Sunday, July 1, 2012

Staying Put and a Problem with the Pole Barn

I didn't get the job that I applied for in Utah.  They had over 200 applications for this job. I was in the top 10.  Close but no cigar.  The job I have now will continue to be my job, but I am still looking for another job.  It's not that I don't like where I work, I do, but the state pays so little (don't be fooled by those stories about overpaid and underworked state employees - in MOST cases it's not true) and we just got hit with another pay cut.  There's one job that's pretty local that I really want.  It won't be available for another 6 months or so but it pays about 40% more than I make now.  This company wants me for the position.  So perhaps not getting the Utah job was to make sure I was around for this local job.  We'll see.  I was looking forward to driving to Utah for the interview and then stopping by some of the preparedness stores on the way home.  It just wasn't meant to be.

We are getting another pay cut starting today.  My paycheck is going to be about $300 a month less.  I'll still be able to pay my bills but the prepping with money is going to come to a screeching halt.  That's ok because I have a great big list of projects to do that don't require money since I have most of the materials.  Except one.  I was out in the big barn today...it's a 24X48 pole barn.  One of the poles has been eaten away right about ground level.  On a pole barn, every pole is necessary.  This is not good.  I'm going to have to figure out how to fix this.  I may have to dig a hole next to this pole and just put a new pole next to it.  It's definitely something that I can't do on my own.  Any pole barn experts out there who can give me some hints? 

4 comments:

  1. I'm not a barn expert, but I've fixed a house and a few fences. I would assume the pole is eaten through by termites, correct? With our fences we have been replacing the post with metal posts. I'm wondering if you can sandwich the rotten pole with metal posts that are cemented in and bolt through to support the rotten pole.

    This something I'm sure can be fixed.

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  2. Maybe you could lay bricks, as a makeshift socket, under the pole to firm it up?

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  3. Can you support the barn with temporary posts and bottle jacks on both sides and then replace the bad post? This is how I replaced the posts on the front of my house, worked great for me but I don't know what your barn looks like so it's hard to guess.

    Sorry you are getting another pay cut that really sucks. Maybe fate played a role in keeping you for the possible upcoming job, time will tell.

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  4. I agree with Max, Carefully support the floor above and cut the post at a level high enough above ground to allow you room to work. Remove the rotten post and widen the hole enough to place the new pole in the hole, if necessary place a hardwood board (oak to fill the gap between the two post sections, lower weight of upper post on new post and brace the repair with two wood or steel scabs on opposite sides of the post.

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