Porch Posts

[Porchguy]

I have a 8 years old farmers porch and have some concerns about the long-term care of the pressure treated support posts. The posts are set-in concrete round footings that are 4 feet deep. My concern is that the footings are either at or somewhat below ground level. I've pulled back the dirt and mulch from around the posts and they look to be fine.

My questions are:

Will water seep into the footings around the posts and cause any long-term damage?

Should I perhaps raise the level of the footings by adding another layer of cement to bring them slightly above ground level

Someone suggested putting curushed stone around the posts as a relatively easy fix. Would this suffice?

Thanks

:?:

[Rich]

Eventually any concrete will allow water to seep into it where there is wood in the void. The wood will expand/contract and water will get in.
The gravel around the posts will facilitate easier drainage of the water but not completely fix the intrusion of it between the wood and concrete.
I would suggest raising the footing and using a simpsons metal post base to lift the post above the concrete.

[mjpliv]

I just happened to be on that website this morning

http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/LCB-CB.html