Level.Up Adjustable Deck Pedestal Joist Support Kit (12-Pedestal Kit)

The Level Up system takes the frustration out of deck building. The system allows for hand tightened/loosened micro tweaking as you go, which was a HUGE timesaver! Considering I was making this deck to hold a hot tub, being level was a very important part of my project and with Level Up, I was able to build it level and then make tiny adjustments at the end once all the joists were in to make it absolutely perfect. With a standard deck building plan, that would have been much more difficult. I attached the outer joists first and made sure they were level (and in compressed, tamped down earth with pea gravel below the base) which honestly takes a hand twisting of each Level Up unit to do. From there I added the inner, additional joists, hand leveling with the system that twists up/down. I did also add metal brackets to brace the joists. It was just a matter of adding the deck boards from there. I made the job more complicated for myself because I decided to make the deck a bit bigger so I had to add more bracing hardware but this could have been avoided if I just bought more Level Ups. That said, because the Level Up units did their job so well, the “traditional” jousting was much easier to do. I also built this into a sunken old root cellar foundation on my property so I couldn’t access all sides. If this were built as a floating deck as it is supposed to be used, this would have likely taken me half the time. The only “warning” I would give is that it is easy to crack the semi-soft plastic brackets that you screw through to attach the wood. Simply pay attention when you get close to the final few turns of the screw. At the end of my project, the level of the deck in all directions was PERFECT!

I tested these joist supports out on some uneven asphalt where we would like to create a platform or deck and cannot dig down to level the joists with traditional supports. I found them very easy to use and level out without much problem. These joist supports are a really good design but there seems to be a slight manufacturing issue because the screw-stops that stop the the levelers from coming completely out of the base do not stop on some of the levelers and will screw completely out of the base (out of 12, 5 screwed out past the screw stops with very little resistance). This could be problematic if while leveling, you may not noticed that the leveler has unscrewed completely out and is only just sitting on the base and potentially would be unstable. Therefore, when using these pay attention to how far you’ve unscrewed them. Other than that, they are excellent for leveling and very easy to use. I do wonder how they might be in an earthquake here in California. Luckily they’re few and far between where we live. Also I want to see how long the plastic pieces last when weathered especially where the tabs bend up to be screwed into the joists. Also there is a stipulation on the warranty that the manufacturer be allowed to inspect how they were used. And “DAP assumes no liability for damage caused by flood, fire, water, earthquake, earth movement, hail, wind, insects, adverse weather conditions, vegetation, vandalism, riot, war, insurrection, contagion, pandemic, act of God, accident, or any other event or casualty”. I believe that just about covers it except for gophers & rodents.

Floating Pedestal Review DIY Review This leveling system is well-made and lives up to its claims. It’s a clever use of plastics that should hold up better than treated lumber if protected from the sun. If you know what it is and how to use it, go for it! If you don’t, I have some notes that I think you should hear. What they offer is toolless height adjustment, allowing you to achieve an overall deck height of 20”, while also providing integrated framing brackets, a plentiful margin of error for bowed wood via the floating base design (think of air hockey), and accommodations for a slope of up to 8% through use of shims. But you have to accept some non-negotiables: minimum stud size for the frame is 2x6, minimum stud spacing is 12” on center, minimum stud length is ~11.5” if you’re using these for a step (which is not recommended). One kit gets you support for an 8x8 or 8x10 deck – size can be expanded through purchase of extra kits or integration with another mounting system. Work starts with a relatively level, well draining surface. You chalk and string out your layout, figure out your needed heights for each individual pedestal, assemble the pedestals (a single screw each, included in the kit) then build your deck atop the floating wonders.. It’s important that you get the height adjustment right when you start laying out your studs, because the studs secure to the pedestals via some fold-up plastic tabs and, if the height of the pedestal is incorrect, the bracket tabs will sag under weight… (see images). Leaving you with a less secure stud. That’s a potentially dangerous, yet easily achieved user-error if you, like I, try to simplify the job by setting heights after the fact. Do everything right and in line with the (mind-numbingly thorough) manual and you’ll have a stable support system for your deck. As mentioned above, the pedestals even float, which allows for some curvature of your beams – beyond that, I’m unsure of what purpose floating serves. I broke some rules and assembled my kit to support a step to our back deck. One row of pedestals to be stabilized by fastening the step directly to the deck. I didn’t measure heights beyond desired overall height of my finished product, and I couldn’t wrap my head around the slope calculations, so I just went for it. I struggled to find the assembly step wherein it tells you to screw the top ‘mounting plate’ down to the threaded sections. I struggled trying to keep the bases in place while working. I struggled with height adjustment because my needed height was lower than the minimum, and the pedestals don’t all have a consistent minimum height. I struggled with simple stud spacing, because my step up to a preexisting deck didn’t divide perfectly for 12” or 16” on center spacing. I had a space I needed to fit into, and couldn’t parse out the advice I needed from the manual to accommodate that. In the end, I just reduced the cantilever/overhang on the outer sides to be less than the recommended 8”. Then I used a whopping 8 supports with 12” spacing. In all I think these are nice, safe, and will hold up. But I feel like there’s a missed opportunity here. I’m confident that the instructions could be further adapted to suit an amateur, and made more readable (vs. feeling like I’m just reading building code). I do have some concern about UV exposure, since we’re talking plastics. But I think using a substantial fascia to hide the pedestals will be sufficient. All said and done, I was frustrated with this project. I would have been equally satisfied setting my work on cinder blocks and shimming where needed. Half way through I thought “it couldn’t be any more complicated to learn how to cement in posts. Maybe it’d even be easier! I wouldn’t even need a flat surface then!” When this kit is made more approachable by way of instruction, when it includes easily findable tips to adapt to *your* specific needs, and facilitates height and slope adjustment on the fly, it will be an absolute asset. Until then, know what you’re doing and/or read the whole manual, otherwise you’ll have a bad time.

Expanding my front porch with a floating deck, no permit needed. These supports are going to save me A LOT of time and money. The area where my deck is going is compacted dirt full of old tree roots, so digging and pouring concrete footers is out of the question. These adjustable supports will be placed on concrete pavers and built up from there. They adjust by spinning one of the components which raises or lowers the pedestal. The instruction book is very detailed and there are several you tube videos as well to help instruct your build. Definately worth a look if youre building a ground level deck.

This Level-Up product is a good alternative to concrete pedestals or treated wood posts for setting a foundation for a deck. HOWEVER, their use requires the same diligent attention to basics as their concrete/wood alternatives. The load-bearing surface MUST be able to support the deck/load. That means preparation, preparation, preparation. ...and this point is clearly stated in the installation manual (which, by the way, is very well written with good visual references). Level-up's best feature is its capability to be adjusted by rotating the support cap/base. This allows for minor flaws in ground/surface levels and wood size variances. Another great feature is the 'system' approach used: wide, load-bearing base, leveling shims (if needed), top/cap unit being secured to your wood sub-base, and of course, the threaded male/female components which allow for height adjustment. The units are made of heavy-duty polymer and are weather, freeze and mold resistant for lasting durability and come w/10yr warranty (but my guess is they'll outlast that by a wide margin ...and most decks would require some bit of maintenance after that length of time.) The only negative (for me) is they are not warranted for use where heavy equipment (think 4-wheeler) or vibratory equipment (e.g., generator) will be used. In my application I wanted to have a small deck for storing the garden tractor, etc. ...and this would void the warranty. Even though each pedestal can support up to 750 lbs. the mfger does not recommend using with heavy equipment, etc. So, if foot traffic is all your deck will see, then this is a very good alternative to consider for supporting the deck.

I’ve been shopping for deck supports and these are great. So many features. The main support is an inner ring, a top, and a bottom. All three can be easily screwed to different heights. The inner yellow ring can be removed to provide a 2 inch support. My current ground level deck is on 2x4’s. They measure exactly. When considering this product, I was a little concerned about connecting the joists to the top. Boy, was I wrong. The cross bracket can easily handle 2 and 4 inch joists. The joist support fits snuggly on the main assembly. There is a floating base and a leveler disk included.

So, I have been redoing my deck in my backyard. In replacing the boards, I added about 200sqft the first section I am working on. The deck was 750sqft and will be approximately 950. I used partially sunken pier blocks for the added footage. I am tackling the project sections due to my schedule. I may have to repair or add footings on the next phases. I thought thay these would have been helpful in the last phase ( I didn’t know they existed) and could be useful moving forward. When messing around with the product, I found myself very skeptical of their durability. The plastic is shiny like cheap stuff that I have had negative experiences with in the past. The hinged pieces tha fold up for anchoring the joist is thin and seems too weak hold up. The pieces slip and slide against each other. I guess one could spike them to the ground, but it feels like lateral integrity is lacking. Will the plastic crack over time with temperature fluctuations? The convenience is nice on the height adjustability, but I just do not have confidence to have it holding loved ones. I will have to experiment with a less critical project before condemning.

I recently used the 12 Pack Pedestal Kit for a ground-level deck project, and I have to say, it made the process incredibly smooth and efficient. The biggest advantage is that it completely eliminates the need to dig and pour concrete footers, saving me both time and labor. These pedestals easily attach to wood joists, providing a strong substructure for the deck. Each pedestal is capable of holding up to 750 lbs, and I was impressed by how sturdy and reliable they felt once installed. The heavy-duty engineered polymer construction is not only durable but also weather and freeze-resistant, so I feel confident that this decking will last for years, even in harsh outdoor conditions. The adjustable feature is a huge plus as well, allowing for quick adjustments during installation. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional, this kit is a fantastic alternative to traditional deck blocks or footers, especially for low-profile decks. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to build a ground-level deck without the hassle of concrete footers. Pros: 1) Saves time and labor 2) Strong, durable construction 3) Weather and freeze-resistant 4) Easy to adjust during installation Cons: 1) Only suitable for low-profile decks Overall, this pedestal kit is a must-have for anyone looking to build a deck efficiently and with minimal effort!