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How to fix timber posts supporting the verandah?

xiaoci2008

Hi, there

I got three of these wooden verandahs that are touching the ground directly that exposed them to moisture.

The original paint starts to peel off and I applied some paint which was a job poorly down as shown below.

I would like to maintain it properly and would want some advise on the steps to take and recommended products.

And please advise on whether replacement is a must if maintenance is not practical?

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MitchellMc

Hi @xiaoci2008,

It’s a little difficult to tell exactly what condition the posts are in underneath the layers of paint, but from your photo, the timber around the base does appear quite deteriorated.

I’d start by sanding and scraping the area right back to clean, raw timber. This will allow you to properly inspect the post and determine whether there is any soft, spongy or rotted timber beneath the surface.

As these posts are supporting your verandah, the important consideration is how much sound timber remains. If the deterioration is substantial enough to compromise the structural integrity of the post, filling and repainting it wouldn’t be an appropriate repair and the post would need to be repaired or replaced.

Once you've exposed the timber, please feel free to post some updated photos and we can help assess what your next steps might be. If you are not confident in sanding the posts, then I would suggest contacting a professional to assist.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

xiaoci2008

Hi, Mitchell

Thank you so much for your detailed information. Can you please advise if it's a must to clean the timber with Cabot's 1L Deck Clean or soapy water would be enough?

Thank you!

JacobZ

Hi @xiaoci2008,

Cabot's Deck Clean is more necessary with bare or oiled timber. As you have painted timber, it is not really needed. You should be fine with warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

xiaoci2008

Hi, I just sanded some of the most worn part. They are not soft to touch. Are you able to advise if the wood still need to be replaced? If not, should I proceed with sanding off all the old paints then prime/reprint?

What would be the recommended products

EricL

Hello @xiaoci2008

Please sand all four sides of the post and share photos of what they look like. The surface of your post is suffering from repeated moisture exposure which causes the timber fibres on the surface to swell and shrink which causes the split surface. It is difficult to tell how far the damage has travelled so it is important that all four sides of the post must be seen so that we can examine and assess its condition.

I recommend doing a few tests on the post. I suggest tapping the surface of the post. The sound should be the same as you tap the body of the post. A noticeably dull or hollow sound confined to one area can indicate internal deterioration. This isn't definitive, but it is useful for comparing suspect areas with obviously sound timber higher up.

Check the depth of the splits, with a thin blunt probe or tool, establish approximately how deep the timber splits extend. Don't force the probe or enlarge the cracks. A shallow surface check is quite different from a deep split extending substantially through the post.

Concentrate on the base, this is particularly important. Check all four sides immediately above floor/ground level and wherever the post enters or contacts its support. Look for softness, swelling, fungal decay, persistent dampness and loss of timber section. A post can be quite hard 500 mm up while being seriously deteriorated at its base.

Check post movement, without applying excessive force, see whether the post has unusual movement compared with other similar posts. Also look for leaning, separation at connections, sagging above it or movement at the top and bottom connections. Don't deliberately load or shake a post that is supporting a roof or deck.

Once you have carried out these tests, please let us know the results.

Eric

xiaoci2008

Thanks so much, Eric.

Do I need to purchase any paint in advance? How long can the original timber be exposed?

It's not going to be raining in the next week, but I still want to protect the timber from the sun.

Can you recommend some paint to apply first before I sand down all the paint?

I guess it would still be good to protect the timber even before a replacement can happen?

EricL

Hello @xiaoci2008

It all depends on what you want to use. If you are painting it with outdoor paint, you can use any of the outdoor paints that Dulux, Taubmans and British paint offers. But if you want stain and oil the post, you can use something like https://www.bunnings.com.au/timber-protect-4l-brown-fence-stain_p0011532 or https://www.bunnings.com.au/intergrain-1l-natural-nature-s-timber-oil_p1524734 along with https://www.bunnings.com.au/feast-watson-4l-merbau-traditional-timber-oil-4l_p0011534 .

Please remember that it is best to determine the condition of your post before you paint over it again. If it is in a poor or damaged condition it is not worth painting over it if it will be replaced in the immediate future.

Eric