How to Replace a Porch Column | Ask This Old House

[@michaelcarroll991]

Man I wish I could sit down with Tom Silva and just pick his mind. Guy is an Encyclopedia of woodworking.

[@ryk3899]

Same. However i can't forgive him for securing loose floorb by driving screws through the carpet

[@mistereric416]

@@ryk3899 Link?

[@ryk3899]

@Eric K find it yourself

[@davidquinn6161]

@@ryk3899 I've had good results doing that using O'Beery's Squeak No More products. Worked well thru carpet and bare floor.

[@doug876]

@@ryk3899 Did he use the screws that are designed to do exactly what you described? Because if so, then he did it exactly correct...

[@amoni1959]

The guy raking leaves in the background was the real star.

[@Engineer9736]

Did you just assume its gender

[@JordanG123]

@@Engineer9736 one joke

[@Engineer9736]

@@JordanG123 😜

[@bearg4019]

I've been a fan for 38 years..I never get tired watching ..

[@WannaBeHocker]

A true professional vacuum cleaner operator here! 5:15 ......🤣🤣🤣

[@sparky88xx]

Yes, he sucks at sucking. Also, why vacuum outdoors?

[@tylerdurden7387]

Love watching Tommy. Such an unbelievable craftsman

[@fredlebhart1393]

Tom making the dude do vacuum cleaner duty when he CLEARLY had a dust port is a boss move lol

[@malikdigger4544]

That's why TOH has been favorite home improvement tv show since great projects like this porch column base repair & other helpful tips from the pros. Tom, Richard,Norm,Nathan & new member Jenn

[@JEK]

Tommy is the man, he can fix anything!

[@kalijasin]

Tom Silva is a master of all trades. He's a joiner, carpenter, cabinetmaker, woodworker, framer, etc.

[@res00xua]

Love the show the magazine and the KZbin videos. I have learned a great deal watching for decade’s. Thanks

[@tj_gsomething_]

I hope they did the other side as well. Eventually the other side will go, why not cut identical pieces and just do both since it's so easy!

[@willpall]

Ask This Old House always does this. I think the idea is the homeowner has now learned what they need to do, and will tackle the rest of it themselves.

[@rupe53]

... for all we know, they did do the other side, but it's not shown in this shortened clip.

[@stevendavanna]

Love it when I get a video from this old house featuring Tommy or Nathan

[@davem6685]

Tommy is such a wealth of knowledge. The handyman business is growing due to guys like Sam and there’s lots of them out there.

[@rockerpat1085]

I Make My Living Off Sam's!!! The Problem Is Society Valves The Sam's More Than The Tom's!!!

[@dede13295]

Always pleasure watching Tom work...:)

[@yazeed3881]

I need to replace the 4 2x4 posts inside my front porch column and seeing this video made it look easy

[@olgainesmedina5974]

Excelente trabajo. Me fascinó. Gracias 🙏🙏💯

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Sammy Pockets did a great job supervising.

[@sorenhammerholder21]

Was the base anchored to the concrete?

[@mypassion830]

I love this program I grew up watching it

[@Buddy-d4h]

Tom is the man!

[@CU96821]

Great work... But I fear that a considerable wind will rip the porch roof off because the column is not secured to the foundation!

[@Russellviews]

Mine are not secured and never have been, house built in 1880. The weight of the roof should keep them in place ... barring an insane wind. Notice his are secure at the top so any minor roof lift by wind will keep it in place.

[@SalvadorSTMZ]

Came out great. Would adding a plastic liner in between the post and the concrete be a bad idea? Since water makes its way from the concrete up into the post.

[@danielmarquardt4341]

2:39

[@Farm_fab]

The materials they used do not absorb moisture as it is made with the hulls of rice and polymer for adding a bit of strength. There would be little benefit to plastic. This product is called Resysta.

[@kalijasin]

Still should of put a two light coats of Rubberseal or Kilz on the bottom of base just to be on the safe side.

[@Fattony6666]

@@kalijasin no

[@troybush5899]

@@kalijasin Should HAVE , not should of....

[@PJJ196]

So happy to see some fresh content

[@devinbraun1852]

I think this technique is going to work to repair 4-5 column bases at my brother and sister-in-law’s.

[@the_realJP_]

Tommy always makes it look so simple. How did he cut the bottom boards that he scribed though?

[@Stair19]

I noticed they left that part out too...a bandsaw would be a good tool for cutting the scribes, but on the jobsite perhaps a jigsaw would work moderately, if you can brace the scribe somehow.

[@Dredpath1]

I could watch Tommy for hours

[@rolfsinkgraven]

Primer on the bottom of the old wooden Column would help

[@egg110905]

Oh Tommy!

[@vazz22]

Awesome Project!

[@beaker2k]

Dude just has his hands in his pockets the whole time....thanks for helping bro

[@dingdongmagee]

Lol

[@DetroitFlipKing]

🤣

[@WannaBeHocker]

But that vacuum action at 5:15 was something else

[@jeffboelter1409]

There are some, that's the most you can expect.

[@PJJ196]

?? No more than any other person they’ve had on the show

[@robremlap4071]

I've got some kind of metal base at the bottom of the only portch columb I have, but the wood around it is starting to rot. I can fix it myself if I knew what all it wil take to replace it

[@scottdunn6065]

i have some somewhat square posts sitting on concrete columns with stone accents that have trim going around them that keep rotting and needing to be replaced every so often , what can i do to prevent that ? i understand that they absorb the moisture from the stone column.

[@DARWINZOO]

This is identical to my house outside Boston.

[@troykruse5161]

Forgot to show how he made those pieces level after he scribed them

[@twitchtwitch9006]

great video . thank you for this.

[@raymendoza-hr9jv]

Did you buy the rice hull board by the sheet or by the trim board?

[@joshuamills2868]

Look at Tommy wearing Patagucci😂

[@Alex-rb1pq]

Love this video but Sir, where are your GLOVES?

[@Cdshakes]

I know for the broadcast TV show there are time constraints. But it's time that you make an online version that shows the full details. I can't believe they spent this much time showing how they leveled it and put those scribe pieces on the bottom but then never showed how to actually cut to the scribe marks

[@michaell171]

I came to the comments looking for that same explanation. They look too thin for a table saw. Maybe they used a bench sander?

[@werther5952]

Should they tapcon that base to the porch? The screws he sunk into it looked like they wouldn't reach the cement porch. Maybe it was just the angle?

[@JennAngel24]

A hole was drilled in the center of the new post base so air could go up into the column to keep it dry. But how is air going to get though if the joints are sealed? I have to fix my front porch corner column and porch because the previous owners didn't clean out the gutter, so the water overflowed onto the porch & column.

[@Russellviews]

You can put spacers under the base to allow moisture release.

[@JoseCabrera-wx6ur]

Me gusta mucho sus trabajos

[@tmurray1972]

What did you remove the material with on the scribed pieces?

[@Farm_fab]

They used a jigsaw or a sabresaw.

[@tmurray1972]

@@Farm_fab Thanks, I didn’t see it..lol.

[@alexknight7191]

I had to rewind to see if I somehow missed it, but yeah odd to leave that out.

[@saadzeb8055]

Plz make video om how to repair old normal door. Specially washroom door that has holes..

[@meggopeggo.]

Is this material at the base okay to support a heavy duty roof?

[@winer9098]

How much would y’all charge for this job

[@happypeople3952]

Does anyone know if these columns are load bearing ? They are hollow . My house has the exact same columns and structures .

[@keithhall8862]

Yes, they are. That's why the bottle jack was used to take the load off the column while the repair was being done.

[@ralphietito]

I have the exact same problem, but can’t find the same type of lumber. Does anyone know where to find it?

[@patkellyd]

can anyone suggest other material options that rice hull board? It's hard to find. Thanks

[@jds604]

Thought this was NS Builders for a second lol

[@cargogh]

Thought that also, both on thumbnail and for a split second at the door.

[@Michael1M6]

I’m confused! Was the column hollow or did the ants eat into the column? That nest came down as soon as he cut the post!

[@tj_gsomething_]

The ants moved the wood from below, up into the column. Most columns are hollow. Tapered or non-tapered fluted or plain are all hollow. Also when you look at the different materials: polymer stone, fiberglass, PVC and even wood they are all hollow. ... A wood porch column is made by gluing staves together in a circular form and then turning and cutting them on a lathe.

[@robertbamford8266]

@@tj_gsomething_ So … the concern is whether the carpenter ants continued to eat their way up the post. It looks like the infestation is not still active.

[@cup_and_cone]

The column is hollow. The nest was likely sitting right on top.

[@rupe53]

... basically, the ants stop where the water problem stops. Worst case is they cut the column higher and make a taller base, then match it on the other side.

[@hilalyendork7371]

What’s the board called?

[@vincejuarez4465]

Isn't the column still weak and hallow from the center . When tommy took the old one out , alot of bad wood came out ?

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

That was the ant nest. It would appear that the center of the columns is hollow.

[@phillebeau9464]

Do I need (stair) sub-treads to go under 1inch solid oak stair treads? I removed carpet off the steps, currently there are 2 inch raw construction treads. I will take those off and replace with 1 inch solid oak treads. But I will loose 1 inch rise. I have 3 stringers, left right and middle. Thanks.

[@Kulpythekulpster]

Glue 2 1x together and router. Or use 2x oak or whatever you want again.

[@MESTER47]

Why not to change both of bases, for a longer life?

[@mr.popularpants253]

Does jacking it up not damage the house or loosen any nails or screws?

[@mae2759]

No, not at all. Very common practice. You're only jacking it up less than an inch.

[@rupe53]

@@mae2759 ... in most cases it's less than 1/8 inch. At that height you are not pulling nails or screws. You are basically flexing the wood. (no more than what happens with a change of season)

[@jessasdad]

“Nice and tight”…Tom Silva

[@DIYREN1]

I am not an expert on this, but should I worry about the hollow center of the square base? the square base is glued from 2 pieces and supported only on the 4 sides, while the center of the base supports the weight of the column and the porch, am I worrying too much?

[@jamesross1798]

The column is round and hollow, so the weight is actually on the edges of the square base, not center. ⭕🔲

[@MB12116]

Why didn’t you anchor the post into the concrete?

[@romulogomes9831]

Ecelente jobs! USA

[@pacificwhim]

Darn it, he didn't say "rabbet" or "dado." It's not really a Tom Silva video unless at least one of those words comes up.

[@jacobtracy7847]

How about temba.

[@rupe53]

@@jacobtracy7847 ... Tom is good but Norm would have made several pieces then used his biscuit cutter to glue things up, PLUS, doing several passes with the router blades to make a decorative bead accent for each layer.

[@marist89]

I know it's a budget difference, but wouldn't a better long-term solution be replacing the columns with fiberglass columns?

[@tj_gsomething_]

Fiberglass will definitely last longer than wood. So yes it's gotta be a budget difference. They didn't even recommend doing the other side. You know that other side will need updating soon!

[@Farm_fab]

@@tj_gsomething_ they may have done this this way so the homeowner could do this at some point in the future, and teach him some responsibility.

[@Clark-Mills]

Maybe spray some insecticide up inside the hollowed out column before reassembling? I think those ants will continue to eat up the column.

[@MoneyManHolmes]

I wonder what the bottom of the column looked like. Too bad the camera cut away and didn’t show it.

[@Clark-Mills]

@@MoneyManHolmes Seemed bug-hollowed when the nest material fell out, which is what prompted my suggestion. I'd say you saw what I saw... :)

[@paulmitrano3612]

You've come this far, probably should've inspected and reworked the column too.

[@Engineer9736]

They started out with the inspection on that column right at the beginning of the video

[@paulmitrano3612]

@@Engineer9736 Poking a Leatherman at a column doesn't mean the inside is sound. Look at the carpenter ant nest that came out of there.

[@Farm_fab]

@@paulmitrano3612 the rot starts from the outside inward, and the rot made it easy for the ants to cause damage.

[@katmandu8275]

where did he put the jack?

[@todd2456]

Back in the truck when he was done.

[@stormb28]

Who would I call to have porch columns installed?

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

Ghostbusters

[@christophergaither2032]

You never place wood directly on a concrete porch. The wood will act like a sponge with any moisture that may be sitting on concrete. Get a specific either metal or reinforced plastic base to separate contact between concrete and wood

[@Russellviews]

Agreed. I would have done what you said but my porch is wood.

[@rupe53]

Good chance the base rotted because that bush was overgrown for many years. No bushes on the other side = no moisture and no rot.

[@danielgao52]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@geraldtrembley2425]

if Sam is looking for his hands,there in his pockets.

[@degenwow]

The Show should have brought pocket-less trousers for the home-owner.

[@espnmk]

hope that homeowner didn't stretch out those kaki pant pockets too much.

[@BC-ux9iw]

I have a question for this old house…… I have a120 year old house. During a remodel they reframed the stairs. Now they lean. How do I fix that? I can send pics.

[@tj_gsomething_]

Is the foundation sinking/settling? If you place a ball on the floor, does it roll in the same direction? Maybe the house needs to be leveled?

[@gpslightlock1422]

You tell the guy you paid for the remodel to come back and fix it.

[@Guardducks]

A little kilz primer and your good for a few years.

[@the_realJP_]

“Copenter” ants 🐜

[@strawberriebabieex3]

Does the homeowner ever take his hands out of his pockets?

[@geraldtrembley2425]

I thought the idea of this show was for the home owner to help Tommy.Hard to do that with your hands in your pockets.

[@alfredovasquez1439]

I don't think he's going to paint it, his hands in his pockets say it all

[@wowandflutter]

He was playing "pocket pool" while admiring Tom Silva work that column 🎱

[@TheAavelar007]

If that is MDF it is a bad idea to use it outside..

[@pistolpete5325]

2:25 pay attention

[@etiennelj]

Hands in pockets… wow…

[@scarce911]

Ours are concrete and about 25" square..I hope they don't rot 🤭

[@kalijasin]

Carpenter ants 🙈

[@snapjamwoodworks710]

1.79 million subs and I am the 28th person to watch!!

[@johnnywood8082]

You want a cookie?

[@snapjamwoodworks710]

@@johnnywood8082 Lol yes please

[@fireblaster9961]

Wow he actually used a mdf type material and no damp proof protection

[@Engineer9736]

2:50 First watch the video before barking

[@Farm_fab]

@@Engineer9736 they used a product called Resysta that's made from polymer and rice hulls, and is impervious to moisture.

[@chrisburns5691]

Mdf lol...

[@Engineer9736]

@@Farm_fab They explained that, yes, you have to say that to Fire Blaster, he didn’t hear it

[@stevendavanna]

First comment

[@NoSoup4U2]

This video is how to REPAIR a porch column...not REPLACING one!! It would help if folks would put proper titles on their videos!! A helpful video for repairing them, but it gets a thumbs down b/c it's not doing what the title says its supposed to be doing!