Beginner’s Guide to Porch Repair
- Inspect Damage. The first step is to look for damages. Identify what needs to be repaired and make notes. ...
- Clean Up. Washing the porch is an essential part of the repair. ...
- Sanding the Porch. You can sand your porch using a belt sander, palm sander, or a sanding sponge. ...
- Oiling or Staining the Porch. This is the final step to repairing a porch. ...
How to refinish a porch?
Stain the Deck
- Begin by applying stain or sealant to handrails using a paintbrush, starting at the top and working down to the deck surface. ...
- Use a natural-bristle paintbrush to apply oil-based products and a synthetic-bristle brush to apply water-based stains.
- Then stain or seal the surface decking boards with a flat paint-pad applicator. ...
How to restore a porch?
Steps for Restoring a Deck
- Making Repairs. Use a pry bar to pull damaged boards. ...
- Cleaning the Surface. Trim the replacement boards with a circular saw. ...
- Applying the Stain. Mesh filters (about $1 each) catch any particles that could wind up clogging the nozzle on the washer.
- Redoing a Railing. ...
How to renovate a porch?
- Remodeling a front porch: 6 types to choose from. Any front porch must address your needs. ...
- Basic timeline. Choose the type of front porch remodel you’ll do by asking yourself a few questions. ...
- Permits and restrictions. Most communities require you to obtain a building permit for any substantial modification to your porch.
- Cost to remodel a front porch. ...
How can I remove an old concrete porch?
Things You'll Need
- 8-pound sledge hammer
- Cold chisel
- Small sledge hammer to drive the chisel
- 4-inch diamond blade to make shallow cuts in concrete
- Hammer drill with a carbide masonry bit for drilling a series of holes to weaken the concrete, so you can break them with a sledge hammer
- Safety glasses
- Ear protection
- Dust mask
How do you repair a rotten porch?
5 Steps to Repair Wood RotGather tools and materials.Remove rotten boards Use a 5-in-1 rasp, chisel, or claw hammer to remove the rotted areas of wood. ... Apply wood hardener, filler, or epoxy If minor damaged wood cannot be easily replaced, wood hardener, filler or epoxy may help strengthen the damaged area.More items...•
How do you repair a rotted porch floor?
How to Fix a Rotten Wood Porch FloorSet the Cutting Depth. Set the cutting depth of a circular saw to the thickness of one of the porch flooring boards, instructs This Old House. ... Pry Up the Center Piece. ... Pry the Rest of the Boards. ... Remove the Joists. ... Cut New Joists. ... Install New Floorboards. ... Add Your Finishing Touches.
How much does it cost to rebuild a front porch?
Costs depend on factors like size and complexity, and vary region to region. A small and basic do-it-yourself porch project can cost about $5,000 to $10,000, but the budget for even a small porch project can go up quickly when lots of extras are included.
How do you repair a concrete porch?
Step 1: Remove the Loose Concrete. Remove any damaged or crumbling concrete. ... Step 2: Clean the Concrete. ... Step 3: Position the Concrete Patch Form. ... Step 4: Mix the Concrete Crack Sealer. ... Step 5: Smooth the Concrete Patch. ... Step 6: Finish the Patch. ... Step 1: Clean the Concrete. ... Step 2: Create a Concrete Repair Form.More items...
What is the best material for a porch floor?
While natural fir is the traditional choice for a porch floor, good wood alternatives include cedar, mahogany and Brazilian Ipe. You can add interest and texture to your porch floor by mixing woods or laying boards in a creative pattern.
What kind of wood do you use for a porch?
Exterior porch columns installed in environments with moist weather benefit from weather-resistant wood. Cedar, redwood and cypress contain natural oils to repel insects and moisture. Redwood tops the list for beauty and cost. The natural straight grain of redwood is strong and durable.
How much is a replacement porch?
The average cost to replace a porch is between $15,500 and $36,000, depending on the size, materials, and porch type.
How much does it cost to fix a broken porch?
Porch and deck repair costs Costs for this job vary widely depending on the type of porch and the extent of the problem. A simple wood deck repair can start from around $100*, while complex repairs can cost $500* or more. Concrete porch repair tends to be more costly due to the skills and equipment required.
How much does it cost to replace a wood front porch?
The cost to build a 200-square-foot covered porch ranges from $4,600 to $22,000, or $10,500 on average. You can expect to pay $23 to $110 per square foot. The total includes flooring, steps, posts, railing, roofing, and more.
How do you repair a crumbling concrete porch?
How to Fix a Crumbling Concrete Porch (and Tips for Preventing It From Happening Again)Solve Your Drainage Issues (Quickly) ... Consider If It's Just General Wear and Tear. ... Power Wash Your Porch (Then Keep Doing It Regularly) ... Seal Any Holes, Then Add A Layer of Concrete Paint. ... Reinforce Your Concrete Porch With A Steel Dowel.More items...•
Can you concrete over old concrete?
You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.
Can crumbling concrete be repaired?
You can repair and resurface your spalled concrete in any number of ways. You can buy products that apply a very thin coating on the concrete. The larger premixed bagged concrete manufacturers make these, as do some other specialty companies.
How do you replace porch floor boards?
2:406:50How to Replace a Broken Front Porch Board | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right I went to the lumberyard. And I picked up a piece of one by four and I cut it to theMoreAll right I went to the lumberyard. And I picked up a piece of one by four and I cut it to the lengths to match the rest of the boards. Now let me show you what we have here.
How do you support a porch floor?
1:444:49How to Raise and Level Sinking Front Porch Deck Handy Manny - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I could stack some a concrete block just these half concrete block cubes this is 8 inch by 8 inchMoreSo I could stack some a concrete block just these half concrete block cubes this is 8 inch by 8 inch by 8 inch those blocks are a dollar 50 apiece. The the paver block.
How do you replace a tongue and groove porch?
5:428:00How To Replace Tongue and Groove Porch Boards - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSide by side on both ends. And once you have them. And once you have your cuts in place on both endsMoreSide by side on both ends. And once you have them. And once you have your cuts in place on both ends then put a screw into one of the boards. And then use your hammer.
How do you fix rotting wood post without replacing it?
Wood fillers are products such as Bondo and Minwax that are designed to be all-purpose fillers for gaps, holes, and rotted wood. Their application is simple, they cure quickly, and they're not supposed to shrink once dry.
How long does a porch repair last?
If properly mixed and completed with care, the porch repair should blend in well and last for years to come.
What is the most popular material for porches?
To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Concrete is one of the most popular materials used to make porches because it is sturdy, and although concrete is naturally very solid it can develop ...
Why is concrete used for porches?
Concrete is one of the most popular materials used to make porches because it is sturdy, and although concrete is naturally very solid it can develop cracks, holes, and broken edges . Concrete can become damaged because of poor installation combined with temperature changes and moisture, and these problems are not always initially apparent ...
Can you repair a cracked concrete porch?
Repairing broken edges, holes, and cracks in concrete is easier than most people realize, and it is possible to repair the damage and make a porch look almost as good as new.
Can you fix a porch landing that breaks off?
The edges of porch landings and stair steps sometimes break off for no apparent reason, and in many cases, the missing pieces are found on the ground. When the pieces can be located they are very easy to reattach if they have not completely crumbled. With careful preparation and placement, the repair to the porch will be unapparent.
Can you repair a broken edge on a cement porch?
The broken pieces are not required since newly mixed cement will be used to repair the porch. To repair a large broken edge on a cement porch you will need a steel dowel rod several inches in length, a masonry drill bit, an electric drill, a wire brush, and a strong shop vacuum.
What kind of fir is used for porch decking?
Photo by Kolin Smith. Vertical—grain Douglas fir is widely used for porch decking because it's fairly rot- and dent-resistant, easy to work, and stable, so it holds paint well. When this porch deck was laid, boards of clear, quartersawn Douglas fir were readily available.
Where is Ken Brown's porch?
More than a century of blowing snow, dripping rain, and the steady tread of foot traffic had finally taken its toll on the flooring of Ken Brown's porch in Montclair, New Jersey. Despite its well-maintained coat of paint, the old fir decking had become soft and splintered along the exposed edge just above the steps.
How to clean scratches from a belt sander?
Then, switch to a random-orbit sander with 100-grit paper and smooth away the belt sander scratches. Vacuum up the sawdust, wipe the wood with a tack cloth, and brush on a matching oil-based deck paint.
Repair or Replace Your Wood Porch Columns the Easy Way
Knowing how to repair porch columns (or replace a porch column) can save you lots of money and prevent damage to your porch and home. It is easier than you might think and can be done fairly quickly.
Repair Porch Columns Using Wood Restoration Kits to Save Time and Money
Wood restoration kits are an excellent way to repair porch columns (and other rotted or decayed wood structures) without removing the column itself. You can even use some of these products for structural repairs too.
How to Repair Porch Columns the Easy Way
We'll show you how to remove and repair a decayed porch column or for replacing one. Depending on your skills, time available, or budget, you might want to consider each option. Sometimes, it is best to just replace the column; the process is the same.
Tools and Materials
- Safety glasses
- Chisel
- Mallet or Hammer
- Trowel
Step 1 – Preparations
- Prepare all materials completely to avoid having to stop the work at any time. Determine which bricks need to be replaced. Purchase bricks of the same color and texture from a masonry supply store. Purchase other needed materials as well including mortar mix. Be sure to get one that is intended for brickwork. A pre-mixed mortar is a good recommendation if it is your first time. Port…
Step 2 – Remove The Damaged Bricks
- Wear safety glasses to protect the eyes from flying chunks of debris. Use a chisel and a hammer or mallet to remove the mortar around the damaged brick. Strike the brick with the same hammer and chisel to break it down. Remove every piece of the crumbled brick away from the porch. Chip off any remaining mortar from the hole. Clean off the pieces of...
Step 3 – Mix The Mortar
- Place the mortar in the bucket, but leave some in the bag in case too much water is added to the mix. Add water in small quantities at a time while mixing it carefully with a trowel. Add more water until a mud-like consistency similar to that of peanut butter is achieved. If unsure about how consistent the mortar should be, follow the recommended water and mortar proportions in the b…
Step 4 – Apply The Mortar
- Using a trowel, spread about ½ inch or the mortar mix onto the hole bed. Position the brick into the empty slot. If the brick is not level with the others, remove it temporarily and add more mortar into the hole bed until it allows the brick to become level with the surrounding surface. Center the brick so that the sides are evenly spaced from the other bricks in the porch. Carefully add morta…