Forum Archive: Structural

Looking for a structural engineer.

We want to convert two first floor windows into a large archway, for a door to the backyard.

We also want to lower our cellar floor by 6 inches.

Any experiential recommendations for structural engineers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brle

Hi there. Question: What would the required framing stud size be for external walls in a new building in NYC that is 5 stories high? Is it 2×4 or 2×6? Thanks much for your help.

Hello.

Recently our tenants found termites swarming in their garden level apt. We’ve never had any bug or termite issues in the past. We had an exterminator install a Sentricon System. With the heavy rain last night our tenants had water leaking through their shared bedroom wall from our small yard. Their bedroom is is located in a 2 story extension that was there before we purchased our home. We are fearing that serious structural damage may have occurred to our foundation from the termites causing the leak?

Should we call a structural engineer? If so who do you recommend?

We also have overall backyard draining issues and will need to install a french drain. Any recommendations for someone to take of that as well?

Thank you in advance for your helpful brownstoner advice.

Hey guys, we just started hearing a loud buzzing noise coming from our bathroom ceiling. We have a few recessed lights and a ventilation fan, and we hear the buzz even after I cut the power from the circuit breaker. Any thoughts? I’m concerned about the safety aspect. Thanks!

I am looking for a structural engineer, preferably based in Brooklyn, who specializes in small jobs dealing with historic townhomes – particularly opening up masonry walls. Any recommendations?

I’m attaching a photo of a mysterious substance on a wood door frame I noticed at an open house this weekend. Substance is while, dried, and caked on – with brown staining. Anyone have thoughts about what it is?

The apt is 4th floor, so it’s not basement moisture. It’s on a wood door frame between a bathroom and the kitchen – and from the photo it looks like the source of moisture is under the floor. Maybe a pipe leak?

I’m interested in the apartment for a lot of other reasons, but this is daunting. However, I have no idea how serious it is. A friend suggested I ask the sponsor to pay for a mold/moisture specialist of my choosing before making an offer or going into contract. Think that will work? (Condo building has 5 avail units and only one is in contract, so sponsor may agree to get another into contract.)

Looking for structural engineer to draw plans for small job. Is there such a thing? Do structural engineers do small jobs?

Any recs appreciated.

During the recent heavy rains, we’ve had water come into the vestibule area between the stoop and the garden floor hallway. Our previous house had drains both in the “front garden” area (i.e. between the house and the sidewalk, beside the stoop) and in the entrance area behind the stoop but in front of the house proper. But our current place has concrete in the “yard” and what looks like solid stone in the entrance area. We have a door rather than a gate under the stoop.

Both areas are over solid ground, and anyway the waste pipe in the front part of the basement is buried, so adding drains would require major excavation. Any other ideas for keeping the water out? Thanks.

I live on the parlor floor of a coop. The roof of the extension is over my dining room. That roof is covered by my upstairs neighbor’s deck. The deck is legal and has been there for many years and part of her property.

There have been several undiagnosed small and annoying leaks however during last night’s freak hail storm things got pretty hairy. Water started pouring in through the light fixture in the center of my dining room ceiling. It was like someone turned on a shower. My upstairs neighbor (with the deck) also had leaks around her back window and door frame. I’m guessing these could be two separate issues.

The problem is we just don’t know where the water is coming from and desperately need someone to come in to trouble shoot and hopefully find all these various leaks before Mother Nature turns on the shower again. Next time we may not be home to put pails underneath the deluge … Anyone know anybody who can help?