Older houses with wood porches often share a common problem – rotting porch columns or column base. The degree of rot or dry rot may vary from column to column but it is often found around the base, within a foot up the ground. Dampness around the base of porch columns, which leads to rotting, typically occurs due to the following:
– Clogged downspouts in the gutter, which causes rainwater to flow over the gutter and straight onto your porch instead
– Lush vegetation around the perimeter of the porch, which transports rainwater and excessive moisture onto your porch
– The deck is not sloped properly and water is not draining away from the columns adequately
Before you attempt any repair column base rot should be inspected first to identify what is causing it. Get rid of or resolve the source of water damage (i.e. clear out clogged downspout) to permanently stop moisture from saturating the base of the porch columns. This will ensure that after repair, column base moisture problems will not start again.
Repair Steps
1. Identify the extent of damage.
Locate the areas of the porch columns and/or base that are rotted by gently prodding them with a sharp tool. If the tool is able to penetrate the wooden surface with almost no effort, that surface is already rotted. Mark the surface a few inches higher than the rotted section.
2. Put up temporary support.
During repair, prop up the porch roof or any load being carried by the columns by installing temporary shores.
3. Remove damaged structures.
Saw off the rotted post following the mark you made earlier. Measure the length of the column splice from the point of the saw cut to the deck.
4. Build the splice.
Use treated lumber, nails, and screws to construct the column splice. Fasteners should be countersunk to allow patching up later once the splice has been installed.
5. Install new decking as necessary.
Replace old and rotted wood decking to ensure a strong foundation for the columns. Consider installing durable composite decking.
6. Put in the column splice.
Insert the splice into the hollow area of the column with a generous application of waterproof glue to its interior piece and then slide in the outer piece. When the splice is already in position, let go of the interior piece so that it falls into place.
Fasten the splice and the existing column to the interior piece with screws. Fasten the underside of the splice to the decking also with screws.
7. Perform final touch-ups.
Take down the shoring once the glue has fully cured. Sand the splice and fill in gaps and screw holes with a wood putty filler. Re-sand, prime, and paint the column anew.
Rely on Expert Skills
Expert construction skills are necessary to repair a porch column base. Fortunately, Seva Call knows how to find qualified service professionals whenever they are needed. Let us help you now!
