At my mum's place, there's a steel post holding up the lintel over a sliding door because the wall next to the door has a box air con in it. However, it's badly rusted at the bottom due to the rain we've been receiving:
How can I repair/reinforce this post?
Any advice appreciated.
Load bearing makes life a bit more difficult.
Replacement of the whole post is probably the best option, but a licensed welder should be able to cut out the bad section and weld in a new piece.
Will need a temporary support post while the work is going on.
Welding in a new piece might not be possible due to local codes, check with local building department/inspector.
You want a license/professional welder, not the guy a few doors down who has a welder has a hobby.
It appears the post is sitting on the block foundation wall and my recommendation is to provide a temporary support and remove this post. cutting it out and trying to weld in place would be very difficult.
It appears like the post is rusted through on the right and if that is the case it may be rusted out all the way up where it is in contact.
So support the wall from the inside a temp wall to hold the weight, remove the post and install a new one.
I use capped or a T plate on posts or a u strap to hold in place and place materials like tar paper / roofing felt or a sill seal under the post to prevent the same from happening again(as fast).
Their may be a nail plate or T plate but some are toe nailed more demo after a temp wall is built to handle the weight will show what will be needed.
