I just took apart a very badly made porch attached to an old brick house (built circa 1890). I do not want to go into the details but the old porch was so badly built (cement blocks as footings, ledger bolts loose, mishmash material w zero detail…bad bad. etc.) that it pulled apart some of the old brick which I then had to re-point!
I now have a solid wall and I would like good advice on a sure way to attach to this old house. The brick wall is soft brick built with lime-putty then 1-inch space, black tar-paper then 12-inch boards nailed on top of 2×6 frame.
My plan is:
- To rest the roof of the structure onto a beam supported by two 6×6 posts on the house side
- First doing proper footings below frost line (around here is 3.5feet) then build a deck.
- Then build a porch roof with 6×6 four-post structure with lean to metal roof or just a pergola for more light.
Trying to cover lateral forces blowing from the west/east so what is the best & strongest way to attach the 6×6 posts against the brick house this old?
Is there a better way?
Best Answer
If your brick wall is solid and sturdy, you can through-bolt a wood header the same width as your new porch, and connect the joists to it using hardware for T joint.
Ideally, your posts shall be set away from the house to allow room for good foundations. You can add bracings or diagonals to maintain the squareness of the deck, and to resist the lateral load.