Question on Deck Stair Footings

[white91formula]

Hi Guys,

I need to replace the stairs on my deck as the stringers are rotted/splitting where the screws were driven in to hold the treads. The stairs are also on the inside middle of my deck, not along the permimeter and it really divides the deck. It also doesnt allow us to open the window that is in our basement because the stairs are blocking it.

I would like to move the stairs to the outside. My plan is to put 2 more 4x6 posts (A & B in the pictures) with another carrier beam on top of it. put new joists across the deck to extend it out and have the stairs come out the perimeter of the deck landing where C is shown on the pictures. Seperate from doing that i would replace the joists in the other part of the deck to close in where the stairs were.

My question is what do you think of putting footings for posts A&B along the retaining wall. For reference the retaining wall is ~4ft tall and it is 48-49" from the outside of the 4x6 posts to the edge of the retaining wall block.

I am trying to get everything in order before i go to the town as the inspector in the town is one miserable SOB

 

[flyingblind]

First question is why do you need it inspected? Around here that would be a less than 200 square foot remodel. No permit required. But if you have to permit and inspect, I think you may have to move away from the wall a little to allow for footings. But looks good otherwise.

 

[billconner]

Are you thinking of auguring a hole for each and sonotube? I think this is one where I'd look into helical piers. Not sure they can be located as precisely as you need. But sonotube, I don't think it would matter if wood column was pushed to side of concrete.

 

[Zeke]

My first guess is that if you permit this, the so called SOB will call for engineering on the wall to put post anchors on it. For me it would appear to be easier to put piers inside the wall.

Do you know how that wall was constructed? Some are an "L" with a lateral footing going back towards the house. You may end up resting on that. I won't ask about frost line because I'm not familiar with your weather.

 

[white91formula]

First question is why do you need it inspected? Around here that would be a less than 200 square foot remodel. No permit required. But if you have to permit and inspect, I think you may have to move away from the wall a little to allow for footings. But looks good otherwise.

I have a bunch of other work to do. The deck is 400sqft and im doing more than the stairs. I also have to replace the sliders that are on the deck. We got nailed for doing a water heater without a permit after the town jacked the street water pressure and caused the blow off valve on the WH to pop flooding my basement. Long story but im on their radar now unfortunately. My house and back is fairly visible from 2 cross streets. the town inspector has also been caught several times flying a drone over peoples houses to see what they are doing. just dont want to deal with the headache.

Are you thinking of auguring a hole for each and sonotube? I think this is one where I'd look into helical piers. Not sure they can be located as precisely as you need. But sonotube, I don't think it would matter if wood column was pushed to side of concrete.

My first guess is that if you permit this, the so called SOB will call for engineering on the wall to put post anchors on it. For me it would appear to be easier to put piers inside the wall.

Do you know how that wall was constructed? Some are an "L" with a lateral footing going back towards the house. You may end up resting on that. I won't ask about frost line because I'm not familiar with your weather.

I was going to dig holes for sono tubes yes. I was unaware of the piers, i will look into them. I meant to mention in my original post that the garden bed there has drainage under it, so i am assuming there is crushed stone/gravel somewhere under the dirt. I do not know how the wall was built, before my time. sounds like i might have to dig some holes to see whats going on down there.

I am in Massachusetts so frost line is 30-35"

 

[billconner]

Drone? Massachusetts I guess.

 

[Zeke]

No one should be flying a drone over your property. Google maps is enough of an invasion. He does that and gets caught, demand a search warrant or have him charged with invasion of privacy. The ability to look down from an otherwise not usual perspective, e.g., standing on a ladder to peer over a fence can constitute an invasion of privacy.

I'd be a close call but a lawyer ought to be able to scare the **** out of someone flying a drone using a camera, either live or taking pics.

 

[sleek98]

A couple things come to mind being close to the wall. If you can dig them deep enough to be level or below the wall base the stair footings shouldn't put pressure on the wall, however if they used geo-grid you would have an issue getting through that.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Because of the wall, and I’m sure there is some loose fill. Digging down far enough to get @/below the frost line may damage the integrity of the wall itself.

Have you considered a spiral stair at that far end of the deck? I could see it coming down and stepping right onto the concrete deck below. The ONE anchor at the bottom will be plenty far from the wall- only one hole to dig!

 

[larry4406]

Here’s an excerpt from a recent deck on a house of ours. Might give you some ideas on the stair and landing.

Ours had stairs down straight out to a landing and then turned.

 

[white91formula]

im asking because i dont know. Why 6x6 and not 4x6 for the support posts ?

my basis for that is the deck currently on the house is 4x6 posts.

I think im going to dig a couple holes to get a better idea of whats going on next to the wall and with the existing support post footings. Will report back after that happens.

 

[coldh2o]

What about making your extension wider? Put the footings in front of the wall, in the garden bed.