Can we repair the foundation of our front porch to improve our overall well-being?
Asked by Iina Remes 
4 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
In order to improve ourselves, we need to start with our own personal foundation – just like fixing up our front porch.
You can use shims and mortar, as long as it’s not for structural purposes. You may need to cut one for the corner though.
Is talking about the basic principles of construction. As a general guideline, structural integrity is crucial
Was simply basing his statement on the information provided in the picture
Sure, you have the ability to. The real question is, is it advisable?
Question: What will remain to support the porch if you remove “all” of the cinder blocks?
First things first, make sure to inspect the siding. We used to have a farmhouse with similar siding, and it turned out to be asbestos.
We haven’t started working on the siding yet, but hopefully we’ll get it replaced at some point. Right now, it’s not a top priority.
That siding does have asbestos, but no need to stress about it. You can take it out and dispose of it in the trash. If it was painted with lead paint, that’s a bigger hassle.
All I can tell you is that it’s composite siding. Our homeowner’s insurance recently dropped us because we can’t afford to replace it at the moment. We just purchased the house, closed late last month, and moved in about 2 weeks ago.
I hadn’t heard they were canceling people over it now? That’s wild. Just avoid grinding it and you should be okay. Many homes in our neighborhood have it, so there must be an insurance company that will provide coverage. Ours had it until 2019.
We’re on the search for and it’s been a wild few weeks.
I’m contacting a few individuals to inquire about the cost of repairing it, but we recently relocated and used up all our spare funds on other expenses 😔
Looks like there’s more block issues below ground level. You might have to dig underneath or get under the porch. I wouldn’t suggest trying to handle this on your own.
Who was the one to decide it’s not a structural problem?
The insurance company denied ‘s claim because they considered the enclosed porch to be separate from the house.
Hey, did the insurance company mention if it’s not a structural issue for your enclosed porch or for your home foundation? Did they have a structural engineer check it out?
I’m not sure if it’s a structural issue, but if the blocks are supporting a structure, it seems like it would be. I’m guessing the framing for the siding on your porch is connected to the foundation that’s moving?
Do you have any pictures of the area from a distance?
Have you seen any problems with the interior or exterior finishes in that area? Like cracks, or windows and doors sticking?
Nope, nothing is coming loose, it’s just the gaps between the bricks. The porch feels pretty sturdy when we’re standing on it
We had to get a city inspection done before we could buy the house… the insurance company didn’t drop us because of that, but because of our siding
He’s the best I have on the front right now
You guys can definitely tackle repairing that block on your weekends
Simple solution that you can handle. Search on YouTube for a guide on replacing cinder blocks. Best of luck! 👍🏼
Seems like the footings were poorly done. You could try fixing it yourself, but I wouldn’t recommend it since it involves supporting the structure. Get some estimates and they’ll let you know the necessary steps and if it’s urgent. It appears that you still have some support, but be cautious!
Why not check the crawl space to see if there’s pier and beam construction? This type of construction is common in older homes in my area, with cinder blocks laid to prevent cold air and pests from entering the crawl space.
I’m not familiar with a crawl space
It appears that you already have one, . Perhaps the previous owner blocked off the access?
It all comes down to whether the block is structural or not, as confirmed by your inspection. If the porch was constructed with wooden floor joists placed on concrete or blocks (and they’re in good condition) and the blocks were simply added for insulation or looks, then there’s no issue. But if the block is indeed structural, you’ll need to set up temporary support, excavate new footers, and rebuild the wall at the precise height. While it’s possible to DIY, it’s not the recommended route.
I have no idea, to be honest. I’m completely clueless 😭🤣
You should definitely explore it and get a sense of its construction. Are you looking to buy this house or have you already made the purchase?
We recently purchased it and have been residing here for a couple of weeks
Do you have any way to access the area behind the block wall?
I’m not convinced.
I’d venture to say it’s more of a decorative wall than anything. The blocks used are different from the home’s foundation, so it seems like a later addition. Also, it seems like the bottom of the block wall is sinking while the top blocks are hanging. If there was any weight on it, it would collapse. It might be a good idea to have a contractor come out to assess and provide a repair estimate. They can determine if it’s a structural issue. Having a repair cost in mind will help you decide whether to attempt a DIY fix or not. While doing masonry work decently is manageable, achieving an excellent result is challenging.
Expressed confusion about purchasing a house without knowing about any structural issues. It would have been wise to clarify this before signing the agreement. Not to sound harsh, but…sorry
Reported that the city inspection confirmed no structural issues
Mentioned that the house needed to pass an inspection for us to secure it
I’m glad to hear you had an inspection done…I feel relieved for you. Make sure to review the inspection report, especially noting any structural issues
Hold up, did you say city inspection? That’s actually pretty intriguing!
Hey, for our first home purchase we took advantage of a grant for first-time buyers, but the inspection process is quite thorough to qualify for the grant and cover closing costs
That’s awesome! Congratulations on becoming a homeowner. It’s not common for a city or town to handle this, at least in this area for a First Home Owner. This is especially true if the grant is coming from that specific municipality. Check the report to ensure there are no structural issues. A thorough report should have mentioned the foundation blocks.
That appears to be a gas meter. Before taking any further action, I suggest reaching out to the gas company to have them mark your gas line and provide information on its location and depth. It’s crucial to be aware of these details if you plan on doing any digging in that area, as you definitely want to avoid hitting a gas line. Additionally, I recommend putting up a temporary barrier around the meter to prevent any accidental damage while digging or building.
If it’s not a structural wall, you can use different materials. But either way, masonry walls require a strong foundation because of their weight.
Since you have pillars, it’s unlikely that the block is providing support. If it were, the porch would be sagging, and the block wouldn’t be moving. Unless someone accidentally hit it with a car or something, it’s probable that they were simply placed there to fill a gap. If that’s the case, you can repair it yourself by watching a few YouTube tutorials. Hiring a contractor could cost around $1200, but a handyman might do it for $850-$900. You may need to replace some blocks, especially the top part, but the bottom seems to be in place as it should be.
Are these photos taken by a home inspector?
These photos are from the insurance inspection
My dogs enjoy gazing out the window, but none of the ottomans we’ve purchased have been able to withstand their claws and support their weight while standing on the sill. That’s why I decided to create our own. My tough pit bull hasn’t tested it yet, but he usually takes his time. The Catahoula gave it the seal of approval right away.
You might want to consider hiring a professional, especially with the gas line nearby.
Update: Someone is scheduled to come and provide an estimate on Friday.
Hey , not to steal your thunder, but I’m dealing with a similar block issue on my garage. Have you contacted a masonry company or someone else? I’m a bit lost on where to begin. 😅
I reached out to a friend who works with masonry. If it turns out to be non-structural, we’ll hold off on finishing it since we’re tight on extra cash.
Thanks for sharing the info! I hope everything gets resolved smoothly for you. ✨
Thank you