Barn inspected for bugs

I have been doing a lot of work on my old post and beam barn recently. This is how I lifted one corner. I had jack stands under the forks before going to work on it.

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This is eight feet to the left.




. This is where I lifted a plank to get access to the top of a beam in order to spray boric acid solution on the top of it.





This is a shot of where I took up floor boards and a broken beam. and sprayed acid all around the edges.




This is underneath jacking a beam in order to lift a post that bears on the beam way to the right. In the middle of the night I got the idea of fabricating the little I-beam from two pieces of channel stock. I have raised it 5/8 inch so far. It looks like another half inch will bring the exterior up enough.




I was working on the main floor yesterday when I heard a wood pecker nearby. It sounded like it was at my shop. Well, he was under the soffit of the gable end of my old post and beam barn really going to town, and I thought "Oh cra*p I have bugs up there". Well he continued a little then stop and poked around then skipped up a few inches, stopped, then a few more and stopped, then after checking along fifteen feet he flew away. I am hopeful that his search was fruitless.

I like your I beam idea ! Good thinking !

you must have gotten those posts under the jacks very plumb!! don't see any tilt or leaning on the setup!

(quoted from post at 05:06:28 10/25/20) you must have gotten those posts under the jacks very plumb!! don't see any tilt or leaning on the setup!

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Well I tried. I had a pretty strong light set up. My 2 foot level is 45 years old and I have to turn it to the end where the bubble tube covers are missing in order to be able to read it, LOL.

If you just paint old used engine oil on the beams they will not bother them will need to do it a few times to get the oil soaked into the wood. We used to do that all the time along the bottom for the manure to help prevent them from rotting. I suppose lime would have a similar effect on bugs too and could be sprayed on pretty easy.

Woodpeckers will drill "bait" holes to encourage bugs to take up residence.
Then check the out later for dinner day after day.

Having read your posts here before and knowing you are a safety conscience person. I just wanted to make sure that when you put the
hydraulic jack on a post under pressure, you are mindful it may want to kick sideways. I know you said only 5/8s of an inch but that
could be the toughest. just be careful gobble

(quoted from post at 11:36:32 10/25/20) I just wanted to make sure that when you put the
hydraulic jack on a post under pressure, you are mindful it may want to kick sideways.

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That's just asking for a head injury.

(quoted from post at 11:36:32 10/25/20) Having read your posts here before and knowing you are a safety conscience person. I just wanted to make sure that when you put the
hydraulic jack on a post under pressure, you are mindful it may want to kick sideways. I know you said only 5/8s of an inch but that
could be the toughest. just be careful gobble

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tomturkey, please read dependzic's post. I have worn out a few jacks before I got the ones that I have now.

Colin

Colin; I knew you would know about the dangers, was not trying to be the safety police, was just trying to give an unoffensive
reminder. The pictures show you know what you are doing. Get that barn back where it was a 100 years ago, without bugs. gobble
btw; I had not seen depend???? comment when I posted.

(quoted from post at 19:27:28 10/25/20) Colin; I knew you would know about the dangers, was not trying to be the safety police, was just trying to give an unoffensive
reminder. The pictures show you know what you are doing. Get that barn back where it was a 100 years ago, without bugs. gobble
btw; I had not seen depend???? comment when I posted.

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Oh, OK Tom. No offense taken!