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Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @vanda99. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about post supports.
Could you please add some images to show us the current issue and the location of the post? That would really help our members when providing solutions. I can also give you a hand if you need help uploading the images.
Typically, timber posts installed on a post stirrup should last for many years without rotting. Rotting often indicates that water is either being trapped between the bottom of the post and the stirrup, or that the stirrup is set too close to the ground, allowing moisture to sit at the base of the post. There are full stirrups available with an extended metal leg underneath, which allows you to cut the post back and raise it higher off the ground. Could you replace the existing stirrup with one of those?
If the issue is water creeping between the post and the stirrup, you can paint the bottom of the post with bitumen paint to help prevent water penetration and future rot. It's important to note that the post must bear its weight onto the stirrup and can't be raised on the stirrup, which bears its weight on the fixings. We're keen to see some photos so we can assist you further.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Yes the original stirrups were set too low or too be more accurate - whoever later did the concrete driveway built it too high, so water did eventually rot the base of the posts. The stirrups are the ones you mention and embedded in concrete hole.
Today i found 90mm stirrups as uploaded and wondered if i could place them inside the existing 100mm stirrups thereby raising the bottom of the posts several cm and leaving clear air below.
Hello @vanda99
If you have a 100mm x 100mm post, I propose using the Pryda 100mm M10 Bolt Down w Raised Mount Post Anchor (special order product) as it is a better fit to your existing post. The other option is the Pryda 100mm M12 Bolt Down w Washer Post Anchor also capable of being installed under your post.
I recommend engaging the services of a builder to safely replace your stirrup and ensure the repair complies with your local council’s rules and regulations.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Another band-aid solution from me.
You can just make out the ineffective TEK screw at the bottom of the photo.
I welded two steel 5mm plates onto the existing stirrup vertical members with pre-drilled 1/2" holes.
Drill both sides till 'they meet.'
Insert bolt and nut.
I will be dead before the rot reaches this point.
Hi @vanda99,
I note that in your original post, you mention you can't add a stirrup as it's on a corner. Can you replace that stirrup? It would be better to replace it with one of these options than to try to install one inside another. You'd still need to bolt this new 90mm post support in place, and that can't be done inside a 100mm post support.
Mitchell
Thanks so much for your thoughts. The original stirrup is one of those embedded in a concrete hole - not dyna bolted to a proper smooth flat concrete slab - so thats why i am looking for a way to use the original stirrup. A 90mm stirrups as below would fit inside the existing one and raise the bottom of the post 20 ml which is all thats needed. I thought i would need to drill holes either through the old stirrup or new one but now realise they line up. So i think its ✅
