How to Set Up Roofing Footings

Mark the location of the roofing footings on the ground with spray paint or wooden stakes.

Dig into the ground beneath the frost line to protect the footings from shifting due to the ground freezing and thawing. If you're installing posts at the corners, or they are spaced far apart, dig a hole at each location with an augur. If there are multiple posts placed on each side, dig a trench along each side with a 1 1/2 ton excavator. Contact your local zoning board to learn how deep the frost line is in your locale.

Slide waxed fiber tubes into plastic footers to assemble the footing forms. The wide base created by the footers disperses the weight of the roof over a wider area, which can prevent the posts from sinking into the ground. You need one fiber tube and one plastic footer for each post. Also, have at least one extra footer available so you can place it on top of the tube when the concrete is poured.

Place the footing forms in the ground where the posts are being installed. Have the forms inspected, if required by your local building codes.

Check the forms for level, horizontally straight, and plumb, vertically straight, with a level, adjusting them as needed.

Backfill the area around the forms, checking them for level as you do so.

Cut off the excess tubing from the top of the forms with a utility knife so the footings are the desired depth.

Place a plastic footer upside down in the top of each waxed fiber tube. These create a funnel for the concrete when it is poured. If you only have one extra footer, place that in each tube as you pour the concrete, then remove it when the pour is complete.