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house_first_timer

Should I Replace My Front Porch Post?

house_first_timer
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Hello, I recently removed the bricks around my front porch post as they cracked and found the wood post in the attached pics. The bricks and mortar just surrounded the post instead of glued against the post.

My house was build in 1950's and I'm assuming the wood post was as old as the house. The question I have is should I replce the wood post or just paint it over. It's the only post in my front porch and it's the load bearing one. There are some cracks but I can't tell if these are the checks.

Thanks for your help.


Comments (8)

  • summersrhythm_z6a
    6 years ago

    Not a pro, but I'd paint it over. Just because it's holding the load, and it's too much work to replace it. Those little cracks are no big deal, you can seal the cracks, Home Depot sells wood sealer. If you paint it every the other year, it will last for a long time.

    house_first_timer thanked summersrhythm_z6a
  • house_first_timer
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    Thanks both for your feedback.

  • PRO
    The HandiWorks Company
    6 years ago

    Summers is correct. The only reason to replace it at this point would be if (in the first picture) the wood had termite damage and was soft and spongy like a cork in the areas where paint is missing. A coat or 2 of paint bi-annually would do the trick - and if the splits are unsightly they can be filled and sealed pretty quickly with an epoxy or wood filler.

    house_first_timer thanked The HandiWorks Company
  • PRO
    GN Builders L.L.C
    6 years ago

    If this is not a pressure treated post, it shouldn't be in contact with concrete. You can paint and seal it or wrap with something it will not help, any trapped moisture under the paint will deteriorate the post, and by the time paint will start to bubble it will be too late.

    If this is a structural post supporting the roof above the last thing you want is take a chance.

    That being said, it is very inexpensive to replace this post and most likely by the time you buy the filler and primer, and paint to restore this 4x4...and the amount of money you and time you will spend finishing this post, it will cost less to get a new maintenance free post which you don't have to touch for many years to come. Just saying :-)

    house_first_timer thanked GN Builders L.L.C
  • PRO
    The HandiWorks Company
    6 years ago

    GN is correct in this regard. While it's not an emergency, if the base of that post (where it meets the concrete) is not sealed up properly than moisture will eat away at the base via continuous rainwater or snowmelt. Good eye GN.

  • house_first_timer
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    Thanks guys for your great feedback. The bottom of the post is still descent shape as I'm in CA, not much rain and no snow. But it's very hot during summer.

    One concern I have with replacing the post is that I have jack up the porch a bit to put in the new post with bracket. I'm afraid the stuccoed eaves will crack. I always find it very challenging to patch the stucco with the same color.

  • PRO
    SolusLumber.com
    6 years ago

    As usual, we concur completely with GN Builders. If you can have a local engineer look at it firsthand maybe they'll tell you it's fine? In the photo the wood doesn't look like it's rotted...., but more importantly that's a crack not a check! Based solely on the photograph and the fact that it is the only load bearing post.... prudence dictates to just replace it. A 4x4x10' #2 ground contact piece of PT will run you about $13.00 https://www.homedepot.com/p/4-in-x-4-in-x-10-ft-2-Ground-Contact-Pressure-Treated-Timber-288741/301913694

    If you want to spend a little more money and upgrade to something that will probably outlast the concrete it is sitting in then............. https://www.soluslumber.com/product/ipe-4x4/

    house_first_timer thanked SolusLumber.com
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