How much does the ground move with frost heave?

Terrain with high water tables and particularly expansive soils such as peat or clay often suffer from frost heave and damage buildings. It’s not uncommon to see a deck or shed move as much as 7 or 8 inches, and in some cases much more than that, even up to two feet.

How do you solve frost heaves?





One of the most effective ways to prevent frost heave from occurring in the garden is by insulating the soil with mulch such as pine bark or wood chips, or by placing evergreen boughs over the garden. This helps to moderate temperature fluctuations and reduce frost penetration.

What are the three factors of frost heave?

The three elements necessary for ice lenses and thus frost heave are: Frost susceptible soil (significant amount of fines).

  • Rate of heat removal.
  • Temperature gradient.
  • Mobility of water (e.g., permeability of soil)
  • Depth of water table.
  • Soil type and condition (e.g., density, texture, structure, etc.)

At what temperature does frost heave occur?

32 degrees





While frost heaves usually occur in early spring, they can form anytime temperatures fluctuate above and below 32 degrees (F). Frost heaves result from a combination of cold air and adequate soil moisture. As the cold sinks to the ground, water within the soil starts to freeze.

Does gravel prevent frost heave?

Gravel soil itself is generally considered as free from frost heaving. Therefore, it is usually used as soil base construction material in seasonally frozen regions. However, when gravel soil contains a certain amount of fine grained soil, especially silt soil, then frost heaving will still occur.

Does concrete settle after frost heave?

When the moisture in the soil freezes, it expands as all water does. This expansion pushes up against the concrete slab and raises it. Frost heave is fairly typical in our weather climate. In many cases the slab will settle back down after the frost leaves the ground and return to its original position.

What type of soil is most susceptible to frost heave?

silty clay soils



Silts or silty clay soils are considered amongst the most frost susceptible. Silt, because of the extremely small size of its particles, or gradation, permits and encourages the flow of water by capillary action through its pores.

Does ground freeze under concrete?

A bit of insulation under the concrete layer slows the penetration of cold down into the earth. This can help you prevent frost heaving because the ground underneath (unless it gets really cold) won’t freeze!

Does frost go deeper in sand or clay?

Because clay particles have a higher insulation value than silt or sand particles and since clay soils normally hold more moisture than silts and sands, the depth of frost penetration is usually greater in silt and sandy soils (light-textured soils) than in clays and silty clays (heavy-textured soils).

Should fence posts be set below 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 fence posts be?

2 feet

However, when all is said and done, setting your posts at least 2 feet underground is a safe bet. Frost heaves can also push up plants and expose roots to damaging wind and cold, not to mention poorly prepared roads and sidewalks.

Will deck blocks heave?

It is essential to remove all organic material as this will make the block unstable. in the hole and compact. This is to provide drainage under the deck block to minimizing heaving. The water draining away and space between the rocks provided room for the ice to form without moving the block.

When should you not use deck blocks?



Don’t Use Deck Blocks for Decks Attached to a House
Deck blocks are only for floating decks, but if you attach the deck to the house, one side is floating. The other is not. Putting strain on the house’s foundation and potential for the deck to pull away from the house.

Can I use concrete pier blocks instead of footings?

Pier blocks can be used instead of footings for a ground-level deck not requiring permits. Piers blocks can also be used if the frost level depth is less then the height of the pier block. Allowing you to set the pier block below the frost level on stable ground.

Do deck footings need to be below the frost line?

Footings typically must extend below the frost line to prevent shifting during freeze-thaw cycles. Dig footing holes about 6 inches deeper than required.

How far below the ground should the top of the footing be?

BLoB oR PAD FootInGS
no reinforcement. The depth below ground level to the base of the footing should be not less than 300mm or to rock, whichever occurs first, which allows for a minimum of 100mm of ground cover to the pad.

What size footings do I need for a 6×6 post?



FOOTINGS: – Poured concrete footings should be a minimum of 8” wider than the posts (4×4 post – 12” min. width, 6×6 post – 14” min. width), a two level deck or deck with roof – 24”x24”.