Knowledge Builders

how do you repair a rotted deck post

by Geovany Vandervort PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How Do You Replace a Rotted Deck Post

  1. First, you need to support the deck near the post so you can easily remove the existing, rotten post. Put a patio block or paver right next to the old post. ...
  2. Only lift enough so that the weight is slightly off the old post. ...
  3. Next, you’ll need to excavate the hole the old post was in, which can be difficult. ...

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.

Full Answer

How do you replace a rotten post on a deck?

How Do You Replace a Rotted Deck Post 1 First, you need to support the deck near the post so you can easily remove the existing, rotten post. ... 2 Only lift enough so that the weight is slightly off the old post. ... 3 Next, you’ll need to excavate the hole the old post was in, which can be difficult. ... More items...

How to repair rot in a deck or balcony?

How to Repair Rot in a Deck or Balcony 1 Identifying Wood Rot in a Deck. Not all weakened wood in a deck is rotten. ... 2 Remove Rotten Wood Deck Boards. Spread out the tarp on the ground near the deck. ... 3 Cut Off Rotten Deck Posts. ... 4 Demolish Rotten Wood Deck Railing and Guards. ... 5 Dispose the Rotten Wood. ...

How to fix a 6x6 deck post?

I got two estimates to fix it 1) Jack deck up and replace 6x6's and put rubber sleeve on them. 2) Summary: Concrete three 6x6 support posts under deck, Concrete above ground and a 10 " diameter around existing 6x6 posts.

Can wood deck posts rot on concrete?

Even a wood deck post on a concrete footing can rot if it is close enough to the ground. And it may spread to parts of the post you cannot see, which means you are unaware of the full extent to which the post is damaged.

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How do you fix rotting wood post without replacing it?

3:437:27How to Repair a Rotted Porch Post | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd i also like the fact that i have a lot more surface right here to glue and screw the two piecesMoreAnd 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 do you replace an in ground deck post?

3:069:19Replacing a Rotted Deck Post - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll four guys lifted it up and just rotated it back onto the patio. We also dug down low around theMoreAll four guys lifted it up and just rotated it back onto the patio. We also dug down low around the post to where we could get as low as possible to cut them off and put in some pavers.

How do you replace a rotted support post?

0:325:57Replacing a Rotten Patio or Porch Post - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow first of all I've got to get the weight off my beam up there so I'm just gonna use the 2x4 I'mMoreNow first of all I've got to get the weight off my beam up there so I'm just gonna use the 2x4 I'm gonna screw it to the side put a block underneath it.

How do you replace a load bearing deck post?

0:285:44How to replace a load bearing post - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs a first effort. To allow us to take it out and we need to support that while we're repo'ingMoreAs a first effort. To allow us to take it out and we need to support that while we're repo'ing concrete. This post is supporting the upper floor deck but it's not supporting a whole lot of weight.

How long do deck posts last?

Estimated to be 25 to 30 years.

How do you save rotting decking?

When it is caught early, it may be possible to repair the damage without having to replace your whole deck. Remove any rotted boards and replace them with new, pressure-treated ones. Apply a water-resistant coating over the entire deck, including the support pieces. Even out any spots that create water pooling.

How much does it cost to replace a porch post?

You can expect to pay between $400 – $600 per post when hiring a professional to replace an ornamental porch column. But your total costs can vary tremendously depending on the material and other factors.

How do you repair a wooden porch post?

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 porch post?

0:0212:55Replace Porch Columns (Porch Posts / Porch Columns / Use ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it lets you go from the floor of your porch up to the beam. That is resting on the column. AndMoreSo it lets you go from the floor of your porch up to the beam. That is resting on the column. And produce a little upward pressure to get that load off of the column.

How can you tell if a post is structural?

Check Out the Building Plans If a wall or column is structural, it will usually be marked with an "S". It is important to note that a decorative post or column may not be included in plans as it doesn't carry any weight and may have been added as an afterthought.

How do you remove deck posts?

5:487:41The Fastest and Easiest Way to Remove a Fence Post ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a digging bar if you have hard-packed or rocky. Soil. Then wrap the chain around the concrete.MoreUse a digging bar if you have hard-packed or rocky. Soil. Then wrap the chain around the concrete. And use the slip hook to latch the chain to itself pull the chain tight.

How do you remove old deck footings?

Ensure that the structure is supported, remove the footing post if applicable. Using a spade shovel manually excavate around the footing at least 3/4 the way around and at least 2/3rds of the length of the footing. Dig until you see the footing wiggle a bit. The more you dig the easier the footing will come out.

How do you replace deck footings?

2:546:06How 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.

Should I replace deck posts?

You should only even consider repairing a wood deck post if you, for certain, know where the rot or damage is on the post. If you aren't sure, then you must replace the post. Rot is insidious. Wood rot is water infiltration.

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.

What to use to keep 4x4 posts from moving?

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

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.

How many bottle jacks to lift 4x4 posts?

I used two bottle jacks to lift 4x4 posts against the beam to hold it in place. Experience taught me to:

How to tell if a deck is dry rot?

How to Identify Dry Rot on a Deck. Some older decks will begin to show signs of dry rot. The symptoms include spongy and discolored wood that may flake off and fall apart when wet. You can use a screwdriver to test the wood for soft spots. You can also tell if deck wood is rotten by checking for these dry rot signs:

Why is composite decking not rot?

Simply because composite decking does not rot. Composite decking is made from moisture- and insect-resistant materials that are stronger and more durable than wood, and require minimal upkeep. For example, a deck constructed with composite material never needs to be painted or stained.

What is Dry Rot?

You can use a screwdriver to test the wood for soft spots. In certain conditions, even pressure-treated wood can rot and decay. Moisture and pooling water on decks can lead to rot and decay. Because dry rot is a fungus, it can spread like a cancer throughout a deck. Dry rot is caused by microorganisms that eat the cellulose from the wood leaving it brittle. Dry rot will also attract wood-eating insects such as termites, which will compound the problem.

What causes dry rot in a house?

Inspect the surrounding area of dry rot for a source or cause – plumbing leaks, gutter failure, sprinkler system issue, and any and all other water pooling possibilities.

How to tell if wood is rotting or decaying?

You can use a screwdriver to test the wood for soft spots. In certain conditions, even pressure-treated wood can rot and decay. Moisture and pooling water on decks can lead to rot and decay.

What wood is rot resistant?

Rot-Resistant Woods And Composite Decking. Another way to prevent your deck from rotting is to build it with redwood, mahogany, cypress or cedar, each of which are among the most rot-resistant species of natural wood. Nonetheless, a wood deck, by its very nature, will always be susceptible to moisture and rot.

Why do you need to clean your deck?

An annual cleaning will keep your deck looking aesthetically appealing on the surface, but more importantly, cleaning can help forestall repairs, such as rotten decking, by ridding early signs of dirt, mildew and bacteria buildup.

How to repair or replace rotting deck posts?

A lot of people say that the posts can not contact the concrete, unfortunately it appears to be the case for my deck. We just purchased the house a few weeks ago and found the bottom of the post a bit rot. As you can see in the pictures the bottom part of the posts are buried in concrete.

Comments (7)

Can you show some pictures of the entire deck and railing construction so we can see what it's holding up and how strong it needs to be and how hard it might be to replace.

Why are deck posts so hard to remove?

charlie nucci/Getty Images. Rotten wood deck posts are more difficult to remove than deck boards because they are significantly larger and typically are anchored to the ground in concrete. Cut the deck posts off in several sections to make them easier to handle.

Why are deck railings and guards dangerous?

Rotten wood deck railings and guards are especially dangerous because people using the deck depend on them for safety. Since most people using a deck assume that railings and guards are secure, they may lean against them with their full weight.

How to remove nails from a tarp?

Toss the boards onto the tarp. Pry off as many of the intact sections as possible. After intact sections are removed, turn the boards over and pound out the nails from the back. Turn the boards over again to the front side, pull out the nails with the claw, and discard the nails.

What happens when you push a screwdriver into wood?

Paint may be bubbly. When you push a screwdriver into the wood, it will push in easily and the wood will crumble. Fungus often accompanies both types of rot. The rotten interior will be highly porous and will fall apart by touch, often crumbling with a texture similar to dry bread or delaminating in strips or flakes.

Can you burn old deck boards?

Do not burn old deck boards. Pressure-treated wood is unsafe to burn. In addition, many municipalities have strict no-burn laws.

Can a wood deck last forever?

But wood decks are not expected to last forever. Lashed by rain and wind and further weakened by sun exposure, wood decks can collapse due to rot and other structural imperfections, injuring close to 34,000 people annually.

Can deck wood be recycled?

Since deck wood is usually pressure-treated with chemicals, it cannot be recycled. Call a hauling company to have the deck materials taken to the nearest landfill. If you have a truck, you can dispose of the materials by yourself, usually during certain time periods.

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1.Videos of How Do You Repair a Rotted Deck Post

Url:/videos/search?q=how+do+you+repair+a+rotted+deck+post&qpvt=how+do+you+repair+a+rotted+deck+post&FORM=VDRE

5 hours ago  · Fixing deck posts that started to rot from being buried in the dirt.Music: Skydive by Loxbeats https://soundcloud.com/loxbeats Creative Commons — Attributio...

2.How to Repair or Replace Rotted Deck Post - Plasticine …

Url:https://plasticinehouse.com/how-to-repair-rotted-deck-post/

23 hours ago 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 …

3.Repairing the Base of a Rotted Deck Post - HubPages

Url:https://discover.hubpages.com/living/Repairing-the-base-of-a-rotted-deck-post

29 hours ago If your deck has been weakened by rot, there are a number of steps you can take to repair rotted wood. You’ll first need to cut away the infected wood. It’s important that you thoroughly clean the area where rotting has occurred before treating – this …

4.How to repair rotted posts - YouTube

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2ezDTufRk4

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5.Fixing Rotted Deck Posts - YouTube

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rO3bWaQLCo

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6.Rotten Decking: How to Prevent & Fix Dry Rot | Decks.com

Url:https://www.decks.com/how-to/articles/what-is-dry-rot-and-how-can-you-prevent-your-deck-from-rotting

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7.How to repair or replace rotting deck posts? - Houzz

Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4669962/how-to-repair-or-replace-rotting-deck-posts

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8.How to Repair Rot in a Deck or Balcony - The Spruce

Url:https://www.thespruce.com/wood-rot-in-a-deck-4179051

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