How to Repair a Rotted Porch Post | Ask This Old House
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2016
- Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to permanently patch a decaying porch post. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)
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Tom used a half-lap joint to attach the new post to the old post. He then used "Ready Patch" exterior spackle to fill the small gaps. It is manufactured by Rust-oleum [www.rustoleum.com/].
Shopping List for How to Repair a Rotted Porch Post:
- 2x4s [amzn.to/2Lwm9DJ], used as temporary support posts
- Two sawhorses [amzn.to/2LoRI3Q]
- Rough-sawn cedar 6x6 [amzn.to/2MWKYfk], to patch rotted post
- 100-grit abrasive disks [amzn.to/2ZM0exz], for random-orbit sander
- Construction adhesive [amzn.to/2HPObsZ], for adhering the new post section
- 5-inch structural screws [amzn.to/2MWXo74], to secure the new post section
- Exterior-grade wood putty [amzn.to/2LjUoiW], for filling holes and cracks
- Spray primer [amzn.to/2LlENiP] and paint top coat [amzn.to/2MVpsb1]
Tools List for How to Repair a Rotted Porch Post:
- Cordless impact driver [amzn.to/2LraKFj]
- Hydraulic jacks [amzn.to/2NQp1OM], to temporarily support the porch roof
- Reciprocating saw [amzn.to/2NQJfI5]
- Circular saw [amzn.to/2zWYuY0]
- Layout square [amzn.to/2UuozXK], for marking scarf joint cutlines
- Random-orbit sander [amzn.to/2ZQYjb8]
- Hammer [amzn.to/2UuaXvL] and wood chisel [amzn.to/2PNvVqI], for cleaning up scarf joint
- Caulk gun [amzn.to/2UtWobu], for applying construction adhesive
- Putty knife [amzn.to/2NYqiDg], for spreading construction adhesive
- Power plane [amzn.to/2NQ9C0L], to plane down the new post section
- 3-inch sash paintbrush [amzn.to/2ZM27KR], for applying paint
Steps for How to Repair a Rotted Porch Post:
1. Unscrew and remove the handrail attached to the rotted porch post.
2. Temporarily support the porch roof on either side of the rotted post with a hydraulic jack and a long 2x4 post.
3. Use a reciprocating saw to cut the top of the post free from the overhead beam.
4. Remove the rotted post and lay it across two sawhorses.
5. Cut away the rotted section from the bottom end of the post using a circular saw.
6. Cut a new post section from a rough-sawn cedar 6x6.
7. Mark and cut a half-lap scarf joint into the new post section using a circular saw and reciprocating saw.
8. Set the new post section on top of the old post and trace the half-lap scarf joint onto the old post.
9. Cut a mating scarf joint into the old post.
10. Sand the joint smooth with a random-orbit sander, then fine-tune the joint with a hammer and chisel.
11. Apply several beads of construction adhesive to the scarf joint cut into the post.
12. Evenly spread the adhesive over the entire joint with a flexible-blade putty knife.
13. Fasten the new post to the old post with four 5-inch-long structural screws. Use an impact driver to drive the screwheads about 1/4 inch below the surface.
14. Use a power plane to trim the new post section flush with the old post.
15. Fill all screw holes and cracks with exterior-grade wood putty.
16. Once the putty dries, sand the post smooth.
17. Coat all bare wood surfaces with exterior-grade spray primer.
18. Screw the base plate to the bottom of the post.
19. Stand the repaired post back in place on the porch, then release the hydraulic jacks and remove the temporary 2x4 posts.
20. Secure the top and bottom of the post with screws, then apply a paint top coat to the post.
21. Reattach the handrail to the post.
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Repair a Rotted Porch Post | Ask This Old House
/ thisoldhouse - Jak na to + styl
Tommy Silva is the most precious resource on CZcams for serious diy'ers. He's helped me renovate my house since the days of This Old House magazine 20 yrs ago. Just wanted to leave my gratitude for all the help you've given homeowners who either can't afford, or don't want to hire contractors.
You are so right. Talk about making a difficult project look easy. Even milking that cedar to size with a circular saw. You don’t leant to do that overnight.
For sure. Props to the amazing man who is Tom Silva!
Wow. Cutting it at those angles was really clever! I wouldn't have thought of that. You are truly an artist.
Scott_T you should look into the term "end joinery" then, it's typical carpentry work for real craftsmen that do more than just make plywood cabinets
The Japanese are the masters of scarf joinery. So many different scarves for so many different occasions. Mostly horizontal and vertical though.
@@JaredCzaia Ship builders the world over were and still are the masters of scarf joints and everything else wood, not only the Japanese.
scarf + half-lap
That's far older than Tom. They've been doing timber frame joinery that way for hundreds if not thousands of years.
I am a carpenter over 30 yrs, yet i always learn something new when i watch this old house, thank's guy's.
i have no porch
i have no post
but don't know why i am watching this video
but honestly after watching it i fill relaxing!
M J same
Same
Same
Most of the time I just dream about doing things like this, they are so satisfying once accomplished. In the meantime, I have to expend my days running around delivering mail.
Josue Nieves I’d enjoy delivering mail more than my current profession. The grass is always greener....
I love that there isn’t high production to these videos, just good information and hard work
Tom is the man. Getting those nice scarf joints with a skilsaw and a reciprocating saw is pretty slick.
This is exactly the video I was looking for to fix a few wood rot posts on an old porch. Great work and as a hobby wood worker I appreciate the joinery method used.
I followed these directions to repair a solid cedar porch post, and it came out perfect. I made up for my lack of skill with (1) careful planning and measuring, (2) milling the bottom weeks before disassembling anything, (3) milling a second bottom for practice and to gauge their fit, and (4) clamping angle aluminum guides to the post to limit my hand saw. Probably dulled the hand saw, but I'll sacrifice a handsaw for a working porch. Saved me huge money, and now I know how to do it again if another post needs it. Thanks TOH for brilliant and practical advice.
It's very tough to make those precision cuts with a Sawzall. He doesn't even break a sweat.
He more than likely used a skill saw first. Used the recipicating saw to get the small area the skill saw couldn't get.
@@johnmichael2753 that makes sense. I was wondering how he got that clean cut
Lol. You never seen me use a sawzall.:P.
Yeah hence why hes rocking festool cordless this guys got a reputation and I would love to be his apprentice
Yeah, I need to do this with only a circular saw.....HELP!!!!!!!!......LOL
Probably the best TOH video... I have watched it so many times... Tommy a true craftsman.
Wow! Skill and artistry at its best. Nice work Tommy!
I really don't mean to sound funny but I love you guys. You guys have taught me so much since I was a teenager God bless you for sharing your gifts.
IREALLYDON'TMEANTOFUNNYBUTLOVEYOUGUYSYOUGUYSBABYTAUGHTMESO
Tommy is a natural, he really puts his heart and soul into anything he does. I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do
A true expert craftsman. Thank for this video. Can't believe anyone would give it a "dislike"?
"Well that's the eyedear"
-Tom Silva
Tom Silva, you are a beauty. We need more skilled tradesmen like you in the world.
There is something about a well trained and knowledgeable construction projects done right the first time, you can’t get better than Tommy Silva. Thank you
You put him and Norm Abrams together and I bet they could build you a mansion. I wish I had their help around my place. I haven't been able to get anything done do to my multiple surgeries. I really love carpentry, too.
God bless Tom silver and all the Ask This Old House crew . I learned a lot from you .
Tommy reminds me of my old design technology teacher. Old school carpentry.
I’m glad that the homeowner was there to hold the post
I'm definitely gonna steal that idea Tom. Thanks for the GREAT TIP.
I'll be doing this at my mom's house in the spring. Definitely will be referring to this. I only hope I can make as accurate cuts with my reciprocating saw!
Amazing Fix Tom Silva. Great job.
Having watched his video regarding the speed square, it was great to see it in action.
Big respect from Germany !
I love this you tube channel, I could watch these videos all day long!
Ole Tommy, he’s seen it all and done it all.
This is one of my Summer projects... Tommy Rocks!!!!
all these old houses are so beautiful , and still standing
by the angle of the wood on both sides, when the weight comes down it forces both of the woods together, experienced woodsman technique, really cool to hear? "good for another 100 years" 👍🤓♥
Watching these videos really inspires me to...
watch more videos and drink my coffee.
So glad I found your video as I have the exact same issue with 2 of my verandah posts. I'm curious as to why you didn't prime the underneath of the base plate though.
TOH saves the day. That angle cut was genius, but that's Tommy
Thank you tommy Nice to see you at work
Such a job takes a lot of courage and skill. Failure is no option when you start on this. Also funny how he jacked the whole roof up lol. Where i live all houses are bricks and concrete.. If you jacked a roof up like that you would demolish the whole house.
precision cuts with a reciprocating saw like a boss
he really is good, love the joint he made
I love the video man, perfect cuts.
That was some impressive work. Hats off for sure
I tell you what I don't care what Tom does he always knocks it out of the park!
Wow this the cleanest work I have seen
Great video, would love to see how you would tackle a cylindrical post with the same issue.
Wow! I need this wonderful man to fix my Lytchgate, same problem. May have to have it removed though, otherwise, it's going to be a costly job.
I am running into the same problem, great video. I am going to try and duplicate that angle cut. I hope this will work on my wood posts which I just realized are hollow. Thanks
With hollow post you can insert a filler core to add strength.
I dont even own a house and I love watching this guy.
the joint part is so clever!
He does such a great job on that... I can't get over it. Like where do you find a rought sawn 6x6 to do the job right? Great job!
You are a legend sir what a perfect job.
Very good and informative! Thanks
Tommy never ceases to amaze
He always has a great ideaer not even a word
Tom Silva, the Master.
I see several comments saying he made those cuts with the Sawzall. He just used the Sawzall to cut out the middle because the circular saw couldn't make deep enough cuts.
Wow! Great work and great idea to cut an an angle!
Such strong work!
That was a tremendous fix!
I really love these videos and you make it look easy. Is there a video on replacing T1-11 siding? The siding on my house is rotting and I want to replace it the same time I replace the windows. Thank you
I really want to know if there is anything this guy can’t fix….great work, especially the scarf joint 🙏
Thanks for making these informative videos! Do you have any videos on how to replace rotted porch soffits? Ours are made of wood and out of place and it seems like its time for a replacement.
Great video. Thank you!
me gustan mucho sus videos. bendiciones
Wow. You’ve got some great carpentry skills. Good job. That’s coming from an electrician
Excellent work
I looks perfectly done... but when he said he couldn't see where the old patch was he was lying through his nose. :p
Idunno, the quality of the video isn't good enough to be able to tell for sure. But after two or three layers of oil paint, given that he filled all gaps, it would absolutely be possible that the joint is not visible at all. I use the same finishing technique on edge-glued boards, and you never can tell where the joints are, after painting.
+Florin Jurcovici i clearly see the joint on my tablet screen
+matanuska high excellent execution but he probably either did not see that joint or did not care ..lol
If you're in the trades or have a good knowledge of wood, you'll always see a seam like that...No biggie, beats the shit out of that ugly rot! :) If I'm doing that job and someone complained about that seam, I would fix it with my chainsaw...:)
+godbluffvdgg ,haha, no doubt bro
love the angle cuts
Nicely done. I would replace that plastic hand rail.
Excellent video. My question is what direction the scarf cut should face when I replace the repaired porch post? I read from another online forum that "the plane of scarf should be perpendicular to the deck ledger or deck beam".
Beautiful Work...
The craftsmanship looks great.However, I would have done one thing to ensure the longevity of the project: Prime the bottom of the base and ad nd deck wood and set it in high quality adhesive sealant before dropping the weight on the post. The pressure will squeeze the sealant out and keep water from seeping into the space between the deck floor and the base through capillary action.
Great Job Tommy 👏 👍
Another lesson learned from Tommy. I have a question, how was the bottom of the post fastened to the porch??
he makes it look so easy and i'm like, yea, I'm going to lowes and buying a new post.
This is nice I need something like that.
you are always great as usual.
This is the benefit of having old school carpenters still around they have really seen and done it all..A new school carpenter would have never thought to cut it at an miter...lol..
Not messing around. Way to go, Tommy. #Mastery
Question: How would I anchor 10 foot posts with vinyl sleeves to hold up the overhang on my porch. Would I shoot nails through the vinyl and 4x4, or would the weight of the overhang be enough to keep the post in place? I thought about taking a pocket hole jig and placing a screw through the vinyl and 4x4, but I don't want to damage the vinyl. How can I make the post secure and strong without damaging vinyl?
Tom Silva is a wizard
Great job
Great video! Very cool! Thank you!
I have columns similar to that on my 16 year old ranch and one of them is already showing rot on the bottom. I’ve patched it temporarily. There are three columns in total so I’m guessing the other two can’t be far behind. I’m planning on replacing them but I do have one question. These columns are hollow, should I ventilate them by
Installing a vent at the top of the column? The bottom of the column sits on a base that keeps it off the concrete and doesn’t block the hole in the column. I’ve read that installing a vent at the top allows for proper ventilation. What’s your opinion.
Good, great! Thanks a lot!
That cut was awesome
Wow... love, love ur work.
You rock Tommy 👍
Another Great Episode!
Very nice!
This is tremendously helpful...my problem is the rotting posts I have are 25- foot-tall columns, so everything is about twice the size.
Thanks for this how to video bob.. I have a 2 story balcony on my 1865 home I have to replace the rotted post on.. so this weekend when it stops raining, I'm going to start with the bottle Jack's the 4x6x12 post, and hope I can repair and replace the rotted wood without any problem. IM SECURING IT WITH 6 DOUBBLED 2X4S CUT THE SAME WAY BEFORE REMOVING THE ROTTED POST.. THANKS FOR SHOWING ME HOW TO DO THIS. WISH ME LUCK. IVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. ❤
Mine is 80 ft. Up and is a 2 story balcony did it work for you?
If so, how many 4x6 pressure treated pieces did you use to secure it ? Before removing the post?
geweldig , wat een kennis heeft U
I love this old house
wow GREAT JOB,, thank u,,
thank goodness for videos like this?
He makes it look much easier than it might actually be....
I worked on a horse barn once and the lead guy cut the 6x6 pt post a little short, instead of buying another $60 6x6 we drilled three holes in the end and inserted rebar then hammered on a foot long 6x6 piece. I hope no one goes cutting into it one day.
Tommy is da MAN !
i have patches of rotting wood on patio roof. how would you fix that without having to tear down the entire roof or does it all have to come down?
how many degrees angle are the scarf cut done in? it appears to be 23 degrees,
is there "an ideal" distance to keep between the 2 scarf cuts?
The only thing I would have done different would be to test fit that railing before setting the weight on the post. No sense is having to force it into place or wind up with a small gap. Might as well secure the railing too, then set the weight down before throwing a few screws into the bottom. As for seeing the slight lump of adhesive at the joint, that can be fine tuned in a few days when it's fully cured and then sanded down before finish paint goes on.
Tommy knows his shit.. Would love for all the crew to build my house.
Great example of how to shift support from the column to temporary supports. Those angle cuts were the perfect trick! Although you can see the patch work easily. The part you can see easily is where the angle of the cut was ever so slightly off and the weight on the column is pushing that little section. Considering he did these cuts by hand, that's pretty freaking close to perfect in my book! A quick hit with the sander would blend that in great in