Stop the Slide: What Detached Decks and Sagging Porches Are Telling You
That slight slope in your family room that suddenly turned into a big one is not a mystery. It is your home warning you that something under your deck, porch, or addition is failing. At Bishop Construction, we see it all the time. The common thread is simple: undersized or missing footers and foundations that were never designed to carry today’s loads.
Our job is to find the true cause, explain the options, and fix it the right way so you do not face the same problem again.
The Big Three Problems We See
1) Detached or Separating Decks
When a deck pulls away from the house, the culprit is usually undersized footers. Corners get cut during construction, and for a few years everything looks fine. Then footers settle, posts sink, and the deck starts to separate or sag. The risk multiplies if a deck gets converted into a living space with heavy sliding glass doors, an outdoor kitchen, or larger furniture.
How we fix it:
- Install properly sized footers and new posts where needed
- Add block footers to distribute loads in problem areas
- Re-support and relevel framing
- Upgrade connections to the house with proper hardware and flashing
The goal is to get the structure bearing on a foundation that matches the actual load, not just what looked good on day one.
2) Sagging Porch Roofs or Columns
A sagging porch roof can be a foundation issue, but not always. We have opened roofs that looked like structural failures and found the foundation was perfect. The real cause was a slow roof leak that rotted the framing from the inside. Other times the deck beneath is sinking and dragging the columns down with it.
How we fix it:
- Diagnose whether the problem starts in the roof system or below
- Replace rotted framing and seal the roof correctly
- Reinforce or replace porch columns and bases
- Shore and lift safely to restore alignment
Getting the diagnosis right saves you from paying for the wrong repair.
3) Unsupported Additions and Sunrooms
Additions and sunrooms often get built over inadequate foundations. Gaps invite water and insects, which accelerate sagging and damage. Sometimes the most responsible recommendation is to rebuild rather than pour money into a flawed structure.
How we fix it:
- Excavate and re-support with new, correctly sized footers or a continuous foundation
- Close openings that allow water and insect intrusion
- Evaluate whether targeted repairs will hold or if a rebuild is the smarter investment
We always put your best interest first. We will lay out the options and tell you plainly, if it were our home, what we would do.
Why Footers Matter More Than Anything
Footers are where everything starts. They carry the weight of your deck, porch roof, or addition to the ground. If they are too small, too shallow, or missing, settlement is inevitable. Properly sized footers at the correct depth protect against movement, especially when loads increase with living space conversions and added features.
Signs It Is Time To Call Bishop Construction
- A visible gap where your deck meets the house
- Doors or sliders sticking, or a floor slope that is getting worse
- Porch columns out of plumb or visibly sinking
- Soft spots, water stains, or chronic leaks at the porch roof
- Evidence of insects or moisture at an addition
- You plan to enclose a deck or add heavy doors, windows, or an outdoor kitchen
Catching these early prevents costlier damage.
Our Diagnostic Approach
Think of us as structural detectives. We do not guess. We:
- Inspect from roof to footers to find the true source
- Provide clear, prioritized repair options
- Use code compliant methods with proper load calculations
- Communicate the plan and stand behind the work
We are not here to sell you the biggest fix. We are here to recommend the right one.
Ready To Stop the Sag and Separation?
If you are seeing a separating deck, sagging porch roof, or problems with an unsupported addition or sunroom, let us take a look. Contact Bishop Construction to schedule a consultation. We will diagnose the issue, explain your options, and deliver a repair that lasts.
