I think my house may fall. Is this a concern?

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anktihshetty

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Campbell River, Canada
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One of the poles in the front entrance of my house is slanted and I always feel it is going to cause a major problem. The bottom of the wooden pole just seems to be placed on a small concrete brick. Is this a concern? If yes who can fix this issue?
 
Hi anktihshetty,

It certainly seems like the situation should be at least evaluated, probably before the next heavy snow or wind load. Conversely, it may stay in place for decades. When snow shoveling, be sure not to whack the base of the post with the shovel.

From only the photo, if the post falls the worst that will happen is that the porch roof will fall, damaging whatever tears out and whatever it lands upon. Home insurance typically covers this.

A competent carpenter would be the person to evaluate and fix this problem.

Referrals from friends and neighbors are a good source for carpenters. House of Worship weekly bulletins often have ads. And, asking at the local lumber yard (not big box home center) order desk may supply some good references. Those desk people often know who is good and who is a trunk slammer.

Be sure to get more than one quote and ensure the contractor is insured and pulls any permits if necessary.

Let us know what you learn of the situation!
Paul
 
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One of the poles in the front entrance of my house is slanted and I always feel it is going to cause a major problem. The bottom of the wooden pole just seems to be placed on a small concrete brick. Is this a concern? If yes who can fix this issue?
To me the covered porch/landing doesn’t look to be original to the house. I could be wrong though as it is hard not being able to see how it was built.



The roof structure is attached to the house with a ledger board and the outboard supports to my eye look undersized and likely not supported properly at the base. In your climate the footings should likely be down 3-4’. If the posts were buried maybe in concrete that post could have become rotted and was braced up and then cut off and a block placed under it as a not so good fix. Or maybe if done as an addition to the house made like that on both sides.



For me it calls into question how well the ledger was done as well as the flashing between the house siding and the roof. It should all be looked over.



Being tilted would bother me a lot and I would take a sledgehammer and straighten it up if I could for the meantime if the base block is large enough. Maybe a cross board could be put across at the base of the two poles and bolted in to also stiffen it up some until you can get it all replaced correctly.
 

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