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jdkeller
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 07:38am
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I am going to building a pier and beam foundation and I was curious if I could use pavers instead of brick. I am not opposed to brick, I am just weighing options.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_477061-215-506818_0__?productId=4686285&Ntt=paver&pl=1¤ tURL=%3FNtt%3Dpaver&facetInfo=
Thank you.
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 10:40am
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Piers? You mean on top of the ground? If so, I don't think it matters much, just as long as they're stable.
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jdkeller
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 11:37am
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Yes. So basically subsituting pavers for rock or brick when creating the piers (posts).
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 11:43am
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How high above the dirt will the lowest wood be?
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 11:43am
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They might be stronger, not sure. You don't want them to crush.
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jdkeller
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 12:08pm
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The lowest wood will be about a foot, maybe 18 inches. I havent really decided.
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 12:12pm
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The Lowes site you showed was in Northern MN. Is that where you're building?
Owen
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larry
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 12:16pm
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i would be wondering more about the compression strength. what is the weight they will be holding?
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 12:29pm
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I've been using cement block my whole life, but I wish you could buy wire re-enforced cement pads. We could make our own.
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jdkeller
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 12:39pm
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No, it isnt in MN. I am thinking either Virginia or West Virginia. I havent calculated weight. My initial plan is a 12 x 20. 3 piers width-wise, and 4 pierd length-wise.
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 01:37pm
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I don't think weight/compression is an issue at all with such a small building. Rather, using pavers, bricks or blocks just needs to be done carefully for long term stability. Keeping it 12 to 18 inches off the dirt should ensure that your wood doesn't rot from ground moisture, but I wonder how you will stack the pavers up to that height in a way that will remain stable. I'm sure it can be done, but it seems like you'd need more than a single vertical stack at each bearing point.
Also, you need to ask how deep you will set them in the dirt. To avoid heaving its best to dig to frost depth, or close to it.
Is there an advantage to using pavers over using standard precast piers?
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jdkeller
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 01:51pm
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Absolutely, I was going to basically build the posts like an old rock foundation wall using mortar. They would probably be about an 18" square columns.
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VTweekender
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 01:52pm - Edited by: VTweekender
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If you are not digging down and using ground level then I would go with pier blocks http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-6-in-x-10-in-x-10-in-Precast-Concrete-Pier-Block -709537/202564184 ......they are 10 inches high and you set in vertically a preasure treated 4 x 4 for your pier.....set in about 2 foot 4 x4 lengths then you can snap a line for level and cut them....whalllaaaaaa level!!!
you could fancy some stone around them after...looks great...I did it.
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 10:38pm
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Looks like pavers are viable to me. The cost is about the same as bricks, which are about 50 cents apiece, the pavers are twice that price and twice the size, with a very different look. Your 18 inch square columns seem quite adequate. Interesting way to make a pier foundation. Post photos if you do it
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jdkeller
Member
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# Posted: 2 Jan 2014 03:29am - Edited by: jdkeller
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I will, though this project will not be done anytime soon. I am drawing plans and figuring things out, but I will definitely be chronicling it.
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