If you have an old porch that has become unsightly, or even worse, unsafe, then you are most likely considering removing it. While you might not have the expertise to build a porch, you can save money by tearing it down yourself. It’s a labor intensive process but a rewarding one. Here is how to dispose of an old wood porch in a roll-off dumpster with that in mind.
What You Will Need to Dispose of Your Old Porch
Before you can tear down your porch and dispose of it, you will need a roll-off dumpster from Dumpstermaxx. We can deliver a roll-off dumpster directly to your driveway at a time that works for you. Once you have filled the dumpster with your old porch, we will pick it up and haul it away. A twenty-yard dumpster will likely be enough for your porch, but you may need a thirty-yard dumpster or greater if you have a large house.
Once you have rented a dumpster from us, you will need the correct tools. Here is a list of the tools most commonly used to tear down a porch:
- Electric Circular Saw or Portable Band Saw (Metal)
- Sledgehammer
- Claw Hammer
- Mallet
- Flat Shovel
- Ladder
- Safety Goggles
- Hard Hat
- Work Gloves
- Work Boots
Before you start tearing down the porch, make sure the power is shut off to the porch in case you strike any live wires. If your porch has lights or a fan, then it has wiring. There also may be outlets on your porch, so inspect it closely to be sure that none exist. You will also want to remove any plants, furniture, or decorative items. Anything that you want to save or that could impede your progress needs to be removed.
Removing a Porch Roof and Disposing of it in a Roll-Off Dumpster
Use a ladder to access the porch roof and a shovel to remove the shingles. You should also pull away the flashing (a strip of metal used to prevent water from penetrating where a roof connects with another surface) from where your porch roof connects to your house.
Next, cut through the Joists. They are the horizontal beams connecting the porch roof to the house, as well as rafters, which are angled beams that are part of the frame. A flat roof will only have joists, which will be supported by trusses.
Next, remove the nails from all beams with a hammer. Once you’ve removed all the nails, you will be able to knock the beams out with a sledgehammer.
If you are unable to remove all the nails, you will need a circular electric saw to cut through the beams and get them flush to your house. First, you’ll need to cut through the roof’s decking with the circular saw. Be sure to completely cut through the deck and across the whole length of the porch’s roof. Next, cut through the joists from underneath the roof, be sure to wear all your safety equipment. Splinters, shingles and other objects may fall on you. Make sure you take all the debris from the porch roof and place it in your roll-off dumpster.
The next task is to separate what remains of the roof from the house. If the porch roof looks unsafe after removing most of its roof, get out from underneath. Continue to remove what’s left of the porch roof by knocking it down with your sledgehammer. Once you have completely removed the porch roof, cut it into smaller pieces so you can place it in the roll-off dumpster.
With the porch roof removed, it’s time to remove any columns, screens or railing. It will be a relatively simple process since the porch columns are no longer supporting the roof. As always, keep safety in mind as the old columns and railing may be rotten and can fall on you. If your porch was screened in, remove the staples or nails that fastened the screen to the porch. Roll up the screen and dispose of it in your roll-off dumpster.
If any railing exists on your porch, remove the nails or screws holding it in place. Once you have taken the railing down, cut it into sections so that it will better fit into the dumpster. If you have metal railing, you may have to saw it into sections as well, you can use a hacksaw, or a portable band saw to cut through it.
Next, we come to the columns on the porch. Remove the nails that connect the columns to the floor. You can either push the columns down by hand or use a sledgehammer. Cut the columns into pieces and dispose of them.
Next, remove the flooring from the porch. Remove all nails to remove the boards. Once you have removed the boards, cut them into smaller sections and throw them in your dumpster. Your porch may have been sitting on a foundation, usually made of cinder block or brick. If you plan on keeping the foundation for a new porch, no further action is needed. If you are going to remove the foundation, you can use a sledgehammer to break it down, but use caution near the house’s outer wall. You will need to carefully chisel away the foundation to keep it from damaging the house.
We Can Help You Dispose of Your Old Wood Porch
Contact Dumpstermaxx to assist in the disposal of your old wood porch. Get in touch right away; one of our experienced staff can help you determine what size dumpster is you need for disposing of your porch. We will schedule a time that works for you to bring a roll-off dumpster straight to your driveway. When your wood porch is removed and in your roll off dumpster, we will come to pick it up and haul it away. Don’t hesitate; Dumpstermaxx a call now!