[sda10]

I have a sunroom that sits about 10 feet off the ground and one side is supported by four (4) 4x4 posts while the other side is attached to the house. The posts are showing some deterioration and I would like to replace them. I thought about using the basement support jacks and then enclosing them with some vinyl or wood trim. My main question is do I need to replace them with four (4) jacks or could I safely reduce this to three (3)? The sunroom size is about 8 x 16 and of course the posts run along the 16' section.

[21boat]

I thought about using the basement support jacks and then enclosing them with some vinyl or wood trim.

Are these basements jacks just laying around? Or are you buying them.

Not sure how the 4x4 post are integrated into that deck to support the headers. Usually they are bolted in. ( sandwich in ) Or half lapped on 6x6.

So think on the change over to attach the steel posts. Are there concrete pads for the steel posts? Don't want to bury them.

You need to keep the 4 post. If its changed to 3 post then a 6x6 will need to be in place of the 4x4 and the biggest problem is the header spanning that extra distance. There is the big work end of it.

[creahands]

Hi sda10

Are the posts at outside edge of room?

What is size of header/girder post are holding up?

What is location of posts on girder?

What type of roof on sun room?

If answer these questions, we will be able to help u better.

Good luck

Chuck

[sda10]

yes, the posts are at the outside of room. It looks like a 4x4 header that these posts are holding up. The sun room has sliding glass doors, about 4 of them. 1 on each side and two on the back part of the room. Which are located over the 4 posts. The posts are sitting on a concrete slab at the edge of the slab. The sun room has a shingle roof and is tied into the house roof. I was planning on buying the jacks. And it doesn't appear that the 4x4 posts are bolted or nailed into anything.

[creahands]

With that size header (4x4) u will not be able to eliminate a 4x4 post.

Have u thought of putting in lolly columns instead of house jacks.

New posts should be put in same location as existing.

Chuck

[ballengerb1]

I wish we could see what you see. Are the current 4x4s on the ground or down into the ground with a cement pour. What would be under the jacks if you did install them, they can't sit on the ground. You might call your local building department because that room probably had a permit and they may want to weigh in on this. Are the current 4x4s pressure treated?

[sabrewolfe]

You need to replace the four load bearing posts with four load bearing supports no matter if they are wooden posts or jacks. The deck is probably designed to be a suitable foundation for the sunroom. Making alterations to it is a bad idea. And your local building codes will probably not allow it.

[creahands]

The 2 sliding glass doors that are over post,what do they lead to? Space or outside deck?

If u use steel lolly columns, they can be bolted to header and concrete. The measurements would have to be exact so as not to twist upper structure.

Chuck