DIY Network

1915 Row-House Restoration: Front Porch Repair From "Restoration Realities" episode DRTR-204

(Continued from page 1)

The porch roof has separated from the brick.

Project #1: Porch Roof Repair

In this first project, Restoration Realities host Bill Click helps homeowner Amanda Pike repair the porch roof that has begun to sag and separate from the face of the building. Measurements confirm that the porch had dropped a full inch on the left side. The project will require removing the metal box beam, then assessing for the extent of the repair. Following is a list of materials and a general outline of the steps in the front-porch roof repair as shown in the demonstration.

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Materials:

treated wood materials for replacement (as needed)
2x4x10' (10)
2x6x14' (6)
16d galvanized finish nails
12d galvanized finish nails
10d galvanized finish nails
16d galvanized framing nails
8d galvanized framing nails
3/8" x 5" galvanized lag-bolts with washers
5/8" lead sleeve anchors

Tools:

pry bars
finish or smooth-face hammer
20-foot extension ladder
six foot fiberglass ladders (2)
saw horses
air compressor (optional)
pneumatic air-nailer (optional)
10" table saw (optional)
10" or 12" power miter-saw (optional)
4' level
chalk line
framing square
carpenter pencils
reciprocating saw or sawsall
extension cords
circular saw
1/2" VSR drill and or hammer drill
cordless screw driver
socket wrench set
drop cloths

	Figure A
	Figure B

Roof Inspection and Bracing

• Start by accessing the roof deck via ladder or second floor window. Measure down to a fixed point on either the masonry or porch deck. Compare to the other side and calculate the drop.

• At this time we also need to address the possible water damage or "ponding" that is evident on the roof. In this case, it looked like a new membrane has been added to this one within the past ten years.

• To begin repairs, carefully remove the components that surround the beam that is let-in to the masonry at the house (figure A ). Store the removed elements where they cannot be damaged.

• Clear away any debris from inside box beam (figure B ). (In our case, a bird had built a nest inside the structure!)
  

• Create braces using 2x6's to reach the ground to the bottom of the beam (figures C, D and E ).

• Once the structure is braced, carefully remove any rotted or damaged pieces.

  Figure C

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  
  
  

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  RELATED PROJECTS: 1885 Victorian Porch-Repair: Introduction Victorian Porch-Repair: Decorative Porch Brackets Victorian Porch-Repair: Restoring Wood Shutters Victorian Porch-Repair: Finishing Touches 1919 Washington Row-House Restoration: Introduction 1919 Row-House: Antique Glass for Library Bookshelves 1919 Washington Row-House: Wooden Porch-Lattice 1919 Washington Row-House: Finishing Touches and Recap

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	1915 Row-House Restoration: Front Porch Repair
  	1915 Row-House Restoration: Resurrecting Old Transoms