jlhaslip]

I agree that running the posts in to the ground and onto pads suitable for your frost zone is a good idea.
I would not attach the posts to the masonry wall alone. That would place a shear load on the wall and the connectors.

You may want to discuss your options with a local building inspector. They will need to approve the method and connection.

 

[Msradell]

lain:

My first thought: Is he/she setting the 6x6 post in concrete or standing them on pads? I've built a few Pergola's and in this situation I would definitely set the posts in concrete at least 24" deep. Do the concrete blocks sit below grade? If so, then you can put the post up against the block wall below grade and pour around the post. I do all I can to avoid anchoring posts to concrete block walls or concrete walls.

Definitely, the only way to do it. Attaching to the block wall could have too many adverse consequences.

 

[SimaNole]

Thank you all for the quick responses. I'm attaching an angle from the other side of the wall.

From your responses it appears using the cement wall would be a bad idea. Instead, I will use 36" cement piers 24" in the dirt instead and Simpson ties or the like to secure the posts with.

I live in North FL so there's no concern with frost.

 

[jlhaslip]

I live in North FL so there's no concern with frost.

Whining is not allowed on the Forum... We know you miss ice skating to school... LOL

Lovely garden, by the way.

 

[SimaNole]

Whining is not allowed on the Forum... We know you miss ice skating to school... LOL

Lovely garden, by the way.

Haha. That actually sounds like fun. Would have been better than sweating to school.

Appreciate the comment. This is our first summer in the home, so the blooms were a bit of a surprise. Been having a lot of rain, so I suspect that is why they are so top heavy.