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The Ledger - Load Max is our answer for ledger connected residential decks or other structures that need to be frost resistant.
It's the next step in the development of the Deck Foot Anchor which has been a great solution for floating decks since 2012.
The open ended Load Fin allows frozen soil to expand and move freely while distributing compression loads to the soil via the auger and helical blades.
The wide fin profile stabilizes the auger against lateral forces. It is a durable and affordable alternative to traditional engineered piles that are designed for much heavier structures.
Will An Auger Work In My Soil?
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
DRIVE
Using a lightweight handheld ½" electric impact wrench and a 12mm six point socket, drive the auger deep into the soil.
INSERT
Drive the compression Load Fin over the auger and tighten the nut.
ADJUST
Adjust the post saddle in line with the beam. Tighten the upper nut to attach the saddle to the auger and Load Fin.
Helical piles are a time-tested solution for all kinds of structures like houses, commercial buildings, bridges and more. They support very heavy loads. But they usually come with a heavy price tag too.
And if they are not installed precisely, it is difficult to adjust the post saddle to align with an overhead beam. Sometimes it's impossible and a site welded bracket has to be used.
But more importantly, in practical terms, you may be paying for way more than what common light weight residential structures need. The Ledger Deck Foot Anchor is an attempt to solve that dilemma.
The Load Fin is more than 6" at it's widest point, giving the otherwise narrow auger tube massive lateral resistance in the soil akin to a much larger diameter helical pile.
The auger can still be installed easily in most soil types with the convenience of a handheld ½" drive impact wrench (18v cordless or corded).
The Load Fin allows a 4x4 or 6x6 Post Saddle to adjust up to 2” to ensure multiple saddles are easily aligned under a common carrier beam –something that is not always easy – or possible - to do with heavier style piles.
Adjustability of the Post Saddle is what really differentiates this solution from the heavy duty engineered helical piles.
HOW MANY FOOTINGS DO I NEED?
As a rule of thumb, in clay soil with a 50 psf design load, each footing should support a tributary area of no more than 40 square feet to stay within safe load limits. This ensures proper weight distribution and minimizes the risk of settlement.
If you have any doubts or questions about this, you should consult a local structural engineer to be sure you have more load capacity than what you would ever intend to load your structure to.
But the main benefit of this solution is that it can be fully resistant to frost if set deep enough into the soil. And the post saddles are easily adjustable to align with an overhead beam. Just use enough footings to easily carry the expected loads. More is better than too few.
HOW DOES FROST AFFECT THE ANCHOR?
If the blades of the auger are driven below the frost line, the entire footing remains stationary even when moisture laden soil in the frozen expands upwards. That's because there is no flat cap on the Load Fin which differs from the Floating Deck Foot Anchor.
The open compression Load Fin allows a clear path for frozen soil to expand upward if it must while the helical blades still remain fixed in the soil below the frost line.
COMPRESSION LOAD DATA
Our Intertek engineering crew travelled to the foothills of Colorado to test the load performance of this auger style because of the close proximity of both sandy and clay soils (least and most compressive).
The 36" auger is rated to a maximum of 1391 lbs (Clay) and 6285 lbs (Sandy). So make sure your structure never approaches the 1391 lbs limit per footing in clay - or the footing will depress into the soil.
If the maximum rated load in clay is 1391 lbs, design your structure so each footing will carry between 700-1000 lbs as a safety margin. For a 50 psf design load on a structure, that translates to a loading zone over each footing of 3'-9" square to 5' square max. If you don't understand this, do not use this unless you have shared the Report with a professional engineer who can explain this.
Consider these numbers the best and worst case scenarios for the greatest range of soil types in North America. So be sure to use enough footings to support your intended structure with extra capacity.
Optimal Times for Installing the Deck Foot Anchor
To ensure the best results and avoid potential damage, it's important to install the Deck Foot Anchor when the ground is fully thawed and free of frost. Attempting to drive the auger into frozen or partially frozen soil can cause excessive stress on the anchor, potentially leading to bending or breakage.
We recommend scheduling your installation during late spring, summer, or early fall — typically once overnight temperatures consistently stay above freezing and any frost has fully melted from the ground.
If you're unsure whether the frost line has completely thawed, it's best to test the soil with a metal rod or soil probe before installation. Soft, unfrozen soil will allow the Deck Foot Anchor to perform as designed, giving you a secure and lasting foundation.
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