My Sunroom Supports are Rusting Through

jlblank

Help! My sun room, built as an addition by a previous homeowner, has 4 metal post supports . Recently, I noticed that each of these posts are almost completely rusted through at the base.

I am a single mom, and a proficient do it your selfer. I would like to find out the best methods to repair this kind of damage, even if I can't do it myself, so that I can select an experienced contractor and make sure the repair is done correctly.
I really appreciate any help that you can offer.

Jamie

handy man88

Sounds like an emergency. That sunroom's posts can fail anytime and bring the whole side of the house down. Do not allow anyone to walk or jump on the floor which would induce a dynamic load onto the support structures.

A contractor will need to put up temporary supports to keep the sunroom from collapsing. Concrete footers will need to be poured, and steel posts placed on top of these footers after it cures.

Once the right height is adjusted to make your sun room level, more concrete can be poured in to secure the posts permanently. Steel posts should not touch the soil, as the moisture in the soil causes the steel to corrode and fail.

Brik

Yea, the posts need to be replaced. Not a homechepo item. Nor is this an average DIY project.

I'm not sure i would add more concrete as handy_man88 suggests. Personally I would try to ensure the height of my concrete footer was where it needed to be to accommodate a stock replacement steel column. That means a lot of measuring, etc. Also, making sure the sunroom ahas not shifter or sunk at all and to level it up before measuring. I would then just attach the post with appropriate anchors. I would also make sure the top of the footing was above grade.

Another thought. Sometmes these 3 season type rooms have warranties. See if there is a manufacturer to contact and ask/ Doesn't hurt.

Also, it may be possible to replace with wood but I couldn't say for sure w/o knowing what the load was.

handy man88

If you don't drop the footing below the frost line, you're not worried about heaving?

Brik

Of course, the footing needs to go below frost line. I suppose I wasn't clear. I would put the post on top of the footing and not add additional concrete to encase the bottom of the post. I envision the 'footing' like a deck footing. Concrete from below the frost line to above grade then post.

jlblank

Thanks! This is good information! I think I can be a bit more clear on the situation...
First, I am near Atlanta, GA - I am not sure how that affects frost/freezing requirements.
The sunroom is off the second floor with nothing under it except these poles holding it up, it also has an exterior door out to a deck with a staircase. The underneath is enclosed with lattice.
I have a picture of it, from another really exciting day of homeownership - I don't know if from this picture you can see the TREE Hurricane Dennis relocated clearly, but it is on the chimney! The deck and stairs have been replaced since this picture, and are anchored solidly in concrete.

This sunroom was built by the previous owner - and after repairing many of his "improvements" we long ago decided not to jump in the sunroom!! Pretty much just my cats enjoy it. I have always felt it had quite a slope, too, and figured it probably started out as a deck, sloped for drainage, and the sunroom was added onto the deck...

Anyway, I do appreciate the information.

Jamie