[jansade]

I have metal support pole in my garage that is rusting out on the bottom due to melting snow from the cars during winter. I don't know how thick metal is but it looks bad. Are those poles filled with something or they hollow?

 

[joecaption]

Some are, some are not, no way to tell from here.
Got a picture?

 

[carpdad]

Your own garage, so probably one family house, so those columns are usually hollow. You can tap on it with a hammer to hear. The column is also 1/4" thick. Scrape the rust away and see how much of the metal you can remove. Those columns can rust away. I would recommend primer and paint, and trying to keep them dry.

 

[stadry]

carp's right,,, i always thought supporting columns had to be fill'd w/conc to meet fire code - heard it from an inspector/engineer/newbie laborer know-it-all on a job :laughing: maybe dan will chime in on this

 

[oh'mike]

Most are hollow in this area---

 

[Taylor Rae]

I've had to cut a couple that were older and they were concrete filled. However, I do know that they can be hollow. If your unsure with the tap test then just drill a small hole in it to find out if there's concrete inside. In any case It does have to be addressed before it rusts out completely.

 

[jagans]

Jack and hold with a 4 x 4, replace with a Galvanized pipe with 1/4 inch Galvanized Pads. Why Worry?

 

[GBrackins]

depends on whether lally columns or standard pipe columns where used. As stated tap and listen .....