How to Replace a Deck Post | This Old House

Shoring up an old deck with new supports with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva. (See below for a shopping list and tools.) SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor replaced several wooden 4x4 posts that were supporting an exterior deck. The posts, which were not pressure-treated, sat directly on top of concrete piers. They had completely rotted at the bottom due to moisture wicking up through the concrete. Before removing the old posts, Tom & Kevin installed temporary bracing using 2x4's and a sledge hammer. With the deck temporarily supported, they removed the old posts and installed new pressure-treated ones. They also installed a galvanized steel post base at the bottom of each post, eliminating direct contact with the concrete piers. Shopping List for for Replacing a Deck Post: - 2x4s, for making temporary posts - pressure-treated 4x4s, used as posts - pressure-treated 2x4s, to make diagonal braces - metal post base and expansion anchor, used to secure the post to the pier - 3-inch decking screws, used to attach diagonal bracing Tools for Replacing a Deck Post: - hammer - reciprocating saw - pry bar, for pulling nails - hammer drill fitted with 1/2-inch-diameter masonry bit, used to bore anchor holes in concrete piers - impact wrench, for tightening expansion anchors - miter saw - small sledgehammer - impact driver Resources: Pressure-treated 4x4 posts are available in home centers and professional lumberyards. The galvanized steel post bases were manufactured by Simpson Strong-Tie [https://www.strongtie.com/]. The wedge-type concrete anchors were manufactured by RED HEAD Anchoring Systems [http://www.itwredhead.com/]. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House INSIDER to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House: Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter http://bit.ly/AskTOHTwitter Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG http://bit.ly/AskTOHIG For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseWebsite How to Replace a Deck Post | This Old House https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/