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The Deck Foot Anchor with Flat Load Plate is designed for floating structures (non-ledger attached) built over pavers, asphalt, or other hard surfaces. Get strength and security with a ground-anchored connection—without digging or pouring concrete. Quickly and easily install footings for freestanding decks, pergolas, sheds, ramps, and more—in minutes!
The 3-¼" blade and 5" blade have been tested in clay for maximum compression loads of 1,391# and 5,500#, respectively.
The Deck Foot Anchor installs with a handheld ½" impact wrench. Use our hand auger tool if you prefer a manual installation.
Turn a week-long job into a weekend project.
Save money on labor, materials and time.
No sledge or jackhammers or heavy machinery.
Install in the morning and build in the afternoon.
Some soil is not well suited for augers. The soil may be full of rocks, roots or other obstructions, or frozen. So you have to do some due diligence first to know if your soil is suited for this kind of solution.
If you're unsure about your soil conditions, we recommend using our Deck Foot Anchor - Test Kit for accurate results. This kit will help you assess soil composition and confirm compatibility with our augers before you buy, giving you confidence in your foundation choice.
Additional Information
You can build your deck with joists as low as 2"-3" above grade if you wish. Simply hang the joists from the perimeter joist. If you want to extend the deck beyond the footing, extend the side perimeter joists 6"-10" and fill with blocking joists along the length.
With proper bracing in both directions from 6x6 posts to beams, you can make a six-foot high freestanding deck as solid as a rock. It's possible to go even higher but it is not intended to support decks at a second-floor elevation.
FRAMING AND BRACING TECHNIQUES
The Rule of Thumb is 6'-0" apart for each footing. This corresponds to a design load of 50 psf and tributary areas over each footing of 36 sqft.
So the total load imposed on the soil below each footing would be a maximum of 1800 psf as the footing is just slightly larger than 1 sqft.
If you have a large deck where three or more beams are going to be used, consider adding one additional footing along the interior beam. This is because the tributary loads of any structure are always greatest in the middle.
Designed for direct ground contact, the convex load plate ensures stability on compacted gravel or soil. Pairs perfectly with our Shorty or Tall Boy style Post Saddles.
Installs directly into the ground—no need for a hard surface.
Ideal for use on gravel, soil, or other compacted bases.
Provides a secure, anchored footing for your structure.
Our flat load plate allows simpler installations over pavers or stone. Pairs perfectly with our Shorty or Tall Boy style Post Saddles, or Pergola Brackets.
Remove enough pavers to allow the helical blade to clear.
Load plate rests on a hard surface.
Also useful over asphalt.
WHAT IF MY POSTS AREN'T 6x6 OR 4x4
For projects with posts that aren't using traditional 4x4 or 6x6 posts—or if you just prefer a more versatile mounting solution—our Pergola Post Brackets are the perfect choice.
They accommodate a wide range of post types, including wood, metal, hollow, and closed-bottom posts.
When using a solid wood post or a closed bottom metal post, an access hole for the drive head of the auger must be bored into the post (1-3/4" to 2" dia.).
A common bi-metal hole saw can be used to cut a hole in the flat bottom of metal post. This hole allows the drive head of the auger to reside inside the post.
This installation guide will walk you through securing the flat load plate over pavers using our Pergola Post Brackets, providing a strong and versatile foundation for your structure.
The flat plate rests on a hard surface while the helical anchor drives into the ground for added stability
If you prefer a more traditional approach, the brackets can be swapped out for our Shorty or Tall Boy Post Saddles, allowing you to customize your installation to fit your needs.
HOW DOES FROST AFFECT THE ANCHOR?
The Deck Foot Anchor™ is designed to remain securely in place, unlike traditional fence posts that can gradually lift out of the ground over time. It stays anchored while moving with the natural expansion and contraction of the soil during freeze-thaw cycles, ensuring long-term stability.
The Deck Foot Anchor - Floating™ is not promoted as a frost footing and falls under Section R403.1.4.1. Exception 3 (IRC) and Section 9.12.2.2.(7) (NBC). Therefore it is recommended for use with freestanding decks.
If you want a true frost footing that also accommodates ledger attached structures check out the Deck Foot Anchor - Ledger or the Ledger - Load Max
Here are the data from the compression tests of the auger in the best and worst type of soil.
Pull out resistance (tension) from undisturbed soil varies by soil type and auger length. If you are building a project where known uplift data is required please see our Tension Test data for sandy or clay soils based on auger length.
This is data taken from field testing by Intertek in a location in Colorado and is part of an extensive residential code compliance review program this is expected to be completed in 2022.
Everyone from the RV resort is using DecksGo Augers to keep their gazebos stationary, especially in case of a hurricane. The product is perfect—it’s sturdy and well designed. In my case, I needed help from customer service, and they went above and beyond to assist me. I highly recommend this product and the company!
We actually bought the Foot Anchor for one our installers who was putting in a ground level deck. Se said he loved the product. Installation was easy and he felt they gave the deck a more than sufficient base. We will be ordering again. Thanks.
Scott Duncan
Owner
Deck Barn
Fantastic Option for homeowners!
Lots of support online in the form of videos and written instructions. Much easier then messing with concrete. Prepping for and pouring concrete would have taken multiple days. I was able to emplace these anchors in about an hour and they are rock solid.
Deck foot Anchor system worked perfectly.. I had an existing patio ,i cutout some pavers and drilled down.. we had high winds and the gazebo didn’t move
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