How to Replace Interior Greek Columns With Square Columns

Remove a Greek Column

• 1

  Kneel down, and examine the Greek column where its center shaft meets the base. Cut away caulk in that location with a utility knife. Examine the base for caulk that covers screw holes, and cut it away with the utility knife to expose the screw heads.

• 2

  Remove the screw heads from the floor by using a power drill.

• 3

  Set up a ladder next to the column, and climb to the ladder's top. Cut away caulk along the column's top cap where it meets the ceiling. Examine the top cap for screw holes, and cut the caulk away from them as well.

• 4

  Ask another person or multiple people to grasp the column's center shaft near its bottom and to pull it free from the base. Support the upper portion of the shaft as it detaches from the ceiling cap, and lower it to the floor.

• 5

  Remove the screws that hold the top cap to the ceiling, freeing the cap. Lower the cap to the floor.

Install a Square Column

• 6

  Climb the ladder while carrying the square column's top cap. Hold the top cap against the ceiling where the previous column's top cap was located. Use the power drill to insert the provided screws through the top cap's screw holes and into the ceiling, securing the cap in place.

• 7

  Place the replacement column's base cap on the floor in the exact location of the old base to ensure the column remains straight. If the new base cap's screw holes don't align with the old base cap's screw holes, mark the location with a pencil and then drill pilot holes in the floor using a power drill and 1/2-inch diameter drill bit. Secure the base in place with the provided screws.

• 8

  Measure the distance between the bottom of the top cap and the top of the base cap. Mark that measurement on the square column's shaft, and cut the shaft to that length using a circular saw.

• 9

  Climb up the ladder, and have someone lift the square column while you help to guide it into the top cap.

• 10

  Ask the other person to insert wooden shims under the bottom edge of the shaft until the column shaft fits tightly against the top cap. Insert 1 1/2-inch long nails at a 45 degree angle through the upper portion of the shaft so the nails penetrate the top cap.

• 11

  Cut excess wood shim material by using a hacksaw. Apply caulk at the bottom of the shaft to disguise gaps and the wood shims.