You cut the sq hole with a 4-5" dia diamond blade on a
high speed grinder. You could scrimp and use a blade
on a circular saw. Diamond blades are wonderful and
cur cast iron pipe (!) etc but are $15-25 in 4" and more in 7".
There's a low life composite blade that would last for this
1 job though... mebe $3-7. This is for show. Then drill
JUSt inside the square and slightly outwards. Also cut
an X in the center of the sq to the edges/corners and
drill along these lines. you'll need more than a 6" drill,
if the cement is 4" and it goes into the drill 2". Now, a
hammer breaks the cement, downward. (SAFETY GLASSES!)
Big tedious pain. Leave room for the felt!
Check local advise as I didn't see your location for
the frost line info. the felt also keeps new cement from
touching the lumber. Cement deteriorates wood when
it's 1st wet... but felt also does allow for movement and
slight water protection. It is used all around the post, when
you fill it with cement around the post, but NOT under...
WELL PACKED gravel goes there. Now you know your
job is extremely difficult to do this way, if neigh imposserous...
Not impossible, but your haven't the $ or patience for this.
"Noone" will consider it.
No, do not remove 3 of the 4" of cement. 1" is insufficient.
You would be setting the post in a water cup. And note, the
EDGE of a cement pad is supposed to be beefier. Yours
may be 2" in some center spots.
The steel support atop the pad seems wisest.. But as said,
local info may indicate frost heave issues & structural damage.
As on garden lists, LOCATION sometimes matters. Mention it.
The *right way* is to cut a large hole, dig down as local
codes say. Plant a cement pad for support. Refill and
patch. Tie the patch to the existing pad by rebar epoxied
into holes drilled into the patio, sideways. You'll need to
rent a hammer drill. There's a special epoxy for this. But
now your patio looks bad. So top it with pebbles in epoxy.
Alternatively, tile or outdoor carpet. Carpet can be cheap
and temporary. A hole this large means a composite blade
to cut it is insufficient. But as you'll cover the patch, you
can drill and break. to fit the hammer drill in WITH the bit,
measure the length 1st. Code might require a 16" pad,
but your drill might be 22" long, and it needs to fit in,
sideways, to drill the holes. Old timers will say epoxy is
overkill. Maybe. Check local codes. Ask downtown. Oh, extend
an airhose with a 1/4 copper pipe or plastic tube to blow ALL
the cement dust outta the holes.
BillSF9c
No comments:
Post a Comment