We've been trying for three years to get a contractor to show up to replace our porches. They are in disrepair. The front one was concrete and the side is like a small wooden deck (built in 2004) that has seen better days. The concrete is probably over 70 years old and the top is crumbline and the side deck is rotting.

We couldn't wait any longer and decided to do it ourselves with the help of a friend. We got the deck of the front porch finished. City ordinances say we have to apply for a permit to add the roof so that part is going to have to wait until I can get one. Hopefully this week.

The old porches:


The new trex front porch (railing and steps to be done sometime this week):


The wife is concerned about cutting into the current metal roof to add the porch roof. I'm concerned about having to reroute the downspouts to keep water out of the front yard.

Any advice for adding the roof to the front porch is extremely welcome. The current downspout is to the right and goes underground to the back yard. I really don't want water in the front yard as it causes basement issues.

Where are you going to put the rocking chairs?

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by rbert0005:
Where are you going to put the rocking chairs?

Out towards the front.

If you leave it the way it is, you can practice your field goals.

I'm not criticizing by any means but I would be concerned with the shallow angle that your roof will have . You don't have a lot of clearance above the door to give it a steep pitch . Am I looking at it wrong ?

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
I'm not criticizing by any means but I would be concerned with the shallow angle that your roof will have . You don't have a lot of clearance above the door to give it a steep pitch . Am I looking at it wrong ?

The plan is to cut into the existing roof to allow for a better angle.

Does it have to be full cover? Would something like a pergola suffice? That would be an easy way to alleviate roof/runoff/drainage concerns.

Mark, I’m sorry, all I can see is an amazing lawn. My God, it is beautiful. When I lived in Washington, where it always rained, my lawn never looked 1/10 that good. Incredible.

Nice work on the porch, but I can’t stop staring at the lawn.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
Mark, I’m sorry, all I can see is an amazing lawn. My God, it is beautiful. When I lived in Washington, where it always rained, my lawn never looked 1/10 that good. Incredible.

Nice work on the porch, but I can’t stop staring at the lawn.

God bless you, friend. Lawn fertilizing is my business. I very much appreciate being noticed. The first picture has the ugly bentgrass patches. I'm still working on those.

I would NOT cut into the existing roof. I'd have it but up against the roof perhaps with a slight gap and seal the gap with 5200 or other kind of sealant. But certainly would not cut into the roof.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
I would NOT cut into the existing roof. I'd have it but up against the roof perhaps with a slight gap and seal the gap with 5200 or other kind of sealant. But certainly would not cut into the roof.

There's not enough room between the door and the eaves.

Are you going to do the trusses for the new cover and cut into the roof yourself?

That's pretty gutsy... has to be right, as to the gutter, It probably could be shortened to end at the new roofline, it would look better and you'd need a downspout on both corners of the house.

Just a question, why not extend that patio to the end of the house under the big window. It would give you a nice place to put your chairs, sit, play your guitar and have a cold beverage.

Either way, it looks like a nice start to the project.

Note you could remove the shrubs and run it all the way to the edge of the drive, eliminate the sidewalk and have a full covered porch or partially covered...

Anywho good luck!

Thread drift...

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
The first picture has the ugly bentgrass patches. I'm still working on those.

In a word: Tenacity™. It's expensive, but it works. We had bent grass all over the place and it was slowly taking over, as bent grass will.

After one application, late-summer-before-last, there's very little left. I'll nail what little remains later this summer.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Thread drift...

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
The first picture has the ugly bentgrass patches. I'm still working on those.

In a word: Tenacity™. It's expensive, but it works. We had bent grass all over the place and it was slowly taking over, as bent grass will.

After one application, late-summer-before-last, there's very little left. I'll nail what little remains later this summer.

I have some. I think I'd rather deal with it slowly thanks to have a white lawn.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
The first picture has the ugly bentgrass patches.

?!? And I thought that was a lawn-map of the US!

[Weed control thread drift...]

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
I have some. I think I'd rather deal with it slowly thanks to have a white lawn.

I believe Tenacity will turn only the bent grass white? I only spot-treated with it, but I don't recall the surrounding "rough" turning white.

I also used it to eradicate an infestation of nimblewill coming up in one corner of the yard. (At one time I think our lawn had at least one of everything .) Don't recall it affecting the surrounding turf, there, either.

If it were me I would call the roofing contractor who put the metal roof on the house and let them do it.
The metal roof on the house may be under warrantee from the installer or the manufacturer and if you tie into it it may void it.
They hopefully should be able to do it and guarantee against leaks I would hope.

quote:

Originally posted by 71 TRUCK:
If it were me I would call the roofing contractor who put the metal roof on the house and let them do it. ...

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
We've been trying for three years to get a contractor to show up to replace our porches. ...

He is one of the contractors we've been trying to get to show up. I paid him the day he put the roof on. He just must not want any more of my money.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Does it have to be full cover? Would something like a pergola suffice? That would be an easy way to alleviate roof/runoff/drainage concerns.

I think this may be what we are going to do. Thanks.

Good for you Mark. Glad your friend was able to help.
I am a huge advocate of doing it yourself or like in this case at least participate.

I hate the whole hire an expert argument. Jallen and I used to battle over that. That was one of his mantra's.

Let the experts screw the next person, not you.

It is different if you have someone you know and trust. Most do not and they do get screwed by "your expert."