How to Replace Porch Posts Columns, Complete Guide with Tips, Easy

Complete guide to easily replace porch posts / columns / pillars. Remove old rotted posts and install new ones.
Video to install vinyl wraps on the porch posts:
• How to Install RDI Pos...
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How-to and Reviews

[@mauric6943]

Enjoyed the video but also wondered about some type of mechanical connection between post and concrete porch. I'm in southern California (earthquake country) so maybe code requirements are different in your area.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Thanks! This is a great question. New construction options involving a long vertical anchor through the center of the post are not practical in this scenario of replacing a post. There are angle brackets available, but they would result in exterior flanges and anchors that would be difficult to cover with trim. Example (this is a random product for reference and I don’t endorse it): amzn.to/3DvU6xU Another option is to toe in tapcon concrete anchors. I personally put down a big squirt of construction adhesive on the concrete before placing the post. I know of other porch posts that are not anchored. But, as a result of your message, I will plan to go back and add mechanical anchors.

[@DanYHKim2]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial Can a porch post be placed on a precast concrete deck footing block? I have some that are cast with a socket designed to hold a vertical 4x4 or horizontal 2x-lumber. I could drill a hole into the center to hold a vertical anchoring bolt or rebar, and make a similar hole in the 4x4, but the name "deck block" kind of implies to me that they are meant for decks, and might not be acceptable for supporting a post that holds up the roof of an attached porch. I have a roof overhang over my front walkway which needs to have the corner post replaced, and I've been considering using a deck block to hold it. Note: I understand that codes vary by state, and your comment and advice here is not to be taken as legally-authoritative or even sound in terms of engineering. I take all risks in my actions when I attempt to make repairs on my house.

[@wesleypaver7824]

Getting ready to do mine, Great idea with the calk on the ends!!! Will be using that one

[@usa5439]

Did you do it?

[@kentuckywindage222]

Thinking about helping other's with a simple video of something not your everyday run of the mill task is good. Never mind the Negative Nelly's out there. Your video probably gave them the knowledge for this task or an idea of how to deal with a similar one. Good job. Keep'em coming.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@brucelukens7185]

Great, clear explanations of both videos in this series. Thanks!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Glad it was helpful!

[@seanwhalan2690]

Thanks for the video, very informative and I really appreciate the way you showed all the components. I also liked the explanation why you did the things you did.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Glad it helped!

[@edward1967able]

I only have one question or may be I missed it , how did you secure the bottom base/cement ?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Good question. I went back and used Tapcon concrete anchors.

[@michaelwalker9734]

Exactly. He didn’t! 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@newtoro1]

What is the brand name of the 6" post saver's you purchased and which store did you purchase them

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I got them from Home Depot. The brand was “Post Saver”

[@reviewthis5756]

Great video and attention to detail 👍🏼

[@Moondoggy1941]

5:45 I saw a gentleman used Goo for shoes to put on the bottom of the post maybe you could do a video on what works best, if you have some of the post left over you can dap them up and then set them on water on concrete just plain of water and then check to see which one sucked up the water.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That would be interesting! I’ve added it to my list of future videos, which is about 10 miles long, and always gets longer, not shorter.

[@trey6422]

Do you have a video showing how to replace post foot trim only?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I did install covers and foot trim in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6q8q6GYm8yWr7M The foot trim is near the end.

[@bergcrawler1]

What type of wood did you use?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Cedar 6x6 posts.

[@dmmm4897]

Where did you buy the 6x6 cedar posts?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I believe from Home Depot.

[@jimboreaddabible777]

Is post resting on or attached to concrete? I believe it should be attached to prevent updraft winds from doing what they do.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Yes. I went back with tapcon screws.

[@fishman80]

great video. question..did u replace one at a time meaning move the jack next to each post and replaced each one while the old ones remained?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

One at a time. Jack the header beam up right next to the post.

[@richardvanpuymbrouck8297]

I have a question...what is the legal width size of that post. Is it 4x4 or 6x6?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I used a 6x6 (actual size 5 1/2 x 5 1/2). It is also common to use 4x4 (actual size 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 half).

[@gl35]

Where did you get the white composite supports that you used? Thanks.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Those came from Home Depot.

[@daviddisharoon]

What brand of mechanical jack do you recommend?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I don’t think it matters. It is a simple mechanism; a threaded rod through a nut. I would not hesitate to use whatever brand is carried at the store.

[@MacAutoDiag]

Harbor freight rapid pump 3 ton

[@isag9786]

What plate did you set your post on?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Here is the link. I purchased them from Home Depot. www.homedepot.com/p/Post-Saver-5-1-4-in-x-5-1-4-in-Vinyl-Plinth-128918/206904383 This is another option: www.lowes.com/pd/Simpson-Strong-Tie-6-in-x-6-in-Wood-to-Concrete-Retrofit-Base/1002709750

[@FirstNameLastName-okayyoutube]

This comment was visable while i was watching the video and i knew he was spending too long talking about raising the roof.

[@kaosbboi]

I've seen in other videos where log cabins are made, and they scorch the ends of beams to prevent water damage and protect from elements - do you think it would work in this application?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I am not familiar with that specific method, but it is interesting and I will look into it. There are other products for this specific application, like Copper Green. I used caulk because I already owned it.

[@handyishrandyish334]

The bottoms don’t require securing to concrete ?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

This is a great question. New construction options involving a long vertical anchor through the center of the post are not practical in this scenario of replacing a post. There are angle brackets available, but they would result in exterior flanges and anchors that would be difficult to cover with trim. Example (this is a random product for reference and I don’t endorse it): amzn.to/3DvU6xU Another option is to toe in tapcon concrete anchors. I personally put down a big squirt of construction adhesive on the concrete before placing the post. I know of other porch posts that are not anchored. But, I went back and toed in tapcon concrete anchors.

[@handyishrandyish334]

Sorry I asked before reading comments I see you have answered before thank you great vid

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@handyishrandyish334 No problem! Glad it helped!

[@temujinkhan6326]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial Not difficult just laziness. New constructions or some professionals don't anchor because it cost more in both time and labor.

[@Blacksoulbrushes]

Just what I needed

[@chrisrmz6059]

How long was your screws

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I’m not certain. Probably 2.5 or 3 inch. I like to get an inch of screw into the header beam after towing through the post.

[@Pandaremodel]

Did you secure to the floor? How?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

It was secured to the floor with a squirt of caulk and gravity.

[@joaquinsuarez6090]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial how did you secure the composite plate to concrete? Tapcon concrete screws?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@joaquinsuarez6090 Tapcon screws are probably the best option in my opinion. With a post placement, it is not possible to do anything up through the center like with a new installation.

[@TrippKnightly]

You should use a wood treatment like copper green and soak the ends of the posts for 24 hrs not liberal caulk.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

[@mikeryan6277]

Or just use PT Lumber #2 for ground contact.

[@wilsonlee9537]

The new posts all seem to have long irregular vertical cracks....Water will almost certainly get in and you will be thee replacing those posts within 2 years or so....Surely you would seal those cracks with epoxy silicone or builders bog...

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Vertical splits are completely normal. It’s not a problem. Nothing to worry about.

[@MrWhitelightning73]

Outstanding

[@jugalsharma8151]

Awesome thanks

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@joelnobel5717]

Great

[@LewisJohnsonIII]

Fudge yea

[@lisafrank4860]

Those porch savers did not save my posts.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Wow!

[@jamesbrown4393]

Your video seems more like an afterthought than a wall planned tutorial. It's not worth sharing with others.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

It was indeed a planned tutorial, but a walkthrough after the fact. I was brand new to making KZbin videos and took notes during the process to make a video afterward. I didn’t have the equipment or experience to film it real-time. If I were to make this video today, it would be completely different. But, we have to dive in and start somewhere. I learned from it and evolved to get the needed equipment and film real time. I’m sorry you don’t think it’s worth sharing. But, thanks for watching and sharing. I thought it was worth sharing at the time, and looking through the comments it has helped others. So, it was worth sharing in my opinion.

[@Becky4liberty]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial I thought it was perfect:)

[@lwalto]

I thought it was great.

[@narrowminded7694]

Some people don't appreciate others taking time to explain a project that will help others with no experience. They don't grasp how much time it takes and how thoughtful they are to record and share.

[@bubby7089]

Please say caulk with an L

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Hahaha. It sounds even worse and awkward when I intentionally put an L in it. I guess it’s just one of those words for me.