Replace a fixed timber post / porch support

[Stu4rt]

I need to replace one of the timber posts that supports my porch roof. I think it's beyond repair due to the extent of the rotten wood I had to remove. Please see attached photos. There is a tenon & mortice joint at the top and the metal 'cup' at the bottom is fixed into the wall on a metal spike. So whilst I can easily remove the damaged post, I'm unsure how I would insert the new one due to both ends needing to be fixed in place.

I did get a quote for repair but I was let down a few times and then ghosted. He was going to cut the post and insert a new section, but I'm not sure how he would have done this, or how the post would have been structurally secure from a side impact.

Any advice or suggestions would be gratefully received - I have tried to get further quotes but no-one appears interested in the work. The only I did get was beyond my available budget.

A neigbour has replaced their timber posts with metal supports, removing the metal 'cups' in the process, so that's an option, but I would rather replace with wood if possible.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

If it were me, I'd probably go with a fairly simple scarf joint and use half a dozen decent screws rather than bolts and a dash of two pack wood filler to hide my sins.

 

[DAZB]

If it were me, I'd probably go with a fairly simple scarf joint and use half a dozen decent screws rather than bolts and a dash of two pack wood filler to hide my sins.

What you have shown there is a lap joint but very much the way to tackle this one. You still actually have around half of the timber depth at the base so using modern foaming glues and good screws you could cut out the rot with a multitool type weapon and patch in a new piece of timber and if done well you can make it almost invisible.

 

[Stu4rt]

@freddiemercurystwin and @DAZB thanks for the advice, I'll give it a go!

 

[Scally-Ho]

If one side is rotting, what about replacing both with an aluminum box section.

 

[Stu4rt]

If one side is rotting, what about replacing both with an aluminum box section.

It's possibly a better long term solution but I wouldn't know how to identify the correct load / weight bearing requirement or how to install

 

[big-all]

i would say what ever you do i would think about either introducing drain holes in the metal or even making sure the gap is filled even with a slight taper off something like decorators caulk so the dropping water is diverted down the outside rather than getting trapped internally between wood and metal

 

[Stu4rt]

i would say what ever you do i would think about either introducing drain holes in the metal or even making sure the gap is filled even with a slight taper off something like decorators caulk so the dropping water is diverted down the outside rather than getting trapped internally between wood and metal

Thanks! Yes, I will be sealing around the top to prevent any future issues.