Recomendations On Columns, This One Isn't Easy.

Mike(VA)

If the water intrusion issue is still present, any type of epoxy will last only as long as the wood it bonds to. A crappy epoxy job is due to crappy application, not a bad product.

__________________
__________________________________________________ ___________
I EXPECT THAT SOMEDAY I WILL SEE THE FRUITS OF MY LABOR. IS IT SOMEDAY YET?
Clifton, Great Falls, McLean, Fairfax Station, Manassas, Virginia Renovation Contractor

genecarp

Zactly, These details have a flat horizontal surface, notice the flat ring in the photo, unless someone is going to dry that area off after every rain, the problem will always persist. REMEMBER, unless a detail sheds water , it will rot, unless it is made of composite.

__________________

wizendwizard

The problem originated from the boxwood bushes that are planted in front of the column bases. They were allowed to grow above the porch flooring and were touching the base of the columns. When it rained they held water on the columns causing the rot. These have now been cut away and the HO intends to keep them cut back.

__________________
"If you start the grout process over, you too could use sparkly grout!"
There is no such thing as an illegal immigrant, they are either illegal or immigrants.
I'm Retired, or a student, don't really know anymore.

genecarp

The boxwoods where definately a contributing factor, they would have prevented the bases from drying out, as i said, any flat(horizontal surface) is prone to decay. A good example is a window sill, pitch is critical to the design..That flat surface on the ring will hold water, gently spray it with a hose, you will see the water will most likely sit there. I have rebuilt many of these, it is an example of allowing form to follow function. G

__________________

wizendwizard

Right you are Gene. Thanks

Now what method would be suggested for supporting the roof and deck that are attached. Should I support with 8 doubled 2x8's or work on 1 section at a time?

__________________
"If you start the grout process over, you too could use sparkly grout!"
There is no such thing as an illegal immigrant, they are either illegal or immigrants.
I'm Retired, or a student, don't really know anymore.

genecarp

Its not a heavy load, the headers are usually recieved by notches in the fluted column. do 1 or 2 sections at a time, double 2x4 alongside the column you are working on should be fine. G

__________________

wizendwizard

Sorry JW, I missed this question.

Bases are concrete, the smaller "rounded" base is concrete also.

__________________
"If you start the grout process over, you too could use sparkly grout!"
There is no such thing as an illegal immigrant, they are either illegal or immigrants.
I'm Retired, or a student, don't really know anymore.

ChrWright

I did a column replacement about 3 years ago. We supported the roof with LVL beams run diagonal under the corners just inside the columns and supported by 4x4 posts.

__________________

Christopher Wright, CR: President @ WrightWorks, LLC/President @ Central Indiana NARI, Named to the 2010 REMODELING Big50
www.WrightWorks.net - Facebook - Twitter - Carmel Remodeling
Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling Contractor - You Can Get There From Here

Dave R

checkk out Abatron expoxy systems--www.abatron.com

Jason Whipple

.............................

__________________
Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
Facebook | Twitter

Deadhead Derek

looks great.

__________________
www.darkstarltd.net
Hand-crafted Traditional Masonic Furniture
and Coffins

RenaissanceR

[deleted]

__________________

Jason Whipple

............................................

__________________
Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
Facebook | Twitter

neolitic

I'm amused by all of the suggestions
for improvements to the original design.
After all, they only lasted 180 years.
That pretty much exceeds my warranty.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

genecarp

Neo, while i understand what you are suggesting, i think the quality of the wood that was being used 100 years ago is different than todays. Todays material would never perform in the same way, so we have to improve in our techniques to even stand a chance at duplicating the longevity. G

__________________

Jason Whipple

.................................

__________________
Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
Facebook | Twitter

jaros bros.

I don't see why you can't cut the bottoms off, after you have supported the above weight, and then trace a pattern and fabricate something in the shop. Then, dry fit it and mark out for some dowels or mating blocks. You could add some weep holes if you desired.
I thought the idea of cutting them off and adding higher bases would look tacky. Get some decent material and fabricate your own new pieces. Seems like a router and a jig would work great.

__________________
Josh Jaros www.jarosbros.com Remodeling in The Woodlands, Texas

neolitic

Are you talking to Wizend?

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

Jason Whipple

...........................................

__________________
Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
Facebook | Twitter

LennCAD

At $40,000 per column, replacement isn't an option. We are looking at repair only.

The weight is all on the back side which is undamaged. The prior repair was done with bondo. Asthetics are also not an issue. We just need a way to repair the rotted wood on the fronts of 3 columns.[/quote]


WOW! 40k a column. If this was pre-cast(GFRC) I would get it at $3500-$4000 a full column, buliding a mold would be $15k-$20k with the existing parts provided. You could probably cut that mold charge in half if not more but thats if they don't mind having grout joints. So $29k-$36k for the project. Its still much but I just think $40k a column is a rip.