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Posted by No on June 27, 2005, 10:52 am
> What is the footing of the base of the steps? If it is just a floating
> slab then I wouldn't worry about going down below the frost line, just
> make a 18" deep block to attach the base of the post to and be done.
> If the pad at the base of the steps is floating, you need the post
> holding the base of the railing to float as well or it will rip loose
> this winter when the base of the steps frost heaves upward and the
> railiing doesn't.....
>
> You will still probably need to attach some blocking to the stringer to
> the post just to keep the steps fixed to the post properly if you know
> what I mean.
>
Thanks again - For future benefit to others here is what I did.
Dug down next to stair about 18" deep. Discovered a concrete base under the
stringers. This base was only about 14" deep and was not build with any
form. I made a U shaped form and pourde my concrete right up against the
existing concrete for the stair stringers. The thought here is that if one
moves, so does the other. OK, Now Once the concrete set up I drilled for an
anchor and used a bolt down post plate. I was also able to put in some
blocking and use two carriage bolts into the stair stringer. It doesn't
wobble but I do not think it would take 200lbs of lateral force at the
handrail either.
What would have been a better way of doing this?
I suppose rebilding the stairs so the stringer lined up with the post plus
using one of those steel tube post bases you bury into your concrete.
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