Installing the Post and Beam
The first step is to locate the position of the outside posts. First measure in one inch from each side of the slab, and one inch from the front of the slab. To locate the center posts, you must divide the area between the two outside posts by the number of posts you have left and add one.
Example: If you have 2 posts left and a total distance of 18' between posts, you need to divide by three. This will give you three openings of 6' each. If you have 18' between posts with one post left, divide by two. This will give you two 9" openings. Questions concerning maximum openings can be answered by calling Sweetco.
A 1/4" masonry bit is required for the next step. Take the 3" hidden base, and line it up with the marks on the concrete that you completed in the previous step. Drill though the prepunched holes in the base, approximately 2-1/2" to 3" deep. Now tap the expansion ancors through the base and into the concrete until flush and tighten with a 3/8" nut driver until snug.
If the concrete is not square, you will need to measure out from the house the correct length on both sides and than chalk a line from the two marks.
On a manufactured home you will need to use a four foot level and level down from the side of the home at the edge of the slab to the concrete and place a mark. do the same on the opposite side. Now chalk a line. From that chalk line measure out the correct distance and place your marks where your posts are to go.
You are now ready to install the 3" x 3" support posts. It may be necessary to cut the posts to a correct height to achieve a minimum drop in the roof of 3/4 inch per foot. This is necessary to allow quicker runoff of snow or rain. To find the correct height for your posts, measure from the top of the slab to the bottom of the header, then deduct 1" for every foot you project away from the home. Example: Starting with an 8" post, if you measure 8' to the bottom of the header and your cover projects 10' away from the home, you will have to cut 10" from the unnotched end of all your posts. (Caution: See at end of this paragraph for unlevel foundation.) You may now proceed with bolting the post to the 3" bases. You will need a 5/16" drill bit. Next slide the posts over the 3" bases and drill through the post and base, making sure that the notched part of the post is not facing the home, and that they are all facing the same direction. Now bolt the posts to the base.
Caution: If the concrete is not level, post lengths will have to be compensated, to keep the 2x4 tilt beam level. When concrete is unlevel mark out the post positions (as in step 2, ill. 3). Use a 2x4 tilt beam to level across where the posts are to go, then block up the low end and measure how much will have to be added to each post to keep the 2x4 level.
You are now ready to install the 2" x 4" support beam. You will need a 4 foot level, and a 5/16" drill bit. Slide, or drop, the 2" x 4" beam into the notched part of the post. Make sure you have your correct overhang, or cantilever, extending from the last post on each side of the slab. Now you will need to level your post. To do this, put the level on the notched side of the post and slide the post right or left until level. When level, drill through post and beam and bolt together. After bolting all posts, install a 1" x 4" beam cap to each end of the beam.
STEP 3 Leveling the Beam and Post
To make sure that all posts remain level east and west, plus north and south, you must install a roof pan above each post. One screw in the boxed end of the pan and one through the pan and into the beam are all you will need at this point as you will be moving these roof pans later. When you move these pans at the later date make sure you place a screw back in the same hole and caulk the screw head so there will be no leaks. To level the beam, place the level on the side of the post closest to the home and adjust until the post is level. Now screw the pan to the beam. Complete this procedure on all posts.