What would cause this?

[Sean Fogarty]

There was not other visible signs of settlment anywhere. You would think if the front porch slab settled it would show up at the edges or where it was poured against the brick veneer. But nothing else showed any signs or symptoms. I know its not load bearing but it sure is strange.

[Robert Manley]

Had similar posts on a home only the base was loose. They would flop around and bang against like a metal rod on the interior, but they were hollow. No sagging of the porch roof or structure. Two of the three were loose and floppy at the base. These were the only ones I have ever seen like it!! they looked like standard 4X posts, but were hollow!! Seen other decorative posts like it though!

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Pictures. Far back, top of post, bottom of post.


Since there's (I'll call it) capping on the bottom of the beam that is continuous, and that capping runs between the top of the post and the covered beam, then the post is decorative. Think about it. If the post was load-bearing, that capping wouldn't be in between the two load-path components. It would have been cut around it.

An inspection tip: Check for a line where the top of the concrete porch pour was. It may be very faint, but it'll be there. And it'll indicate that the concrete porch settled, and took the decorative post with it.

Yeah?

Here's a typical series of pics I take of a porch. Far away pics, with a few close-ups. Digital pictures are free. And so, the more the better.
Attachment 40251 Attachment 40253 Attachment 40254 Attachment 40255 Attachment 40256
(actually there's more pics, but we're limited to 5 on the message board.)

Dom often comments that I use more pictures than almost all so I would love to see one of your report samples if you are still a working inspector.