Porches are vulnerable to the sneaky effects of many types of weather, including pelting rain, blazing sun, wind-driven snow, and excessive humidity. The essential components of a porch—the floors, framework, posts, railings, and decorative elements—will quickly deteriorate if they are not kept in good repair using water-resistant materials and sparingly applied coats of paint. With solid footings comes a good porch. While the first porches were constructed on substantial stones buried down in the ground or on entire masonry piers made of fieldstone or brick, modern building rules require concrete footers.
Step By Step Instructions Of Fixing A Sagging Porch
Older houses often have sagging porch lines. This frequently happens as a result of subpar or nonexistent foundation work. The porch sags in the center as a result of old-fashioned wooden pier-style supports that rot out or sink with time. To replace rotted or damaged porch supports, certain items are used. These pads, often referred to as concrete deck footings, have an area of 12 inches square and a precast 4-by-4 hole in the center to accommodate a pressure-treated beam. For levelling a sagging deck, they are ideal.
- Place One High-lift Jack Underneath The Horizontal Support Beam
Put a high-lift jack under each horizontal support beam on each side of the sagging porch line's lowest point. The porch line should seem level when viewed from a distance after evenly pumping both jack handles. - Evenly Pump Both Jack Handles Until The Horizontal Beam's Sag Is Inverted Upward
Pump equally on both handles until the horizontal beam's sag is inverted upward, or 1-inch higher than necessary. This will allow for some settling when the porch has been lowered once more. - Install One Precast Concrete Deck Footing
In the area where the porch was the lowest, install one precast concrete deck footing. Measure from the inside bottom of the 4-by-4 receiving depression on the deck footing to the bottom of the horizontal support beam. - Cut A Pressure-treated Beam To The Required Measurement
Utilizing a motorized miter saw, cut a pressure-treated beam to the required measurement. Insert the beam's end into the footing's receiving divot. Swing the beam's upper end up beneath the deck. Tap it into position with a hammer so that it is vertical underneath the horizontal support beam. - Invert The Two Jacks & Place A 48-inch Level
Invert the two jacks. Along the front of the horizontal beam, place a 48-inch level. If the level shows that the front of the porch is too high, jack it up a little, take out the vertical support beam, and trim 1/2 inch at a time until the front is level. - Check The Porch's Level As You Go Around The Perimeter
Examine the porch's level as you go around the perimeter. Any more unleveled areas should be noted. As long as the porch is level, use the jacks and footings in order to install supports where necessary.