LOCATION: Italian Village, Columbus, Ohio (90 E Lincoln St, Columbus, OH 43215)
BUILDING TYPE: Historic 6-unit residential building
TRADES: General Contractor | Framing / Rough Carpentry | Masonry / Tuckpointing | Exterior Painting | Trim & Fascia
Porch Demolition, Tuckpointing & Exterior Restoration
- Delivered a Sunbelt 450AJ boom lift to the site and disassembled the full front porch roof structure from the top down.
- Removed four layers of roofing material that had been patched over repeatedly across 50+ years: two rubber roof membranes, foam insulation, an asphalt layer, another rubber membrane, additional asphalt, a sheet metal layer, and the original wood decking underneath.
- Discovered the porch roof ledger board was only held to the building with three nails. The original lag bolts had completely rusted away. The entire framing assembly was structurally compromised.
- The porch roof framing was the only thing tying the three two-story columns together. Before removing the roof structure, we temporarily supported the columns by connecting them at the midway point with 2×12 lumber and anchoring them to the concrete porch slab.
- Cut each column down one at a time with one person cutting and another person holding the column, similar to felling a tree. Controlled removal to prevent damage to the building or surrounding area.
- At the base, discovered the columns were never anchored to the concrete. They were sitting on top of a bottom board with no mechanical connection to the slab.
- Removed all debris and old materials from the site.
- Pressure washed the entire brick facade to remove years of buildup, dirt, and loose material.
- Tuckpointed and repointed the mortar joints across approximately 4 feet by 30 feet of brickwork on the front elevation. Ground out deteriorated mortar to proper depth and repacked with fresh mortar matched to the existing joint profile.
- Painted all handrails gloss black for a clean, finished look.
- Final cleanup of the site and surrounding area.
Why This Porch Needed a Full Teardown
- This building sits in the Italian Village neighborhood near Short North in Columbus. The porch structure had been patched and layered over for decades rather than properly repaired. By the time PaintWerks got to it, there were four distinct roofing layers stacked on top of failing framing.
- The biggest concern was the columns. The roof framing was the only thing holding the three two-story pillars in place. Once that structure was removed, the columns had no lateral support. Temporary bracing with 2×12 lumber and concrete anchoring kept them stable during the teardown.
- Finding zero mechanical connection at the column bases confirmed the entire porch assembly was overdue for a complete teardown. The original hardware had rusted to the point of failure, and the columns were relying on gravity alone.
Restored Exterior on a Historic Italian Village Building
PaintWerks handled the full scope of this project as a licensed general contractor. A failing, structurally compromised porch on a historic 6-unit building in Italian Village was safely demolished from the top down, the brick facade was restored through pressure washing and tuckpointing, and the exterior was cleaned up with fresh handrail paint. The building now has a clean, restored exterior that reflects the character of one of Columbus’s most desirable neighborhoods, just steps from the Short North Arts District.
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Porch & Masonry Questions
Do I need a general contractor for porch demolition in Columbus?
If the porch involves structural framing, columns, load-bearing connections, or work above one story, you need a licensed general contractor. Most handymen and painting companies are not equipped or licensed to handle structural demolition, temporary bracing, or boom lift work. PaintWerks holds an Ohio general contractor license and carries full general liability and workers comp on every project. We handle the full scope from demo through restoration so you are not coordinating multiple trades on a job like this.
How much does tuckpointing cost in Columbus, Ohio?
Tuckpointing in Columbus typically ranges from $5 to $25 per square foot depending on the height of the work, condition of the existing mortar, and how much grinding is needed to reach sound material. Boom lift access, like this Italian Village project required, adds to the cost but is often the only safe way to reach upper-story brickwork. We provide detailed written estimates that break down the scope so you know exactly what you are paying for. Call 614-582-4227 for a free estimate.
Can you tuckpoint old brick without damaging it?
Yes, when done correctly. The key is grinding out the deteriorated mortar to the proper depth without cutting into the face of the brick. We match the original joint profile and mortar color so the finished work blends with the existing brickwork. On historic buildings like this one in Italian Village, preserving the character of the original masonry is just as important as sealing it against water. Improper tuckpointing with the wrong mortar mix or too-aggressive grinding can crack or spall old brick, which is why this work should be done by an experienced masonry contractor.
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