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Porches & Decks Home Repair

exterior column base gaps

2 years ago

Appreciate any recommendations. Just replaced exterior porch floors/columns/balusters, going from wood to composite. First pic is original. Significant difficulty with our contractor finding/receiving composite columns but are finally up. Not sure exact material but they are solid and awaiting prime/paint. There are gaps between the columns and base. We are in New England and dirt/ice/water will certainly accumulate. Would a silicone based product work here? Was thinking to fill the small spaces, prior to sand/prime/paint when the weather is warmer. Thanks

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Comments (4)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
Shame on you for your apparent disrespect of the historic fabric of your home. You've replaced a perfectly fine probably old-growth wood balustrade for plastic and sawdust; much more subject to UV light degredation and expansion and contraction.

You have your problem because your contractor ordered the wrong length columns. The flutes penetrate the base instead of terminating beforehand as did the originals probably because he had to shorten them to get them to fit.

Caulk traps water as well as preventing its intrusion. I would use none, however, I'd have the columns replaced wth the proper flute termination.

Probably an old-growth floor you pitched too. Ugh.
sarahj51
Original Author
2 years ago
Home was built in 1995, ie not historic. Columns were no longer secure to the wood floor (which had holes in it) due to rot. Balusters were rotted in several areas and awaiting insect invasion. There were safety concerns as we have young children and a family member with a disability. So I’m not feeling much “shame” about our updates,” just looking to address a minor issue.
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sarahj51
Original Author
2 years ago
We also reused what was salvageable from the floor boards for a different project.
Stax
2 years ago
Ignore the nasty comment above.

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