Frequently Asked Questions

The Post Saddle can support a minimum of 15,000 lbs before destruction. However, the maximum weight each Ledger Deck Foot Anchor™ (3-¼" dia. blade) depends on the bearing capacity of your soil type. The range between clay or sandy soil based on our testing reports is a maximum of  1,391 lbs (clay) to 6,285 lbs (sandy) respectively. For helical blade compression loads see the Compression Chart.

The Ledger Deck Foot Anchor™ is designed for residential decks, walkways, shed platforms and similar structures - very much like the Floating Deck Foot Anchor. Except this footing can withstand frost if that is what you need.

Yes, the Ledger Deck Foot Anchor™ was designed to withstand frost and if the blades are embedded deep enough below the frost zone the entire footing system will remain stationary relative to the soil below the frost line.

The auger blades are screwed deep into soil below the expected frost line. When the upper zone of moist soil freezes and expands, the soil is free to move vertically without obstruction alongside the auger tube and the lateral resistance panels of the Compression Load Fin. It stays stationary while the soil moves in its seasonal manner.

Yes, the Ledger Foot Anchor™ was designed to be used for ledger connected residential decks. The Post Saddle can slide laterally to align with an overhead beam giving the installer a margin of error when driving the augers into the ground.

Yes, the Ledger Deck Foot Anchor™ can be used with a deck extension that connects to another ledger connected deck becaus they should be resistant to frost.

Yes, decks connected or supported by a dwelling must be protected from frost by foundations, walls, piers etc that extend below the frost line (Section R403.1.4.1, IRC)

Section 105.2 (10) of the IRC specifies which work is exempt from a permit. It states, “Decks not exceeding 200 ft 2 in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, and do not serve the exit door required by section R311.4.”, constitute work exempt from permit. All other work requires a permit.

We have compression and load data for augers in various soil types, uplift data, post saddle compression, and uplift data which can be shared with a local inspector for them to consider with your permit application. (see Compression Chart and Uplift Chart)

Visit https://store.decksgo.com/pages/engineering-reports

Use a ½" drive impact wrench (corded or 18V) with a 12mm six-point hex socket. Use a common sledge hammer to drive the Load Fin into the upper 12" of soil.

A safe Rule of Thumb is to space footings at 4'-5' apart maximum under a beam on a ledger connected deck. This is based on decks designed to support up to 50 psf (10 psf dead load, 40 psf live load).

Yes, given the soil test data and the diameter of the auger blade, we recommend maximum tributary areas above each footing of between 16-25 sqft. maximum.  This is intended for the worst soil type and could increase or decrease depending on the bearing capacity of your soil.

The blades of the auger must be below the frost line of function as a frost footing. Augers are available in 3' and 4' lengths plus 2' extensions to create 5' and 6' augers if necessary.

To function as a frost footing the auger blades should be deep enough to pass through a disturbed soil area and well into an undisturbed soil area.

If an auger strikes an immovable obstruction it can be retracted by reversing an impact wrench or reversed by hand using a 24" breaker bar or a 2x4 and the Auger Hand Tool.

Building on any slope is risky. Gentle stable slopes do not pose a problem. However, any slope greater than 4:12 should be assessed for its stability before building any structure.