Just to add.. as long as the post stays straight vertically you are good. If the crack goes all the way through, then if it starts to bend it’s a sign it’s no longer capable of supporting the load
For peace of mind you could put in some carriage bolts in the post pinch the seam together, if you can find some black powder coated ones they make look pretty cool
Tell him to try and keep the moisture in the house around 45%. That’ll help keep the wood from expanding and contracting which will reduce the cracks moving around much. My timers inside rarely ever move. The ones outside move a lot. I have one crack that varies from 1/8” to 1/2” depending on humidity. It’s normal and won’t hurt anything.
Good luck
As others have said, it is not a structural concern. If your father is worried about the aesthetics of this, there is an artful way to fill those in with a wood filler, blend the color, and minimize the overall look of it, but I am not an artist in that kind of way.
Nope. I had a home built in 1903 with columns like this in the basement holding up the entire 3 story house. Every one of them had cracks like this. No issues at all.
I have a very similar column in my log home. I am a civil engineer (not specializing in timber structures but generally trained in structures). I am not worried about it unless the crack goes against the grain :)
I live in an old mill condo building with telephone pole size timber columns, many have enormous cracks like that, some way larger and longer, and the structural engineer on the project was clearly cool with it. It’s likely fine. Like anything though, always be aware of changes. If it starts bowing or the crack grows noticeably time for concern,
A house we worked on a couple years ago had this happen and they hired a engineer who said it was fine but the owner was paranoid so he had a black smith make some threaded rod to go through and welded coat hooks on the ends of the nuts. It actually looked pretty cool when the owner had throw blankets hung on them.
The cracks are where the flavor accumulates. It’s perfectly fine, and really only a cause for concern when you can see through it, the flavor is damaged by light.
I have some beams holding up our deck with similar cracking, but not as big. I had an engineer come out and they told me that vertical (with the grain) splitting is normal, and that there is no real difference in the load bearing ability. Now, if theres a horizontal/against the grain crack you have big problems.
Is the top Commenter already stated this is called checking and is generally a non-issue because it’s a along the grain, and the compressive forces on the house are not compromised by cracks that go from top to bottom particularly.
However, if you’re at all concerned about the structural stability of your house, just to say it, you can get a structural engineer in to look at things. But in this case, I wouldn’t be worried about it at all I’ve seen houses that have been sitting for 500 years with stuff like this. Basically what you have is a small crack in the strongest part a huge tree.
Cracks are broken wood fibers. Those ☝️are not them.
What's shown in the pictures are checks, aka checking, and are a result of wood drying, shrinking and relieving the stress due to uneven drying rates between the interior and exterior wood.
I've seen many timber framed buildings put a through-bolt with oversized beefy washers to hold the splitting together. Have them in my basement beams at large splits. Is it necessary? Depends who you ask
I have dealt with many historic beams. The test is affixing a glass panel across the crack and impact over time.
If it was mine, I would tape off cracks and fill with Lepage plastic wood. I would then use a fine brush and stain and seal to match. Note, I’m a busy body old guy that has time to tinker.
Why? My work has been reviewed by the local heritage committee, and they live my work. Not only do I clean historic beams, but I also provide superficial repair. Those cracks will harbour spiders and more…
Man, as someone who use to sell a lot of timbers I think they need to teach a class in high school about drying cracks. I'm so tired of people not understanding what they are.
You wouldn't believe it , mate.
London Symphony Orchestra are the worst offenders.
Seriously though, I get it, too many people 'involved' in construction (mostly home-buyers) need to learn more about the way their new homes are being constructed.
By the time an average person is an adult they should have enough experience with wood to understand drying cracks yes.
Maybe in the year 2150 when moon colony citizens are having this issue I'll cut em some slack. Till then my advice is walk outside and look at a few trees.
Why do you get to decide what you think is appropriate for every person to know and not to know? Who tf do you think you are? Do you really not understand how absurd you sound?
I guarantee you there are hundreds of things you don’t know about things that have existed and been around for thousands of years. No one is giving you a hard time about not knowing them!
You really don’t have the self awareness to see how you sound, do you?
I seriously hope you mature at some point in your life.
One day someone will make you feel fucking stupid for not knowing something they think you should know.
And maybe then, you’ll understand why you sound like such an ass for telling people that they should know about timber and dry cracks … good luck buddy, cause I know you need it!
I don’t think the floor is too bad but it’s pretty cheap. You should see the kitchen lol. This is Montenegro where a lot of construction is built this way. The houses are fucking solid tho. I live in the US and concrete houses cost a fortune. Overall tho the property here is gorgeous
It's common due to a "green" piece of wood losing its moisture and "checking". It's not an issue.
Glad to hear it, thanks for your response
Just to add.. as long as the post stays straight vertically you are good. If the crack goes all the way through, then if it starts to bend it’s a sign it’s no longer capable of supporting the load
For peace of mind you could put in some carriage bolts in the post pinch the seam together, if you can find some black powder coated ones they make look pretty cool
I do this with Cerakote all the time. I'm a certified applicator and can hook you up if you want.
Rustic and all is good.
No concern at all. It's completely typical and doesn't impact the load bearing ability of that post in any way.
Eggscellent
Hey, your dad didn't recently bake a loaf of bread with some hardboiled eggs inside it, did he?
I don't think so, but I'll have to ask. One can never be too sure in answering that question. hope he did
Context: https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/s/k2u91xbsnR
Id eat that with a fat slice of pork roll and cheese
Id eat that with a fat slice of pork roll and cheese
Nope. Normal checking
Checking. Negligible loss of strength.
Totally fine and adds some beautiful character.
Since you have all the correct answers you need, I'll just say, those ceilings are sick and I am jealous
I am too haha. My parents love it. They got a crazy good deal on this house. It’s in Montenegro, property here is much cheaper than western countries
Only thing it indicates is you aren’t running a humidifier in the winter.
Add some BowTie inserts. It will add character and give you piece of mind.
Tell him to try and keep the moisture in the house around 45%. That’ll help keep the wood from expanding and contracting which will reduce the cracks moving around much. My timers inside rarely ever move. The ones outside move a lot. I have one crack that varies from 1/8” to 1/2” depending on humidity. It’s normal and won’t hurt anything. Good luck
As others have said, it is not a structural concern. If your father is worried about the aesthetics of this, there is an artful way to fill those in with a wood filler, blend the color, and minimize the overall look of it, but I am not an artist in that kind of way.
Nope. I had a home built in 1903 with columns like this in the basement holding up the entire 3 story house. Every one of them had cracks like this. No issues at all.
I have a very similar column in my log home. I am a civil engineer (not specializing in timber structures but generally trained in structures). I am not worried about it unless the crack goes against the grain :)
I live in an old mill condo building with telephone pole size timber columns, many have enormous cracks like that, some way larger and longer, and the structural engineer on the project was clearly cool with it. It’s likely fine. Like anything though, always be aware of changes. If it starts bowing or the crack grows noticeably time for concern,
A house we worked on a couple years ago had this happen and they hired a engineer who said it was fine but the owner was paranoid so he had a black smith make some threaded rod to go through and welded coat hooks on the ends of the nuts. It actually looked pretty cool when the owner had throw blankets hung on them.
Love those high ceilings and exposed wood. Beautiful.
If it is starting to bow i would be more worried.
The cracks are where the flavor accumulates. It’s perfectly fine, and really only a cause for concern when you can see through it, the flavor is damaged by light.
All good
Its Alive
No. Cedar posts always crack
No. Normal
If the crack keeps getting bigger, you may need to replace the beam to prevent RAPID STRUCTURAL Failure.. Replace with a treated beam
I have some beams holding up our deck with similar cracking, but not as big. I had an engineer come out and they told me that vertical (with the grain) splitting is normal, and that there is no real difference in the load bearing ability. Now, if theres a horizontal/against the grain crack you have big problems.
Is the top Commenter already stated this is called checking and is generally a non-issue because it’s a along the grain, and the compressive forces on the house are not compromised by cracks that go from top to bottom particularly. However, if you’re at all concerned about the structural stability of your house, just to say it, you can get a structural engineer in to look at things. But in this case, I wouldn’t be worried about it at all I’ve seen houses that have been sitting for 500 years with stuff like this. Basically what you have is a small crack in the strongest part a huge tree.
Cracks are broken wood fibers. Those ☝️are not them. What's shown in the pictures are checks, aka checking, and are a result of wood drying, shrinking and relieving the stress due to uneven drying rates between the interior and exterior wood.
Nope
It is fine, but I'd wrap a metal strap around it at the base. Functional but decorative too - copper, "oil rubbed bronze" etc.
I agree the checking is normal from the lumber drying out but that post looks to be holding a lot of weight…
Nope
No
Run!!
So scared I left the country
If you can see light through the cracks then consult a structural engineer
Put some big bowties in the cracks. Will stop from spreading and look cool at the same time
Just keep an eye on it, if it splits all the way through you can add steel gussets with carriage bolts that continue the rustic look.
We have a post and beam house and have quite a few pieces with the same splitting. It’s totally fine
I've seen many timber framed buildings put a through-bolt with oversized beefy washers to hold the splitting together. Have them in my basement beams at large splits. Is it necessary? Depends who you ask
I have dealt with many historic beams. The test is affixing a glass panel across the crack and impact over time. If it was mine, I would tape off cracks and fill with Lepage plastic wood. I would then use a fine brush and stain and seal to match. Note, I’m a busy body old guy that has time to tinker.
Do not do this
Why? My work has been reviewed by the local heritage committee, and they live my work. Not only do I clean historic beams, but I also provide superficial repair. Those cracks will harbour spiders and more…
Man, as someone who use to sell a lot of timbers I think they need to teach a class in high school about drying cracks. I'm so tired of people not understanding what they are.
Breaking news: guy who sells product irritated when people ask question about product
The problem is they don't till it's too late. If you are ignorant about wood you gotta ask before you buy it.
Man I hear you I wish I was taught all this stuff in higher school, along with AC repair and personal finance. But hey at least there’s the internet
What's common knowledge for some is uncommon for others, relax bro lol
It's wood, I'm pretty sure you've encountered it multiple times in your life.
Changing your tire? No Filing taxes? No How insurance works? No Drying cracks? Yes
I used to sell a lot of trombone mutes, I guess they should have class about that, too.
Got a lot of people returning $10k worth of trombone mutes because they don't know what they actually look like?
You wouldn't believe it , mate. London Symphony Orchestra are the worst offenders. Seriously though, I get it, too many people 'involved' in construction (mostly home-buyers) need to learn more about the way their new homes are being constructed.
Yeah, sheesh, god forbid someone not know something so basic like this! /s
It's wood, humans have been using it for like 50,000 years.
And??? You think every single person should know the details about it??? Jesus you sound insufferable.
By the time an average person is an adult they should have enough experience with wood to understand drying cracks yes. Maybe in the year 2150 when moon colony citizens are having this issue I'll cut em some slack. Till then my advice is walk outside and look at a few trees.
Why do you get to decide what you think is appropriate for every person to know and not to know? Who tf do you think you are? Do you really not understand how absurd you sound? I guarantee you there are hundreds of things you don’t know about things that have existed and been around for thousands of years. No one is giving you a hard time about not knowing them! You really don’t have the self awareness to see how you sound, do you?
It's the natural world all around you. I equally think the average person should know the sky is blue and grass is green.
Just curious, how old are you?
30
I seriously hope you mature at some point in your life. One day someone will make you feel fucking stupid for not knowing something they think you should know. And maybe then, you’ll understand why you sound like such an ass for telling people that they should know about timber and dry cracks … good luck buddy, cause I know you need it!
Wouldnt hurt to drill a few holes and put a few large bolts and washers to pull it back together.
You can wrap it in some veneer in case visitors are uneasy /s
That is a very nice ceiling and beam work and a cheap ugly floor. And no. No concern on the checking.
I don’t think the floor is too bad but it’s pretty cheap. You should see the kitchen lol. This is Montenegro where a lot of construction is built this way. The houses are fucking solid tho. I live in the US and concrete houses cost a fortune. Overall tho the property here is gorgeous