PSA: My buddy's deck collapsed because he skipped the concrete footings

He told me he just set the posts in the dirt to save a weekend. The whole thing fell over after a heavy rain last month. Anyone else seen a shortcut on a big project go this wrong?

3 comments

3 Comments

scott.charlie1mo agoMost Upvoted

Skipping the concrete footings is a perfect example of a bigger problem. People treat the stuff you don't see as optional. It's like skipping the frame in a wall because you'll cover it with drywall anyway. The foundation always matters most, and when it fails, the whole show comes down. It's a hard lesson that costs way more time and money than doing it right the first time.

henderson.mason3d ago

But where does that mindset even start... is it just trying to save a buck, or is it more about not really understanding how things are connected? Like, do they think the gravel will magically lock itself in place?

willow_king1mo ago

Oh man, that is ROUGH. I feel for your buddy, I really do. My neighbor did the same thing with a shed base, just gravel in the holes, and the whole thing listed like a sinking ship after one winter. It's such a painful way to learn that lesson.