Clayton Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Does anyone know what this is? We just moved into this house a few months ago and have been finding some strange things. Can I sand it off and paint it? Please see pics below. Thanks for the advice. Download Attachment: IMG_1110.JPG 1191.92 KB Download Attachment: IMG_1111.JPG 1226.7 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghentjr Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Your second picture is fuzzy but it could be mud from termites. Scrape off the mud and look for little white ant looking bugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 I can see how one might think it's termites.....but, I think it looks like a rusted column; the paint is blistering with rust. Or, it's just blistered. What are the materials? It looks like a steel column, w/vinyl hand and guardrails....is that right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clayton Posted December 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 It is aluminum capping over pressure treated 6x6 lumber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 That's what I thought it was. It's a galvanic reaction between the copper in the pressure treated wood and the aluminum coil. It won't stop until all the aluminum is gone. The fix is to replace the aluminum with vinyl or polyurethane post wraps, or place a barrier coating (tar paper works well) between the metals. This of course means that all the rails need to come down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghentjr Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 My eyes are old! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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