Tips on post anchor or other solution

[Österby]

Hello,

As you can see in the pictures, our balcony posts need a bit of love, so in other words, it's time to replace them...



The dimensions of the existing (and new) posts are 120x120.

I'm wondering if anyone has tips on how to raise the posts a bit from the plinths. I've looked at a lot of different post shoes, but none feel really great... The thicker variants that fit my posts require quite a big hole straight down into the plinth. I don't have access to such a large drill/hole saw and I'm doubtful if the plinth can handle the operation at all or if it will crack.

What feels best mentally right now is a plate-mounted post shoe, like this one;


Does anyone have other tips on shoes or completely different solutions maybe? The basic idea is to protect the lower part of the post from moisture and water. The simpler/cheaper the solution, the better; as an amateur, I sometimes overwork things... ;-) I have a lot of scrap metal at home, so I might be able to construct something on site.

Thanks in advance and Happy Easter!
Österby

 

[GoForIt]

Probably, you are limited in your selection by the dimension.
Would it be conceivable to mill/chisel notches in the posts at the bottom to be able to go down to e.g., 90mm and use so-called D-post shoes (example from Biltema)?
I have used such for the posts on our veranda.

 

[ZipLock]

Doesn't it look incredibly ugly with post shoes with "foot" and threaded rod according to the image above? On a terrace, you can often hide post shoes, but here they are very visible.

I would try to construct something aesthetically pleasing using steel profiles and welding.

 

[Oldboy]

Are the posts loose today, or are they secured with some invisible metal fitting?
(Could guess, for example, a steel dowel in the middle.)

Are the posts solid (=a log), or are they composed of narrower plank boards? (It looks like they could possibly be composite posts, but it could also be cracks...?)

Have you considered just replacing the lower part (about 0.5-1m)?
Preferably with pressure-treated wood.
(This operation is easier if the post is composite.)

Personally, for aesthetic reasons, I would avoid visible metal fittings on such a fine, solid old construction.

 

[Österby]

You're absolutely right.. using a support shoe wouldn't look good. Thanks for pointing that out!! ☺

The new pillars are laminated timber posts.

Not sure if there's any form of anchor inside, I'll remove some rotten wood and check.

But you can't paint treated lumber, can you? At least not in the first year or so?

What are my other options, "impregnate" the bottom part of the posts (laminated timber) in some way?

 

[Österby]

A strong threaded rod has been used as an "anchor" and protrudes from the plinth. Will have to think about it over the Easter weekend. If anyone has any good/nice suggestions for a solution, they are welcome. ☺

 

[Noseone]

Place a nut on the threaded rod, then you can raise the post a bit. Unsure how it will be with the load since you don't have seating on the entire surface.

You can drill a hole in the post yourself.

 

[corre]

Drill holes also in the new post, prime thoroughly.
A nut at the bottom of the existing threaded rod and a large galvanized washer on top.
http://www.biltema.se/sv/Bygg/Faste...inkat-galvaniserat/Fyrkantsbricka-2000021231/

This will raise the post 2-3cm, which is more than enough to prevent moisture movement.

 

[Österby]

Good tips, thanks. Nut at the bottom, just to be able to "raise" the pole if needed?

 

[corre]

Yes, to raise it a few centimeters from the plinth, it stops being a moisture transport between them. And the height can be fine-tuned there as well.

 

[Österby]

Can I disregard the nut in terms of moisture, and just use one or two larger model square washers? Maybe a slightly worse moisture solution but I think it provides better load distribution/capacity and still mostly prevents water/moisture.

 

[Noseone]

It will surely be fine.

 

[byggarätt]

What has caused the problem is that the footings are poorly constructed regarding moisture, and they are not aesthetically pleasing... in my opinion. I would have replaced just one meter of the posts and cut off the footings at ground level if they are firmly seated down to frost-free depth.
Then I would have cast a reinforced extension in the correct dimensions for the post so that no snow or water can accumulate.
After that, I would have placed a small flashing so that running water is not an issue.

Use a Japanese saw and make a neat moisture-proof joint that you glue with epoxy.

 

[Österby]

New posts in place, thanks for all the tips and advice. I used 2 large flat washers that together created a gap of just over 1cm between the footing and the pillar.

I placed the pillars in Beckers impregnation oil for about 30 minutes (only the bottom ends, the top ends I impregnated with a brush). Then I primed with Beckers primer v and finished with 2 coats of Beckers max. With a little regular care, I hope they'll last a lifetime... Now, however, the rest of the balcony needs to be spruced up to match the new posts... 😊

 

[Oldboy]

There we go. Nice to have feedback on the results.

"Now, however, the rest of the balcony needs to be tidied up to match the new posts... 😊"
Yes, that's how it is when renovating old houses. You start at one end and then it never ends. And if you are quick and persistent and make it all the way around, it's probably time to spruce up the first thing you renovated...