Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - dry rot and support post
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tranmanyo
10-03-05, 02:14 PM
I have a support post that holds up the roof overhang over our porch. The post is 6x6 in girth and about 10 feet tall and sits on our wooden porch. The bottom 6 inches is pretty rotted. I was wondering whether it is safe to saw out the bottom portion and cut a small block to fit and brace the two pieces of wood together with metal brackets. I would like to avoid replacing the whole post as it is quite ornate and probably pretty hard to find a replacement.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
lefty
10-03-05, 10:52 PM
Replace the ENTIRE post!!
There will be nothing "ornate" about your roof sitting on the ground when the patch fails!!!
There will be nothing "ornate" about your roof sitting on the ground when the patch fails!!!
bigdaddy832
10-06-05, 01:09 AM
I would cut the rotten part out of the bottom of the post in an "L" shape. Cut the new piece in an "L" shape to fit where the rotten part was cut out. Get a small spacer(not sure of the name) to fit under the post to allow water to drain off without rotting the post again. Fit the two pieces together so that they are snug without gaps and countersink the bolts to hold them together. Allow room for the spacer when measuring. Maybe someone else will have a better idea. Good luck!
didit_myselfer
11-03-05, 02:43 AM
I've been working on my mom's house, that I grew up in, my parents bought it new in 1957 so I have run in to a lot of dry rot! The best thing I've found is CPES (Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer) you can read about it at;
http://www.smithandcompany.org/ I know I sound like I'm selling the stuff, I wish I was! The stuff has saved me because our house is a 2 story & the 2 floor has a deck across the front & down one side and the joists that support it run back to the center beam that supports the 2 story (about 22 feet) so being able to repair instead of replace has save time and $. CPES seals ant hardens the damaged wood & if there is any missing they also have Fill-It Epoxy Filler! If you check out "Six Steps to Restoration" at http://www.smithandcompany.org/6piece.htm it shows a step by step demo.! Well, gotta go I'm trying to finish the stairway before the rain hits again! GOOD LUCK!
PS:The Online store is at http://www.star-distributing.com/online-store/scstore/index.html
http://www.smithandcompany.org/ I know I sound like I'm selling the stuff, I wish I was! The stuff has saved me because our house is a 2 story & the 2 floor has a deck across the front & down one side and the joists that support it run back to the center beam that supports the 2 story (about 22 feet) so being able to repair instead of replace has save time and $. CPES seals ant hardens the damaged wood & if there is any missing they also have Fill-It Epoxy Filler! If you check out "Six Steps to Restoration" at http://www.smithandcompany.org/6piece.htm it shows a step by step demo.! Well, gotta go I'm trying to finish the stairway before the rain hits again! GOOD LUCK!
PS:The Online store is at http://www.star-distributing.com/online-store/scstore/index.html