Hello
I'm painting my front steps and the stoop. The paint has been flaking off the bottom of the support columns, when I peeled it off the wood underneath is waterlogged. This isn't the result of one particular storm, I remember last time I painted, year or two ago, they were wet then too. The columns appear to be at least partially hollow, so my first though was to drill a hole from underneath and create a drain, but there must be some metal hardware involved because I couldn't drill through. Should I be looking for a leak from above (the tiles on top of the stoop look fine)? My other though was to drill hole toward the bottom pillars and stick in some kind of plastic vent to allow the moisture to escape. Any ideas? Is this a common problem? Thanks!

I posted an image he

http://i61.tinypic.com/2ufq5ol.png

I can't see your image. Tinypic seems to block anyone
who doesn't enable javascript, which powers the
numerous tracking and ad operations embedded in
their pages.

In any case, what you describe is common. Several
factors can contribute: Column bases are often exposed
to the weather. Modern water-base paints don't stand
up to moisture. Water can wick underneath.

Solutions are limited. I would scrape it and leave it to
dry out. Then put a good oil-base, linseed oil primer on it.
Maybe also use caulking around the base, if that's feasible.
Then preferably paint it with oil paint. Sherwin Williams
still sells exterior oil paint in quarts. Next best would
be oil-base solid stain. Failing that, use a decent acrylic
or latex paint. It won't hold up, but the primer will hold
it for awhile.


wrote in message
...
Hello
I'm painting my front steps and the stoop. The paint has been flaking off
the bottom of the support columns, when I peeled it off the wood underneath
is waterlogged. This isn't the result of one particular storm, I remember
last time I painted, year or two ago, they were wet then too. The columns
appear to be at least partially hollow, so my first though was to drill a
hole from underneath and create a drain, but there must be some metal
hardware involved because I couldn't drill through. Should I be looking for
a leak from above (the tiles on top of the stoop look fine)? My other
though was to drill hole toward the bottom pillars and stick in some kind of
plastic vent to allow the moisture to escape. Any ideas? Is this a common
problem? Thanks!

I posted an image he

http://i61.tinypic.com/2ufq5ol.png

On Friday, May 30, 2014 10:48:23 AM UTC-4, Mayayana wrote:
I can't see your image. Tinypic seems to block anyone

who doesn't enable javascript, which powers the

numerous tracking and ad operations embedded in

their pages.



In any case, what you describe is common. Several

factors can contribute: Column bases are often exposed

to the weather. Modern water-base paints don't stand

up to moisture. Water can wick underneath.



Solutions are limited. I would scrape it and leave it to

dry out. Then put a good oil-base, linseed oil primer on it.

Maybe also use caulking around the base, if that's feasible.

Then preferably paint it with oil paint. Sherwin Williams

still sells exterior oil paint in quarts. Next best would

be oil-base solid stain. Failing that, use a decent acrylic

or latex paint. It won't hold up, but the primer will hold

it for awhile.





wrote in message

...

Hello

I'm painting my front steps and the stoop. The paint has been flaking off

the bottom of the support columns, when I peeled it off the wood underneath

is waterlogged. This isn't the result of one particular storm, I remember

last time I painted, year or two ago, they were wet then too. The columns

appear to be at least partially hollow, so my first though was to drill a

hole from underneath and create a drain, but there must be some metal

hardware involved because I couldn't drill through. Should I be looking for

a leak from above (the tiles on top of the stoop look fine)? My other

though was to drill hole toward the bottom pillars and stick in some kind of

plastic vent to allow the moisture to escape. Any ideas? Is this a common

problem? Thanks!



I posted an image he



http://i61.tinypic.com/2ufq5ol.png


The picture appears to show trim molding at the bottom? Those supports
should be resting on metal support widgets that are designed to take up
the last 3/4" or so. It's like a flat stand with legs on the corners so
it's mostly open underneath. That keeps the wood off the deck, so it won't
stay wet and rot.

wrote in message

Hello
I'm painting my front steps and the stoop. The paint has been flaking off
the bottom of the support columns, when I peeled it off the wood
underneath is waterlogged. This isn't the result of one particular storm,
I remember last time I painted, year or two ago, they were wet then too.
The columns appear to be at least partially hollow, so my first though
was to drill a hole from underneath and create a drain, but there must be
some metal hardware involved because I couldn't drill through. Should I
be looking for a leak from above (the tiles on top of the stoop look
fine)? My other though was to drill hole toward the bottom pillars and
stick in some kind of plastic vent to allow the moisture to escape. Any
ideas? Is this a common problem? Thanks!

Yes, It's common. Same thing with door frames.

The wet is not coming from above. Forget a vent. Has it a built up column
(i.e., made from several long pieces)? Is that column resting on a separate
base?

First thing is to cut out ALL bad wood and repair that. That includes the
base if such exists. Coating exposed wood with wood preservative is a good
idea...get the stuff used to apply to PT lumber where it is cut.

Next thing is to arrange things so water can't run or be wicked in around
the bottom edge. Then prime and paint, preferably with oil paint.

When I've had to repair rot around doors I cut out the bad wood, filled in
with Bondo (auto body filler). At the bottom I left a gap of 1/4" or so;
the inside edge of the gap slopes up. I then caulk the gap using backer rod
if needed. If you do that, use a good caulk but not silicone, it won't
paint;

--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

posted for all of us...

And I know how to SNIP


Hello
I'm painting my front steps and the stoop. The paint has been flaking off the bottom of the support columns, when I peeled it off the wood underneath is waterlogged. This isn't the result of one particular storm, I remember last time I painted, year or two ago, they were wet then too. The columns appear to be at least partially hollow, so my first though was to drill a hole from underneath and create a drain, but there must be some metal hardware
involved because I couldn't drill through. Should I be looking for a leak from above (the tiles on top of the stoop look fine)? My other though was to drill hole toward the bottom pillars and stick in some kind of plastic vent to allow the moisture to escape. Any ideas? Is this a common problem? Thanks!

I posted an image he

http://i61.tinypic.com/2ufq5ol.png

Your column looks exactly like an episode on "Ask this gnarly House" Tom
Sliver jacked up the roof then cut the rotten part off and used a scarf
joint to replace the rotten stuff. IIRC he used PT wood. While you are
doing it do all the columns. Not an uncommon problem.

--
Tekkie