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Discussion Forum

Porch Header Rot

Tulsabug | Posted in General Discussion on November 15, 2021 11:37pm

So we’re replacing our roof (shake, shingle, shingle) by taking it down to the firring strips and then sheathing the whole roof and shingles from there (and underlayment, etc., etc.) Unfortunately we had rot in the fascias on our front porch and when tearing into those we found one rotten rafter tail, rot at the end of the header, and a bad post. The rafter tail I’m not worried about as the rot isn’t to the header and the new fascia isn’t going to be attached to the rafter tail but to sistered wood on the side of the tails. The porch is 16′ long approx and the header is 2 x 2x8x16s joined but the rot is only a foot on one far side (where a roof valley leaked and soaked it). The porch roof is on separate rafters from the main roof – they are attached to the main rafters which themselves terminate on an exterior wall but the porch rafters are only attached halfway up the main rafters and at a different angle for the porch, if that makes sense, and don’t use that load bearing wall as support – only the porch header and posts. I’m not sure if the rot extends into the 2nd 2×8 on the header or just is in the front one but I assume the rot is all the way through. So – our question – does the entire header need to be replaced or can it be cut in half and two new 2x8x8s added for the half that has rot (so each 2x8x8 will have post supports – there are 5 posts in those 16′). I’m not trying to dodge work or find a sketchy workaround – I just want to make sure I’m not doing more work if it’s not necessary as this is currently holding up getting to the roofing part of this project.

Thank you all for the help – this is a great forum!

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  1. catmandeux | Nov 16, 2021 08:47am | #1

    I would just cut out the rotted part of the beam and replace that section. Make the cut on the center of the posts, so that ends of both the existing and replacement sections are supported at a post.
    If the rot extends into both of the 2x8 beam parts, stagger the joints so that the cuts are on different posts.

  2. calvin | Nov 16, 2021 08:54am | #2

    Greetings,
    If I was hired to do this job I’d probably replace the entire beam. Is there any problem with working around the finish material of that porch ceiling?

    If confident in just replacing some of the beam, I would probably not just cut the beam in half. I would lap the joint in this patch, not break both pcs on the same post.

    Edit: sorry, phone call mid reply. Not for a job as I’m retired. Golf……

  3. Tulsabug | Nov 22, 2021 10:42am | #3

    Okay - I did more tearing down to see exactly the condition of the header and the situation changed a bit. The rot on the end of the header isn't as bad as thought and only goes a little way into the outside board of the header. We scraped out loose wood, applied wood hardener and then will use wood filler to rebuild the bad spot. Unfortunately - after taking a decorative piece of trim that was nailed to the outside of the header we found a bad patch of rot on the other end of the porch. This rot is bad and pretty much wiped out the lower half of the outside board of the header over a 16-18" section. The back board of the header however is totally untouched. So - we're going to take catmandeux's suggestion and replace an 8 foot section of the front board of the header. It will be supported by 3 posts and the remaining original half will still be supported by 3 posts also while the back piece of the header is still supported by all 6 posts. If this was a main roof area I would certainly replace the whole thing but I'm confident this will be fine for the porch especially since it's such a mild slope and it will certainly be more sturdy than it currently is. The pic I've attached is marked where the rot is and red line to redline is where I'll be replacing the header. So - off to go buy more lumber!

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