Thread: Replacing Patio Supports/Posts End a Problem.

Ive got a back patio thanks to the last owner, however, he used an old laundry building to support two of the uprights/posts. Im removing the old laundry, hence a problem of replacing the two uprights has evolved.
I can remove part of the laundry and put in one support at 5m (10m long roof line), replacing one support. The end support is the problem.
Posted is a picture of the whole line and the problem end support.

I cannot get a new/temporary support in place without the laundry being removed.
How do I do it without it all coming down?
A sleeve was one option into the 50 x 100mm tube 'top plate/bearer' and then put a support under the sleeve...however theirs no such thing as 44 x 90mm sleeve......
Also is a support either end and one in the middle enough for a 10m span?
Help.........

Originally Posted by Earthling#44-9a

I cannot get a new/temporary support in place without the laundry being removed.
How do I do it without it all coming down?
A sleeve was one option into the 50 x 100mm tube 'top plate/bearer' and then put a support under the sleeve...however theirs no such thing as 44 x 90mm sleeve......
Also is a support either end and one in the middle enough for a 10m span?
Help.........

Well yes you can put in a temporary support. You could just put a couple of supports at an angle under that overhang of the steel beam and angle out to the sides too. Timber would be OK so long as you can fix it securely to that beam. BUT ... you are on the right track with the 'sleeve' idea. All you need to do is to get suitable piece of steel (wall thickness at least the same as the existing beam) or timber (hardwood) to slide into the open end of that 100x50 steel beam so that it clears the wall sufficiently far out to prop down to a good solid plate at the base then prop it securely (remember you need to account for side forces not just the download). This extension piece does not need to be a tight fit in the end, but the closer the better (and you have to remove it so not too tight either). As you prop up from the bottom it will sit tight against the top of the slot anyway.

Whether you can span the 10m with just one centre post would need an onsite inspection IMO - although if you provide some more dimensions of the steel frame components someone on here might be able to help. This is a tricky job for a novice DYIer and has significant safety concerns - if you can I strongly suggest you get an experienced friend to give some advice after seeing it and also have someone to help - at least three so if something is misjudged you might be able to recover without damage to structures or people.

Sketch out what you are planning to do, and get together all the stuff you reckon you need before you start propping and removing posts and wall etc. Temporary work should be left in place for the minimum time needed to get the job done.

Thanks oldboss for the reply.
Some good knowledge their.
Ive thought and looked and thought and researched and thought some more...and a sleeve wont work as I cant get anything thats even remotely the size needed. So...looking at bolting a piece of 75mm square tubing left over from the house restumping onto the side of the bearer with a couple of bolts and then bolting a piece of 150 square pine post to that 75mm extension as a temp support/post.
My mate after some consultation, has in the past used a jack underneath the post to lift the bearer from the laundry wall. I argue that their would be too much pivoting on a wee point for safety? Thoughts?
I would be imediately installing and cementing inplace the new post.

Caveat Emptor, Danger Will Robsinon etc Not a job for a novice - get someone on site who knows what they are doing. There is a lot of weight in that roof!!!

Having said that, you could also look at some acrow props either side of those walls with a small bearer running perpindiular to the wall - holding up the rusty looking bearer.

Make certain that the Acrow props are on solid foundations, and if in doubt put more Acrow props in.

Either way get someone in can give good solid on site advice. Also be prepared to have your new support post go straight in, once you drop those walls you dont want the whole setup sitting there for another couple of weeks waiting for you to dig a hole etc!!!

Check span tables for that 10m span, it is a bit hard tell but that looks like a low gauge steel bearer?