My front porch (brick) has sunk about 3 inches over the past 25 years.

I have had several quotes from companies that install piers (metal and concrete) but repairing this will be expensive. Any suggestions for raising this or would it be cheaper to tear down and rebuild. Has anyone ever used a pier installer and what was your experience?? GGoddard

14 Comments

Amazing Improvements and ... Marietta, GA

George, we have the same isssue. Over time, we used a heavy duty automotive floor jack and raised the porch, sliding pressure treated "spacers" ontop of the existing "piers". It works, it can be shimmed again and its almost "FREE"......

on Nov 11, 2011 · Like 1
Steve G Fort Collins, CO

Interesting idea, Mr. (or Mrs.) Amazing. If that doesn't work, get some quotes for a replacement porch. You already have the estimates for the repair, so it should be an easy comparison. The great thing about replacing is that it can be done right the first time, plus you can make it exactly what you want.

on Nov 14, 2011 · Like 0
Amazing Improvements and ... Marietta, GA

Steve, its the least disruptive approach "if" your porch allows for such. BTW, its Mr. Amazing, but you can skip the formality and just call me "amazin". ;-)

on Nov 15, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

I "over decked" a sinking porch a while back...this this was a monster that had sunk and tipped...we Jokingly called it the Titanic due to its size and the listing.
a deck was built over the top, using the slab as the support. It the slab continues to settle (doubtful on a 50 year old house). it could easily be "adjusted" with blocking..
To "hide" the concrete below redwood lattice was installed around the front and sides
on Nov 15, 2011 · Like 1
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

I would assume your porch is a pre-fab cement one. If this is the case, You can dig up on the sides and as Amazing stated use a auto jack under it to lift up back into place. Once done you need to hold it into place with what ever you have. Then dig under corners and place cement to hold it into place.
If its a brick and mortar porch. You need to take it down and rebuild.

on Nov 15, 2011 · Like 0
Dan's of Central Florida,... Clermont, FL

The auto jack is a great solution. Just wanted to add that you should try to place something like a wood 4x4 between the jack and the porch. This will spread the pressure out along the board instead of it being centered on the jack point itself (which might just lift that spot and crack things).

on Nov 15, 2011 · Like 0
Caroline G New York, NY

if you end up going with a professional, take a look at http://www.TotalHouseHold.com - they have reviews for all types of home improvement contractors in GA (also in NY, NJ, CT, MA and RI) including license information, insurance details and BBB ratings.

on Nov 15, 2011 · Like 0
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

There are several companies such as THH out there. All these companies are is referral mills that contractors pay to get names of people who are tire kicking. Although there are some that do try to do the right thing and offer good leads to those who are willing to pay a lot for them. I have heard nothing but horror stories from people who have used contractors from these sites.
Your best bet is to check out the contractors listed in this site. And follow their advice and ...»
from advice of others that may have used them in the past. Its all free for everyone and you will be surprised at the quality of those who contribute almost every day and their companies.

on Nov 15, 2011 · Like 0
Its Really Concrete, Inc. Marietta, GA

call Precision Lift - Atlanta | they can inject polyurethane to raise the floor yet add little dead weight to the base,,, the problem w/sliding spacers underneath is that the dead weight is now supported by far FEWER square inches - that means it will still continue sinking but at an accelerated rate - engineers call this ' point loading ',,, anecdotal success would seem temporary at best altho the exception may prove the rule - good luck ! ( ps - no financial interest so do as you wish )

on Nov 15, 2011 · Like 0
George G Kennesaw, GA

I must have done a poor job of describing this problem. The front "stoop" is a large, masonry and brick structure. If I place a jack under one side, it would only crack the entire structure. There are about 15 brick steps leading up to the landing at the front door. The whole thing is poured on a concrete slab about 20 feet long and about 5 or 6 feet wide. Only the left corner (at the doorway) is sinking. Ain't no car jack gonna help this!!

on Nov 15, 2011 · Like 0
George G Kennesaw, GA

see my previous notes

on Nov 15, 2011 · Like 0
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

It sounds as though you have a constructed in place porch.
You have a few options. One attempt to mud jack the patio up. This is a process where they drill holes in the patio area that has dropped the inject a slurry of mud and cement and through hydraulic action will lift the slab up to the original location. This may work, but they would have to do a look see if the current patio that the porch is set on will support this without cracking. ...»

The only other thing you can do is to remove the porch and cut through the patio and install new proper footings as it should have been done and then rebuild it as desired.
The porch should had never been installed on a patio without footings for the very reason your experiencing. Proper porch installs should include footings designed and sized to hold the weight of the porch construction.

on Nov 16, 2011 · Like 1
Its Really Concrete, Inc. Marietta, GA

i thought you described it well but that may be me ;-) we're currently stabilizing 2 structures: 1, in marietta, is experiencing settling of entry foyers of both condo units as they were built on ' fill '; 2, in tucker, is a 4unit apt bldg's front porch landing built as yours,,, we can't use precision for the latter however they're part of the team for the former - again, no financial interest - its your house !

on Nov 16, 2011 · Like 2
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

yours seems to be the same as the photos I posted above...if it is as massive as the one I worked on you have two option...demo or cover. The homeowner on the one pictured above went with the lower cost cover option.

on Nov 16, 2011 · Like 1