When are the metal legs under deck posts needed?

My old deck had the 1/2 inch high set of metal legs under two of its
three 4x4 wooden support posts.

But all of the posts stood on cinder blocks. Were the metal legs
really needed?

I thought they are to keep the termites and other living things from
getting from the ground into the wood, but doesn't the cinder block
fulfill the same function? In the case of one of my new legs, it
rests on a 3 foot by 3 foot cement (or concrete?) slab. Isn't that
good enough also, without the metal legs?

The metal leg is to prevent the wood from wicking moisture from the
concrete.

G.S.

On Fri, 22 May 2009 14:19:17 -0400, mm
wrote:

When are the metal legs under deck posts needed?

My old deck had the 1/2 inch high set of metal legs under two of its
three 4x4 wooden support posts.

But all of the posts stood on cinder blocks. Were the metal legs
really needed?

I thought they are to keep the termites and other living things from
getting from the ground into the wood, but doesn't the cinder block
fulfill the same function? In the case of one of my new legs, it
rests on a 3 foot by 3 foot cement (or concrete?) slab. Isn't that
good enough also, without the metal legs?

On May 22, 1:19*pm, mm wrote:
When are the metal legs under deck posts needed?

My old deck had the 1/2 inch high set of metal legs under two of its
three 4x4 wooden support posts.

But all of the posts stood on cinder blocks. * Were the metal legs
really needed?

I thought they are to keep the termites and other living things from
getting from the ground into the wood, but doesn't the cinder block
fulfill the same function? *In the case of one of my new legs, it
rests on a 3 foot by 3 foot cement (or concrete?) slab. *Isn't that
good enough also, without the metal legs?

metal legs wont stop termites.

mm wrote:
When are the metal legs under deck posts needed?

My old deck had the 1/2 inch high set of metal legs under two of its
three 4x4 wooden support posts.

But all of the posts stood on cinder blocks. Were the metal legs
really needed?

I thought they are to keep the termites and other living things from
getting from the ground into the wood, but doesn't the cinder block
fulfill the same function? In the case of one of my new legs, it
rests on a 3 foot by 3 foot cement (or concrete?) slab. Isn't that
good enough also, without the metal legs?

The little 1/2" things are mainly to keep the end of the wood post from
wicking water up from the concrete. Concrete is a sponge, to an extent.
They make a huge difference in the lifespan of the decorative wood posts
on front porches. Lotsa times they are also used to position the post on
the concrete- you can position the metal thing exactly, anchor it, and
it holds the bottom of post against wind and aggressive kids. (When wind
lifts up on a porch roof, it can unload that column almost completely.)

--
aem sends...

On Fri, 22 May 2009 21:08:42 GMT, aemeijers wrote:

mm wrote:
When are the metal legs under deck posts needed?

My old deck had the 1/2 inch high set of metal legs under two of its
three 4x4 wooden support posts.

But all of the posts stood on cinder blocks. Were the metal legs
really needed?

I thought they are to keep the termites and other living things from
getting from the ground into the wood, but doesn't the cinder block
fulfill the same function? In the case of one of my new legs, it
rests on a 3 foot by 3 foot cement (or concrete?) slab. Isn't that
good enough also, without the metal legs?

The little 1/2" things are mainly to keep the end of the wood post from
wicking water up from the concrete. Concrete is a sponge, to an extent.

Dang, now I have to go back and put one of them in. Or three if you
say that cinder blocks have the same problem.

Although in theory this setup is only for a year or two until I decide
what I actually want.

Thanks to you and Gordon and Ransley.

They make a huge difference in the lifespan of the decorative wood posts
on front porches. Lotsa times they are also used to position the post on
the concrete- you can position the metal thing exactly, anchor it, and
it holds the bottom of post against wind and aggressive kids. (When wind
lifts up on a porch roof, it can unload that column almost completely.)

On May 22, 11:19*am, mm wrote:
When are the metal legs under deck posts needed?

My old deck had the 1/2 inch high set of metal legs under two of its
three 4x4 wooden support posts.

But all of the posts stood on cinder blocks. * Were the metal legs
really needed?

I thought they are to keep the termites and other living things from
getting from the ground into the wood, but doesn't the cinder block
fulfill the same function? *In the case of one of my new legs, it
rests on a 3 foot by 3 foot cement (or concrete?) slab. *Isn't that
good enough also, without the metal legs?

Wood in contact with concrete is a no-no unless treated or a
"resistant" species.

That's why is a wood framed structure the bottom plate / sill plate is
treated timber.

The "metal" plate (ie post base) is what is required for a post.

I'm not a huge fan of Simpson products but unless you're inclined to
design & fab your own connectors.....their stuff is generally good
enough.

http://www.strongtie.com/products/ca...ost_bases.html

cheers
Bob

On May 22, 11:22*pm, fftt wrote:
On May 22, 11:19*am, mm wrote:

When are the metal legs under deck posts needed?

My old deck had the 1/2 inch high set of metal legs under two of its
three 4x4 wooden support posts.

But all of the posts stood on cinder blocks. * Were the metal legs
really needed?

I thought they are to keep the termites and other living things from
getting from the ground into the wood, but doesn't the cinder block
fulfill the same function? *In the case of one of my new legs, it
rests on a 3 foot by 3 foot cement (or concrete?) slab. *Isn't that
good enough also, without the metal legs?

Wood in contact with concrete is a no-no unless treated or a
"resistant" species.

That's why is a wood framed structure the bottom plate / sill plate is
treated timber.

The "metal" plate *(ie post base) is what is required for a post.

I'm not a huge fan of Simpson products but unless you're inclined to
design & fab your own connectors.....their stuff is generally good
enough.

http://www.strongtie.com/products/ca...ost_bases.html

cheers
Bob

Alternatively.....you could shore (if necessary), shorten the post &
insert a sound chunk of treated timber.

imo most the Simpson post bases barely do their job, the EPB44 is
decent but hard to find sometimes, the EPB44A is a folded sheet metal
POS.


cheers
Bob

On May 22, 6:04*pm, mm wrote:
On Fri, 22 May 2009 21:08:42 GMT, aemeijers wrote:
mm wrote:
When are the metal legs under deck posts needed?

My old deck had the 1/2 inch high set of metal legs under two of its
three 4x4 wooden support posts.

But all of the posts stood on cinder blocks. * Were the metal legs
really needed?

I thought they are to keep the termites and other living things from
getting from the ground into the wood, but doesn't the cinder block
fulfill the same function? *In the case of one of my new legs, it
rests on a 3 foot by 3 foot cement (or concrete?) slab. *Isn't that
good enough also, without the metal legs?

The little 1/2" things are mainly to keep the end of the wood post from
wicking water up from the concrete. Concrete is a sponge, to an extent.

Dang, now I have to go back and put one of them in. *Or three if you
say that cinder blocks have the same problem.

Although in theory this setup is only for a year or two until I decide
what I actually want.

Thanks to you and Gordon and Ransley.



They make a huge difference in the lifespan of the decorative wood posts
on front porches. Lotsa times they are also used to position the post on
the concrete- you can position the metal thing exactly, anchor it, and
it holds the bottom of post against wind and aggressive kids. (When wind
lifts up on a porch roof, it can unload that column almost completely.)- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Old deck? my old PT deck is 20 ft from a lake doesnt have them and is
maybe 40 yrs old with not rot. They help, but they are not always
"needed". Old PT is better. If you see rot, then cut off the bottom
and use them.

On Sat, 23 May 2009 04:59:03 -0700 (PDT), ransley
wrote:

On May 22, 6:04*pm, mm wrote:
On Fri, 22 May 2009 21:08:42 GMT, aemeijers wrote:
mm wrote:
When are the metal legs under deck posts needed?

My old deck had the 1/2 inch high set of metal legs under two of its
three 4x4 wooden support posts.

But all of the posts stood on cinder blocks. * Were the metal legs
really needed?

I thought they are to keep the termites and other living things from
getting from the ground into the wood, but doesn't the cinder block
fulfill the same function? *In the case of one of my new legs, it
rests on a 3 foot by 3 foot cement (or concrete?) slab. *Isn't that
good enough also, without the metal legs?

The little 1/2" things are mainly to keep the end of the wood post from
wicking water up from the concrete. Concrete is a sponge, to an extent.

Dang, now I have to go back and put one of them in. *Or three if you
say that cinder blocks have the same problem.

Although in theory this setup is only for a year or two until I decide
what I actually want.

Thanks to you and Gordon and Ransley.



They make a huge difference in the lifespan of the decorative wood posts
on front porches. Lotsa times they are also used to position the post on
the concrete- you can position the metal thing exactly, anchor it, and
it holds the bottom of post against wind and aggressive kids. (When wind
lifts up on a porch roof, it can unload that column almost completely.)- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Old deck? my old PT deck is 20 ft from a lake doesnt have them and is
maybe 40 yrs old with not rot. They help, but they are not always
"needed". Old PT is better. If you see rot, then cut off the bottom
and use them.

That sounds great. Thanks a lot.

You saved me a trip to the store today.