Hello -
I'm doing some remodeling on my house and have exposed a large 8x8 load-beaing post, which is one of the primary posts towards the front of the house. The post has a large crack running top to almost the bottom, and a slightly smaller crack from the bottom to 1/3 up the post. The post is approximately 8' tall. The crack appears shallow in places but does get up to 3-4 inches deep in others, narrowing as it goes inwards in all cases.
(See pix attached - it's the dark beam, there's a screwdriver inserted in the crack)
The post looks like original construction, meaning it's about 80 years old.
Is this normal drying and cracking? Should it be replaced? Shored up? Or perhaps strengthened with several lateral bolts to hold it together? Other options?
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
I'm doing some remodeling on my house and have exposed a large 8x8 load-beaing post, which is one of the primary posts towards the front of the house. The post has a large crack running top to almost the bottom, and a slightly smaller crack from the bottom to 1/3 up the post. The post is approximately 8' tall. The crack appears shallow in places but does get up to 3-4 inches deep in others, narrowing as it goes inwards in all cases.
(See pix attached - it's the dark beam, there's a screwdriver inserted in the crack)
The post looks like original construction, meaning it's about 80 years old.
Is this normal drying and cracking? Should it be replaced? Shored up? Or perhaps strengthened with several lateral bolts to hold it together? Other options?
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
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