Do these porch columns provide any support?

r0ckstarr

That sag is the fascia's.

hand drive

the fascia couuld be getting rotten from the valley leaking, if you see the underside of the plywood on the roof wet when you pull the fascia (open rafter tail without sub fascia). though the rot is most likely from blowing wind while the valley dumps water, the drip edge looks to be in question as well- the shingles should stick past the drip edge at least a little bit more than they are there.

Larryh86GT

If the columns are support there wouldn't there be a steel pipe in them?

r0ckstarr

I assume it is safe to say that they do not offer any support. I just pulled the fascia off.

Next to the split 2x4, you can see nails coming up through the soffit. It looks like someone ran the nails through the top of the column at an angle to hold it in place.


IMGP4231 by r0ckstarr, on Flickr


IMGP42312 by r0ckstarr, on Flickr

hammerlane

Well that sucks. It just made that job a whole lot easier.

r0ckstarr

Haha, yeah!

r0ckstarr

Being that my access to those nails is very limited, are there any suggestions on how to remove the column? I can't reach them with a reciprocating saw, and trying to hammer them back out is just out of my reach. I have no access to them from inside the attic. I took a scrap piece of wood and put it up against the bottom of the column, then started lightly hitting it with a rubber mallet. I shifted the column, but then decided it was best that I ask first.

framer52

carefully rock the column back and forth which should give you enough room to slide a saws all blade to cut.

r0ckstarr

Thanks. I'll try that right now.

drtbk4ever

Just cut the plywood around the post since you are going to replace it anyway.

I'm wondering.... It looks like that post is located directly under that beam. I wonder if at one time, it actually supported the beam. It seems like that beam isn't overly large to span a fairly long distance, and it looks like it is supporting at least a portion of the roof over the patio.

Any thoughts from the experts on that?

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Bill

A DIY Noob that knows just enough to be dangerous.

r0ckstarr

I followed framer52's advice on rocking it and cutting the nails. The column is out. It wasn't offering any support at all.

Unfortunately, I need a new column. This one has soft spots of rot about 6-8 inches up from the bottom. The column is also what appears to be three 2x6's glued together to make a 6x6 square, then turned on a wood lathe to make the shape. As I was carrying it to the garage, the glue let go on part of it and it started to split. I could glue and screw it back together, but like I said, it has some rot.

When I put the new column in, I will put it under a beam, just be safe.


Edit. I didn't realize it was getting so late in the day. (2hrs of sunlight left). I haven't pulled the old soffit down yet, so I will do that tomorrow. I've been cutting and fitting the fascia boards in between primer / paint coats on the new soffit board. I'll probably tack up the fascia's to keep critters out overnight, then get started at sun up tomorrow morning. This will also give me some time to go to the local hardware stores and see if I can find a matching column.

Why has it taken me all day to do this little job? I have a girlfriend who won't stop asking questions and worrying that the house is going to fall down.


shesdrivingmecrazy!

r0ckstarr

Showing the rot at the bottom.


IMGP4232 by r0ckstarr, on Flickr

The soft spots:


IMGP4233 by r0ckstarr, on Flickr

And where it started to separate while I was carrying it.

IMGP4234 by r0ckstarr, on Flickr

I'd say this one is done, and needs to be replaced.

hand drive

those certainly look like decorative posts in your situation -optional porch detail... were both posts toenailed to the plywood soffit ? looks like that beam in the pic catches some of the weight for the rafters where they go from the ridge and land across the exterior wall extending out to form the roof edge but those posts would have only helped hold up the soffit in that one spot. good thing you caught it, soon the posts would have been hanging by the nails and pulling down the soffit..

oh'mike

Those are rather common items-----any good lumber yard will have those in stock or could get them for you in a few days------

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r0ckstarr

Thanks. Being that they don't offer any support, I am going to finish the soffit and fascia board, then go find another column later today.