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I believe 4 feet is the deepest recorded frost line in Ontario, hence why to be safe, you should go down at least 4 feet.
Subsequently, what is frost line in Toronto? The posts are set deep enough to go below the frost line – 36 inches is the minimum depth, 48 inches is better. The posts are plumb.
Frequent question, how deep does ground freeze in Toronto? One of the more serious problems associated with cold weather construction is the weather which varies in an unpredictable manner from cold to very cold. In the winter time the ground can freeze to a depth in Ontario of several feet. Freezing of soil can cause significant heaving and damage to buildings.
People ask also, how deep do you need to dig to get below the frost line? The maximum frost line depth is 100-inches as seen near the tip of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Alaska, all the way to zero inches in Florida, southern Arizona, and southern California.
Also know, how deep should deck footings be in Ontario?
- Decks cannot be attached to a house unless proper footings are in place to a depth of at least 4′ and have a minimum footing size of 24” x 24” x 8” or incorporate a 24” Bigfoot and have a minimum of an 8” Sonotube.
As you can see in Canada, the required footing depth varies from 18” to 96” below grade. Our vast countries has many different frost levels.
How deep do I need to dig for a deck post?
Dig the holes six inches deeper than the required frost line depth for your area, and slightly wider than the concrete footer tubes you’ll be using. A power auger can make this step easier and faster.
How far down is the freeze line?
Per Federal Highway Administration Publication Number FHWA-HRT-08-057, the maximum frost depth observed in the contiguous United States ranges from 0 to 8 feet (2.4 m). Below that depth, the temperature varies, but is always above 32 °F (0 °C).
Why do you have to dig below the frost line?
The frost line is the deepest depth at which the moisture present in the soil is expected to freeze. Once the bottom of your footings is buried below the frost line, the residual heat in the ground below the footing will ensure the soil below the footing will not freeze in the winter.
How can you tell if there is frost in the ground?
Just walking across your soil or patting it with your hand will give away whether it is still frozen or not. Frozen soil is dense and rigid. Frozen soil feels very solid and does not give way under foot.
Should the footing be below frost line?
Most building codes in cold-climates require foundation footings be placed below the frost line, which can be about 4-feet deep in the northern United States. The goal is to protect foundations from frost heaving.
How far below frost line should fence posts be?
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need to place at least 1/3 the height of the post in the ground. For example, a 6-foot tall fence will need at least 2 feet of post in the ground. Consider the frost line in your area.
Should a fence post be below the frost line?
All fence posts should be cemented in the ground below frost level. Check your local frost level and dig deeper by at least 6″.
How far below frost line should deck footings be?
By code, the bottom of a footing must be at least 12 inches deep and below the local frostline—whichever is deeper—and bear on stable, undisturbed soil that is free of organic matter. And the code requires a minimum compressive strength of 2,500 psi for the concrete.
How deep are post holes Ontario?
Dig holes Posts need to be set below the frost line to prevent heaving. For regular privacy fences, holes need to be at least 36 inches deep or half the fence height, whichever is greater, plus six inches for base gravel. Lower fences will not likely need to be as deep (or you may use ground spikes instead).
Do deck posts need to be below frost line?
There are several ways to set deck posts; we recommend attaching the posts to concrete footers above the ground. This helps to prevent wooden posts from rotting. Set footers a minimum of 6” below the frost line for your area to prevent movement during freezing temperatures.
How deep do fence posts need to be in Ontario?
4 Foot deep is best for posts using about 2-3 bags of cement per post. Anything between 1-3 feet and your fence post will heave up. 4′ is minimum, don’t listen to your contractor – 3 feet is not enough. Winters have been getting milder in Toronto, so the frost probably doesn’t go as deep anymore.
How deep are water lines buried in Canada?
Watermain pipes are buried about 1.8 m deep, just below the the frost line.
Why deck posts should not be set in concrete?
A deck post should always be placed on top of footing, not inside concrete because it can break. … Concrete tends to absorb moisture and wood expands when it gets wet, so these two factors combined will result in the wood breaking the concrete.
Should you use 4×4 or 6×6 deck posts?
While there may be a handful of circumstances that only require the minimum 4×4 deck post, you will more than likely want to choose a 6×6 post for the deck. It provides more stability for larger decks, the ability to hold a heavier load, and more room for notching.
What is the distance between posts on a deck?
In general, posts should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart. Some builders position them every 4 feet for a completely rigid frame.
