# How to Remove Deck Footing
Installing a deck requires the building of a structural frame to support the joists and deck floor. Posts provide the major sources of support for this framework, and poured concrete footings support these posts. If you decide to move or remove a deck from its position, one way to get rid of the posts is to simply cut the posts back to ground level and leave the footings in place. If you want to be able to dig into that area of the lawn again, though, you must remove the footings.
Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Sledge hammer
Instructions
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1
Dig down around the posts of the deck that are left behind in the ground. Remove the soil out from around the posts roughly 12 inches in all directions.
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2
Pry each post out by placing the shovel beneath it and lifting if little concrete was used. If the concrete weighs 50 pounds or less, you may be able to lift it out of the hole without additional work.
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3
Break up the concrete with a sledgehammer if the footing weighs too much to lift it from the hole in one piece. Divide the concrete up into pieces small enough for you to comfortably lift out of the hole.
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4
Remove all of the concrete pieces from the ground. Use a shovel to get to the pieces too deep to remove by hand.
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Next:
Decks & Patios
- How to Build a Deck With Four Concrete Posts
- How to Move a Deck
- How to Build a Back Deck
- How to Float a Deck on a Slope
- How to Apply Concrete to a Wood Deck
- How to Cut a Concrete Deck
- How to Design a Small Deck
- How to Install Fence Posts in a Footing
- How to Remove a Concrete Footing
- How to Install Wood Deck Posts
- How to Cure the Concrete Footing for a Deck
- How to Build a Concrete Deck Footing Tube
