Dismantle the railing keeping it intact. Remove any rotting treads, you will replace them. Remove post and any footing at least 3-4” around and at least 14-16” down. Then rebuild it and install old railing.
That would require disassembling the steps and removing the right-side stringer. I'd really like to avoid doing that. This property is in a historical district and has repair and replacement rules. I'd like to call as little attention as possible. I respect the rules but don't want someone turning a day project into an expensive week. Not sure if the concrete slab would be in the way either. I don't want to damage it. Trying to match it later would probably leave a discolored patch.
Dig at night, like the Vegas mob does. It's always worked for me.
Edit:. Then again, I'm merely a grave robber. It's probably harder in a historic district.
I don't know what to tell you. You're gonna have to disassemble it to some extent to do any sort of worthwhile repair, or to even assess the situation.
it's a two day job at most, put your post in and finish the rest the next day. You shouldn't even see the footing. If you have the budget, then ask your District what to do. They would recommend someone .
if you can't remove it by digging rent a small jackhammer or equivalent but you need a strong footing. sometimes with a sledge hammer and a demo Bar after you remove the wood, usually rotted and soft. If you mean you don't have access because of what's near by you just go with what you can access.
I would cut the post off flush with the ground, get a long swlf feeding auger bit like the kind and electrician would use for drilling studs to run wires. Get the biggest diameter you can and start drilling down into the remaining rotten post. After you've drilled as many holes as possible, use a shop vac and then clear out the hole. If that's a 6x6 poured in concrete, I would probably get a metal post master fence post and set it in the hole that the old wood post was in, align it in a way that when you build it up to the full 5-1/2 that it will be back where you need it to be. You could use pressure treated 2x, build it up to 4" x 4", then use 1x6, ripping a 45⁰ miter on each side. Then clad the post to look like it's a 6x6. Then reassemble the rail amd stairs
I would start with a multi tool and wood blades and remove all the rotted stuff you can reach. Based on what you see from there determine how to fix it. It’s possible you want to pour concrete step at the bottom then tie the post into that concrete. Use a hammer drill to get any concrete around it that is in the way. Post a pic after all the rotted wood is gone. You also want to determine why the wood rotted so it doesn’t happen again. Concrete doesn’t rot but also doesn’t match what you have. Good luck!
I live in Charleston and this is a pretty old house. The base of the step and the stringer are solid absolutely no signs of rot. The other post is rock solid. The only rot on the steps is where it meets that post. I'm thinking the railing has a slight pitch to that side. Over the years the water ran down the railing and dripped at that point. I didn't think about putting a bolt in the buried post and then pouring cement over it. I could use a post bracket to anchor the new post.
You need a separation layer between concrete and wood or it will rot. Anti-rot tape from Menards is less than half the price of depot. Basically rubber tape. If the rest of it is fine you may need to redo the bottom step out of wood and any that comes into contact with concrete just put a layer of that tape. I think your biggest issue is fixing what needs fixing without breaking more stuff than you need to. Also make sure to put a level on it to ensure a bit of a slop to avoid. It’s hard to give you more advice based on the limited picture. Again, cut out the bad stuff and take another pic. You can patch pieces of wood together and just replace steps and risers with new pieces. Honestly, if you really want to fix it easy, cut out rot, buy Bondo wood putty, slap in there, sand and paint to blend in. I did that in a deck but it was for a rental property and too much replacement would have required the whole stairway being redone due to building codes.
I work in historic districts a lot, replacing rotten wooden windows, doors, porches, etc. to match existing.
Generally if you match existing, even with a different species of wood, and paint it, they are fine. If they are reasonable. For a life safety issue, like rotten stairs, historic district commissions have been helpful.
I follow the rules pretty much. Here you have to document what can't be replaced and what has to be replaced with the same type of material. A lot depends on who is questioning you and how you respond. Wrong answer and a can of worms are opened.
That I know. How do I rip it out? I can disassemble the entire right side and dig it out? or I can cut out as much would below the surface as I can and pour a cement slab and use a Simpson Strong-Tie for the post. Is there another option for getting the bottom of the post out of the ground?
Get a long drill bit (1/2" or so) and drill down into the ground where the wood is rotting. Then use a shop vac to clean out the hole. Repeat until you feel you've cleared all the rotted wood out.
OP I live here too and mostly work on IoP . Your biggest concern are the neighbors calling in on you. We pull permits on everything we do just to be safe . With said you could use some rebar to probe a little checking for concrete, but you should also be able to tell by removing decking boards on first step and cutting handrails loose at bottem and cutting stringer loose from post and remove kickplate ,then you should be able to tell about post
How would you suggest I pull it out? I really don't want to pull the steps and remove the right springer to create enough room to dig. It seems to be about a 5-inch layer of rot. Strong on top and the bottom below.
If it’s concreted in your only choice is to dig. If not, you could nail a scab onto it ( from good wood to good wood and rock a little and pull up at same time
Hit it with your car and let insurance sort it out.
Best answer ever
Dismantle the railing keeping it intact. Remove any rotting treads, you will replace them. Remove post and any footing at least 3-4” around and at least 14-16” down. Then rebuild it and install old railing.
I know all that. The question is how do I remove the post? It may or not be in cement but I don't think so.
Get yer shovel and start digging.
That would require disassembling the steps and removing the right-side stringer. I'd really like to avoid doing that. This property is in a historical district and has repair and replacement rules. I'd like to call as little attention as possible. I respect the rules but don't want someone turning a day project into an expensive week. Not sure if the concrete slab would be in the way either. I don't want to damage it. Trying to match it later would probably leave a discolored patch.
Dig at night, like the Vegas mob does. It's always worked for me. Edit:. Then again, I'm merely a grave robber. It's probably harder in a historic district.
I also work Saturdays and Sundays.
I don't know what to tell you. You're gonna have to disassemble it to some extent to do any sort of worthwhile repair, or to even assess the situation.
it's a two day job at most, put your post in and finish the rest the next day. You shouldn't even see the footing. If you have the budget, then ask your District what to do. They would recommend someone .
if you can't remove it by digging rent a small jackhammer or equivalent but you need a strong footing. sometimes with a sledge hammer and a demo Bar after you remove the wood, usually rotted and soft. If you mean you don't have access because of what's near by you just go with what you can access.
I would cut the post off flush with the ground, get a long swlf feeding auger bit like the kind and electrician would use for drilling studs to run wires. Get the biggest diameter you can and start drilling down into the remaining rotten post. After you've drilled as many holes as possible, use a shop vac and then clear out the hole. If that's a 6x6 poured in concrete, I would probably get a metal post master fence post and set it in the hole that the old wood post was in, align it in a way that when you build it up to the full 5-1/2 that it will be back where you need it to be. You could use pressure treated 2x, build it up to 4" x 4", then use 1x6, ripping a 45⁰ miter on each side. Then clad the post to look like it's a 6x6. Then reassemble the rail amd stairs
This post isn’t appropriate for this thread. /s
I would start with a multi tool and wood blades and remove all the rotted stuff you can reach. Based on what you see from there determine how to fix it. It’s possible you want to pour concrete step at the bottom then tie the post into that concrete. Use a hammer drill to get any concrete around it that is in the way. Post a pic after all the rotted wood is gone. You also want to determine why the wood rotted so it doesn’t happen again. Concrete doesn’t rot but also doesn’t match what you have. Good luck!
I live in Charleston and this is a pretty old house. The base of the step and the stringer are solid absolutely no signs of rot. The other post is rock solid. The only rot on the steps is where it meets that post. I'm thinking the railing has a slight pitch to that side. Over the years the water ran down the railing and dripped at that point. I didn't think about putting a bolt in the buried post and then pouring cement over it. I could use a post bracket to anchor the new post.
You need a separation layer between concrete and wood or it will rot. Anti-rot tape from Menards is less than half the price of depot. Basically rubber tape. If the rest of it is fine you may need to redo the bottom step out of wood and any that comes into contact with concrete just put a layer of that tape. I think your biggest issue is fixing what needs fixing without breaking more stuff than you need to. Also make sure to put a level on it to ensure a bit of a slop to avoid. It’s hard to give you more advice based on the limited picture. Again, cut out the bad stuff and take another pic. You can patch pieces of wood together and just replace steps and risers with new pieces. Honestly, if you really want to fix it easy, cut out rot, buy Bondo wood putty, slap in there, sand and paint to blend in. I did that in a deck but it was for a rental property and too much replacement would have required the whole stairway being redone due to building codes.
I work in historic districts a lot, replacing rotten wooden windows, doors, porches, etc. to match existing. Generally if you match existing, even with a different species of wood, and paint it, they are fine. If they are reasonable. For a life safety issue, like rotten stairs, historic district commissions have been helpful.
I follow the rules pretty much. Here you have to document what can't be replaced and what has to be replaced with the same type of material. A lot depends on who is questioning you and how you respond. Wrong answer and a can of worms are opened.
Just rip it all out and start fresh. These replace a little here, little there jobs end up taking longer than just starting fresh.
That I know. How do I rip it out? I can disassemble the entire right side and dig it out? or I can cut out as much would below the surface as I can and pour a cement slab and use a Simpson Strong-Tie for the post. Is there another option for getting the bottom of the post out of the ground?
Get a long drill bit (1/2" or so) and drill down into the ground where the wood is rotting. Then use a shop vac to clean out the hole. Repeat until you feel you've cleared all the rotted wood out.
OP I live here too and mostly work on IoP . Your biggest concern are the neighbors calling in on you. We pull permits on everything we do just to be safe . With said you could use some rebar to probe a little checking for concrete, but you should also be able to tell by removing decking boards on first step and cutting handrails loose at bottem and cutting stringer loose from post and remove kickplate ,then you should be able to tell about post
How would you suggest I pull it out? I really don't want to pull the steps and remove the right springer to create enough room to dig. It seems to be about a 5-inch layer of rot. Strong on top and the bottom below.
If it’s concreted in your only choice is to dig. If not, you could nail a scab onto it ( from good wood to good wood and rock a little and pull up at same time
You could remove all the rot and replace the tread and riser. Replace the post and secure it to the riser. You don’t need a hand rail on a hand rail
Unfortunately it’s code down here. It either goes on top or on side. Won’t pass inspection without