Repair A Rotted Porch Column
Structural repairs:
When a column supports a roof or structure it is considered structural. Prior to replacement or major repair you should take steps to temporary provide structural support to the area around the post needing repairs or replacement.
Note – some minor repairs for porch column rot can be done in place. We believe when the rot is extensive enough, the best way to perform these repairs is on a workbench.
Jacking and Temporary Supports:
I often use 2×6 lumber as temporary porch post supports. I make “T-shaped” jacking or shoring post. The “T” shape keeps the two boards rigid, preventing each board from bending on their flats. I install 3-inch nails every 12-inches to secure the two boards together.
I use a small 10-ton hydraulic jack to raise the structure approximately 1/8 of an inch. This assists in getting a reciprocating blade in to cut the fasteners away and remove the post. It also assists later when inserting the replacement or repaired post.
Once the structure is jacked up I install a second temporary support post to take the stress off the jack, and to provide additional support at the new height. This second support post can be T-shaped or simply two 2×6’s doubled together and fastened every 16″ with two 3-inch 12d nails.
