Deck Stabilizing Techniques

Footing Preparation

• The kind of footing used for a deck depends on the deck's type and style. Your location's building codes may include regulations for deck construction, and they may specify the type of footing allowed or required in the locality.

Cement Footing

• Cement footing is the type most commonly used by professional contractors and accepted by building regulations. It is considered the most stable form of footing for a deck. The installation involves digging post holes, adding small drainage stones, inserting a cement tube and filling it with concrete. The deck posts are secured to the footings via a J-bolt that is placed in the center of the concrete footing's top before the concrete sets.

Concrete Slab

• Deck anchors are used to stabilize ground-level decks and decks that are one step above ground. The anchors are drilled into concrete slab and designed for deck posts to fit snugly into them. The result is a stable, level deck. Variations of this option involve the use of concrete slabs under the deck posts. Post anchors are used for stabilization in that situation, provided the slabs can be drilled without cracking.

Boards and Wood Screws

• Boards and wood screws are used to stabilize a freestanding wood deck without attaching it to the house. The beams that support the deck run perpendicular to the house, and the decking board are parallel to the house. That design creates the best stabilization formation. Placing boards between the deck joists offers stabilization, too, and the butt joints are staggered.