Repairing Guides

how to repair a deck post

by Marielle Gorczany Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If you still want to repair your deck post, then here’s one way it can be done:

  1. Support the deck with a t-support or two 2x6s nailed together. Use a hydraulic jack. If you don’t own one, just know that most newer trucks will have one instead of the old scissor jack types. ...
  2. You’ll need to detach the old post. Ideally, you can cut the post off at the base, making a clean cut with a reciprocating saw or multi tool. ...

Part of a video titled How to Replace a Deck Post | This Old House - YouTube
0:02
4:17
Alright that's it weights off and now we can remove our old posts first thing I want to do is removeMoreAlright that's it weights off and now we can remove our old posts first thing I want to do is remove this diagonal. Now we have to pull the nails. And these brackets right here so we can free up post.

Full Answer

How to fix deck posts?

Here’s how:

  • First, tighten any loose bolts and screws. ...
  • Cut pressure-treated 2-by blocking (the same width as the floor joists) to fit tightly between the rim joist and the next joist.
  • Place the blocking directly behind the post and toe-screw it into both the rim joist and the neighboring joist.
  • Fasten additional blocking every 4-ft. ...

How to repair or replace rotted deck post?

  • Place the old post on a workspace and remove the rotted part. ...
  • Regardless of which part of the old post you are repairing, you’ll need to laminate the new part with the old post. ...
  • Use marine epoxy to fit the old and new pieces together. ...

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How do you repair a rotting deck post?

How do you repair a rotting deck post?

  • Draw a line around the column about 2 inches above the rotted area and install a temporary brace under the deck, porch, or roof.
  • Using a chisel and hammer or a Saws-All, chip out the damaged wood below that mark.
  • Use a brush or spray bottle to coat preservative on the exposed bare wood.

How to fasten deck posts to footings?

Working with Pressure-Treated Lumber

  • Use fasteners and hardware labeled for treated lumber — stainless-steel or hot-dipped, galvanized screws.
  • If the lumber is wet — it typically is when delivered from the store — butt it together tightly when building. ...
  • Drill pilot holes in the ends of boards to prevent splitting when you nail or screw them together.

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How do you repair a rotten deck post?

The best way to repair rotted deck post is to replace it. If the post has been sunk into the ground and backfilled, you'll need to excavate the entire post, remove it, and install concrete in a sonotube to above grade. You can then mount a new deck post and post bracket on top of the new concrete support.

How do you reinforce old deck posts?

Reinforce post connections Strengthen post connections with carriage bolts. Drill holes, knock the bolts through, then tighten a washer and nut on the other side. Ideally, posts should sit directly under the beam or rim joist to support the deck.

How do you jack up a deck to replace post?

0:313:43How To Raise an Uneven or Sloping Deck - Home Repairs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGeneral design that is the most common for decks using beams and posts. Simply jack it up until it'sMoreGeneral design that is the most common for decks using beams and posts. Simply jack it up until it's level. And exactly where you want it. And again you can see the distance between the post.

How do you repair rotted deck posts in concrete?

0:2715:42Fixing Rotted Deck Posts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUp some supports under it so I can cut off the bottom of these posts have rebar I'm going to drillMoreUp some supports under it so I can cut off the bottom of these posts have rebar I'm going to drill into the existing concrete put the rebar there have anchors for the bottom of these posts.

How do you reinforce a rotting post?

3:437:27How to Repair a Rotted Porch Post | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTogether. And i also like the fact that i have a lot more surface right here to glue and screw theMoreTogether. And i also like the fact that i have a lot more surface right here to glue and screw the two pieces together that makes a lot of sense all right so now all i have to do is trace our patch.

How long do deck posts last?

Estimated to be 25 to 30 years.

How much does it cost to replace deck posts?

Replacing deck posts costs $200 to $400 per post. The exact price depends on the post material, installation method, and number of replacements. For example, a simple pressure-treated wooden post does not cost as much to replace as a more elaborate and thicker cedar post.

What kind of jack do you use to lift a deck?

Place the jacks using the same spacing as any posts or supports. You can use any hand-crank jack for decks close to the ground, such as those included in vehicles for changing tires, says Her Tool Belt, or joist jacks for higher decks.

How do you fix rotted wood on porch columns?

0:247:32DIY Porch Post Repair Fix Your Rotted Wood Post - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd needs to be replaced or repaired I had already removed the base molding then decided to makeMoreAnd needs to be replaced or repaired I had already removed the base molding then decided to make this video the damage goes above where the base molding should be and to cover that area I would need a

How do you replace a 4x4 post on a deck?

0:024:17How to Replace a Deck Post | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe have a hole on the bottom of the old post this pin that sticks out of the concrete pier was meantMoreWe have a hole on the bottom of the old post this pin that sticks out of the concrete pier was meant to keep the post on the pier.

How do you repair concrete deck footings?

2:446:06How to Replace a Deck Pier - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe'll pour our concrete into there it'll bond with those rebar. And we're going to pull this up asMoreWe'll pour our concrete into there it'll bond with those rebar. And we're going to pull this up as the concrete's wet and just trowel it off. We're also going to install this post base.

How do you add support to an existing deck?

2:2616:52How to Add a Sister Beam for additional support. Pre-existing ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then lets you know if it's leveled or not so i'm actually gonna place it right beneath thisMoreAnd then lets you know if it's leveled or not so i'm actually gonna place it right beneath this joist. Here. You let it sit. So if you look underneath. It's fairly leveled fairly but not the best.

How do you reinforce deck footings?

3:245:52How To Raise Sinking Deck Footings - Home Building Repair TipsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can put some fill underneath it to put some blocks underneath the beam. And of course raise itMoreYou can put some fill underneath it to put some blocks underneath the beam. And of course raise it again and again I'd recommend doing this in increments you can always put more fill in here.

How do you reinforce deck beams?

1:062:45Build a Stronger Deck: Joist Connections - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSupport while the beam itself provides bearing. Support when the joist connects to the rim board aMoreSupport while the beam itself provides bearing. Support when the joist connects to the rim board a framing screw or metal connectors should be used. Both options accommodate all three load types.

What to use to keep 4x4 posts from moving?

Use a lateral brace to keep the 4x4 posts from moving.

How do I clean a footer on a boat?

I spent a good amount of time cleaning the footer. Using a small shop vac and scraping tool, I removed all the dirt I could on top of and in the hole in the footer. Then I used a garden hose with the nozzle set to fine spray to get the rest of the dirt off. The shop vac was used to clean the remaining muddy water from the footer.

Why not pour new concrete on top of old concrete?

On a very windy day, under the right conditions, the wind can blow under the deck or roof structure and lift the deck up if it is not anchored properly. If rebar is not used to anchor the old footer to the new concrete, the deck could lift up and crash down.

How to hold old concrete footer to new concrete?

To hold the old concrete footer to the new concrete that would be poured, I had to put a rebar structure in place. The structure consisted of 4 vertical rebar rods placed into 3" deep holes drilled into the existing footer. The rebar rods would extend up to 2" from the top of the new concrete footer. A rebar square would be wired near the top of the rebar rods.

How to hold rebar in footer?

To hold the rebar in the old footer, I used a concrete anchoring adhesive called Sika Super Strength Anchoring Adhesive from Lowes. It was actually an expensive epoxy that came in a tube that fit in my standard calking gun and every home improvement store carries an equivalent brand. For best results, I squeezed the adhesive into ONE 3" hole to about 3/4 full. Then I pressed the rebar rod into the hole, twisting back and forth slightly as it went down. As it did go down, the level of the adhesive went up to leave a nice ring around the top of the hole. Then I moved on to the next hole. The epoxy adhesive hardens FAST. It is very important to work on ONE hole at a time.

What screws are used to mount a J bolt post base?

Now I could put the post base assembly on the post base. It was mounted in place by 2 1/2" #9 (10d) Simpson Strong Tie galvanized structural screws.

What holds a J bolt in place?

The J portion is pushed into the wet concrete. When dried, the concrete holds the bolt firmly in place, especially around the J. In the event of an updraft, the post bracket would try to pull the J bolt out of the concrete, but it would stay in place.

Why do deck posts feel wobbly?

Deck posts and railings screwed to a single rim joist feel wobbly because the rim joist flexes whenever you lean against the railing. For an easy wood deck repair, add blocking. Adding blocking will stiffens the rim joist and makes the railing feel much more solid. Here’s how:

What is composite decking?

Just a few years ago, most manufactured decking was “composite,” which typically meant it was a combination of wood fibers and polymers. Composite was a big improvement over wood, but today most manufacturers offer something even better: “capped” or “shelled” decking.

What is capped decking?

The core of capped decking is similar to composite or made from cellular PVC, but that core is covered with a layer of denser, tougher polymer. That means better resistance to scratches, stains and fading. Brands that carry capped decking include Fiberon , Azek.com, TimberTech.com and Trex.com. Paying more usually gets you a thicker or tougher cap, plus deeper texturing and blended coloring for a more natural look. The decking shown, Trex Transcend, is made from 95 percent recycled material and includes a 25-year fade and stain warranty.

What is pressure treated 2 by blocking?

Cut pressure-treated 2-by blocking (the same width as the floor joists) to fit tightly between the rim joist and the next joist.

How long do decks last?

While well-built decks will last for decades it’s a good idea to perform an annual inspection on the whole structure to ensure everything is safe and in top shape for your family and guests. Problems to look for are rotted or wobbly posts, weak post connections, properly-fastened ledger boards, and missing flasher ledging. Most wood deck repair tasks are inexpensive and you should be able to complete them yourself. Here is a full deck inspection checkli st as well as detailed wood deck repair steps.

What to cover the top of a flashing?

Cover the top of the flashing with window/door flashing tape.

How long does it take to make a railing planter?

In a little under an hour, you can make this simple railing-mounted planter. All you need is some standard gutter parts.

What happens if you don't have a support post on a deck?

If you have an elevated deck post, make sure they’re supported by vertical posts. If they don’t have any support on them then they could easily form cracks or splits. Also, water in the base of the post can cause serious damage to the wood fibers. This will cause the wood fibers to become soft.

Why do deck posts crack?

Well, cracks occur on deck posts as the wood shrinks. Here, dried out woods mainly contribute to wood shrinking. As a result, cracks take place on deck posts.

How to repair a cracked wood floor?

Step 1: Apply Fillers in Woods. To start proceedings, take your putty knife to level the damaged area. However, you can also use a spatula as an alternative to a putty knife. After this, take the knife to apply the filler into the cracked area.

How to cut cracks in wood?

Make sure to take the measurement a bit longer than the cracked areas. After you’re done, take a band saw and start cutting the slices of wood from the measurement. Here, wear gloves and cut by imitating the shape of cracks.

How to fill cracks in a drywall wall?

However, you can also use a spatula as an alternative to a putty knife. After this, take the knife to apply the filler into the cracked area.

Why does wood crack?

Well, cracks mainly occur due to the woods shrinking. Many think that it’s the excess overload that causes woods to crack but actually that’s not the issue. Normally, drying out of the woods causes wood to shrink.

How long does it take for glue to dry on a cracked floor?

Remember to keep the glue and water as it is and let it dry for 24 hours. Lastly, scrape any residue from the cracked area.

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