What Do You Think Is Happening Here ?

[James L. Keilson]

I just completed an inspection today. This house has a decent size deck in pretty decent condition at first glance. When I moved in and was checking it out from the underside I noticed just about each footer has major cracks in them. What do you think?

Jim

[Christopher Currins]

From photos it looks like they dug a hole, set the post in it, and poured concrete around it. Not the true description of "footer". Movement at post will cause concrete to crack.


edit: post, not "pole"

[James L. Keilson]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

From photos it looks like they dug a hole, set the post in it, and poured concrete around it. Not the true description of "footer". Movement at pole will cause concrete to crack.

That was my first thought. unless someone has other trhories I'll buy that one.

Jim

[Kenneth R. Brittain]

The wood is getting wet and expanding which is causing it to crack at the corner which is where the greater stress is. I would also speculate that the concrete was from a bag and may not of been mixed correctly resulting in lower strength but thats just a guess.

[Peter C. Russell]

Post should sit on top of the concrete with the proper connector.
Water is getting in and either expanding the wood or freezing in the winter.

Here's a good link

http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/EPB44T.asp

[Mark L. Brown]

I agree with the weak cement in conjunction with possible freezing action. Ice is strong and will break a lot of otherwise strong materials.

[KEVIN WOOD]

I agree with Peter!
I no way should the treated lumber be imbedded into the foundation. This only works for setting in fence posts.
The other thing missing with this deck is post-to-girder diagonal bracing. This would have put extra stress on the corners.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Unreinforced concrete and improper embedment of the posts.

[Gary Farnsworth]

One heck of a large party the other night added weight to the footings.