Since steel columns have to be carefully made in order to fulfill their role, we have a list of two simple, but common, defects that can sometimes be found.
Less Than 3-Inch Diameter – There is a serious safety risk if these items are not manufactured correctly so the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) has a section on columns which suggests that they should never be less than three inches in diameter.
While we are not code enforcers, if a pole is found to be smaller than this, it violates the IRC. Ultimately, the strength of a pole has to be tested by structural engineers as a two and a half inch pole could be strong enough to provide support while a four inch pole could crumble under weight.
No Rust-Inhibitive Paint – Furthermore, the same section of the IRC also says that all surfaces should be coated with rust-inhibitive paint and this includes the inside. However, this does not stay true for corrosion-resistant steel as this will already have a coating for corrosion resistance. For the inspectors, there is no way to tell if the paint has been applied and in some dry climates may not even be required. When rust is visible, this will be a defect,maintenance item depending on what else is found.
