Q. I’m concerned about the concrete deck base that’s fully above ground at my new home. The other decks in our development have the concrete piers below ground. Shouldn’t the concrete be completely ...

I completely forgot about that until I re-read the original post just recently, because I'm probably going to have a deck added onto my own house this year, and I intend to have Diamond Piers used for ...

Q. I'm building a deck and have discovered that the wooden posts can't rest on the soil. I need deck piers. What are they, and how are they installed? A. There are very few situations in which you can ...

My old wood deck is deteriorating and the stairs could be hazardous. What is the easiest way to install new ones for an inexperienced DIY-er?

Q. Tim, you helped me years ago, and now I’m back. I’m going to build a freestanding deck at my house during my vacation. After watching lots of online videos, I’m somewhat confused about how to ...

Q: I’m thinking of a career in new-home construction and know very little. One of the things I don’t fully understand is the foundation footer. I’m also stumped about piers. What’s the real purpose of ...

Q. I'm not very good at reading blueprints. On the ones for my new home, the architect has drawn a step footing. Is this an accepted way to put in a foundation? Why can't the footer that rests under ...

Contractors regularly look at the basic U.S. residential concrete foundation as being a three-day process. Excavation, footing forming and concrete placement on day one; wall forming and concrete ...