Porch column repair

r0ckstarr

As a continuation of this thread:

Do these porch columns provide any support?

I decided to make another thread about this, since it really doesn't fit the roofing section, were the original thread is located.

I looked around at a couple hardware stores, but couldn't find an exact match for the column. Some were very close, but had tiny differences that I know would just bother me if I didn't have two matching poles. So, I picked up an 8ft 2x6 for under $4.00.



Here's the rotten part of the column.



Here's where the column split when I removed it.


After cutting off the rotten portion, I got to work on that new 2x6.



I soon found out that three sections of 2x6 stacked wasn't tall enough to match the column. Good thing I kept that rotten fascia board I replaced.



Now, it matches almost perfect with about a 1/8th inch overlap on the sides.

I used auto body filler to fill in the crevices where the boards were rounded at the corners along the sides. I also filled in where I sunk my nails.



Once that dried, I got busy sanding it all down.



I glued the pieces back together where it split, and ran a few small nails through to hold it in place.

r0ckstarr

It would be a few days before I could get back to work on it again, and I still had some primer in the paint tray, so I coated the block I made. I don't really know why. It was all going to get sanded down again. I guess I am just too used to doing body work on cars outside.



Next, I glued and clamped the block I made to where I cut off the rotten part. I also drilled out pockets and sank screws down in them to pull the two ends together. (6 screws total, 2 on opposite sides, and 1 on opposite sides.) I used more body filler to fill in those pockets to hide the screws.



These pictures are mid-way into sanding it all flush.





All sanded, primed, and painted the very bottom. Then added the base that I found for it.


Then I put it in place and painted the rest of the pole. I ran a small bead of caulking around the top where it meets the soffit to smooth out the transition before painting.



Showing the bottom base:


Next, ill cut off some of the other pole and add a base to the bottom of it before it rots out also.

For under $4.00 and a few hours time, i'm not complaining. It definitely looks better than before, and depending on where you stand, a palm bush blocks it anyways.

shumakerscott

I like how you did it. It won't be rotting in the future. Thanks for posting about your posts! dorf dude...

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joecaption

Get back to use in a year and let us know how that worked out.
I'm concered that when the wet pressure treated drys out, and painting wet pressure treated wood which will seal in the moisture.

Looks nice now though.

shumakerscott

Sorry Joe but he didn't mention Pressure Treated wood. Just a normal 2x6 from what I read. With that foot keeping it off the ground it should be fine. Let us know in a year or so. I'll still be here. dorf dude...

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joecaption

May be right, hope it works out, lot of work and it looks nice.

Natineah

It sure looks even better and we appreciate the step by step with matching photo do it yourself project of yours.

r0ckstarr

The scrap piece left over and the stamping.

Attached Thumbnails

   

Sir MixAlot

Nice job RS!

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kimberland30

Exactly what I needed, thank you! Did you buy the bottom base at a box store or did you find it in a supply store? I hope to find something like it here - much better than the type that screws into the porch concrete.

hammerlane

Now throw those old posts in the firepit

r0ckstarr

It's a cast aluminum base. I found it at Home Depot when I was trying to find a match to my column. After I couldn't find a match and decided to repair mine, I went back and got it.

I found it on a shelf under where they keep their columns.

<*(((><

Nice work there! And good thinking on using the post standoff, you saved the next generation from having to redo your work!

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-luke-

r0ckstarr

I have to give credit for that one to joecaption. I didn't even know there were bases that you could put the columns on until he told me in another thread.

RWolff

Real nice!

It's a misconception that painting, staining or lacquering wood seals anything 100%, it doesn't, finishes only slow down the moisture exchange process, they don't act like the wood was encased in hermetically sealed glass.
Latex paint breathes, it also contains water which soaks into the wood a little anyway, and dries out.
If the OP used really WET treated lumber as opposed to treated lumber that has sat around for months in a shed at the lumber yard, the paint may peel off faster than it otherwise would, but I doubt he used really WET lumber and then painted right over it.
I have done similar work and I always used treated lumber and painted it, but then I used lumber that was at least mostly dry not waterlogged fresh from the stack.