Forum: Foundation
October 28, 2009
City Tree Removal
A City tree (we were advised that it was a City tree by a tree company) is starting to affect the foundation of a historic building. I already submitted a Forestry Service Request on the parks website. Is there an alternate route in getting the tree removed?
September 21, 2009
Foundation Fixer?
We need to replace part of our main beam and sister some joints. The inspector said we need to find a team of engineer, architect, and contractor to draw up a plan, file it with the city, and then do the work. My question is: Who do I call, and does anyone have a recommendation for this kind of work? Is this what the storefront engineers do? We are hoping not to spend more than $3,000 to $5,000 for the whole thing.
Foundation Problems?
Hi all--
For the past few years I've lived right next door to a massive construction project. The first phase involved demolition of an attached warehouse, and thin cracks appeared in several places around doorways and corners. I hired Heimer Engineers to take a look and they concluded the cracks were superficial and not evidence of structural damage. Three years later, the construction next door continues and I believe some of the cracks have grown, albeit not by much. The major issue is this piece of molding on the ceiling that is about to fall and I wonder if that is evidence of foundational issues that are more serious than I realize? The piece of molding in question is on the ceiling above the french door partition between my living room and kitchen area, so it's technically in the middle of the living area and not, for instance, in the corner or on the wall. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
(PS apologies in advance for multiple postings--I couldn't seem to get my message posted all morning).
September 9, 2009
Foundation Engineer Needed
I am looking for somebody, who can come in and check the foundation. Particularly:
- check the state of the foundation (crumbling masonry)
- how much it is possible to dig down without compromising the structure
- any recomendation on waterproofing
- check affects of the tree, which grows 2' away from the foundation.
Would you recommend anybody for this role.
thanks.
August 31, 2009
Brownstone Basement Beam
I found this really beautiful brownstone that's being gut renovated. But the basement looks awful. there's a huge beam that seemed to be roting away that the contractor said they will replace but is this to be expected from a brownstone first build in 1889?
Also what else should i look for now that they're going throught the renovation?
Is sewer smell normal close to the bathrooms? or is that a deal breaker?
July 27, 2009
water line
I was wondering if anyone could point me to a contractor who replaces water line. my limestone is breaking up big time, so much til i can see the very beautiful stone in front of basement. the sand is even damp. does insurance homeowner policies cover this if it is a break?
June 17, 2009
Water Seeping From Foundation
I've been having some problems with the considerable amount of rain these last 2 weeks. The other night, while it was still raining, I noticed some water pooling on the tile in my basement. It was confined to one corner and I could barely tell where it was coming from - until I noticed water seeping in from what seems to be the foundation. The water was going under the tiles and came up through the cracks in one corner, and extended into the next room where it stayed under the floor & tiles. I'm really worried about what this means and intend to have someone loot into it - I believe I may need french drains since we often have problems when it rains. Has anyone experienced something like this? I would really love to get some advice.
April 27, 2009
Powder Post Beetles
Has anyone dealt with powder post beetles? We just had a termite inspection for a house we're in contract with. They found powder post beetle damage in the third floor joist in our basement. There were other areas they didn't check (e.g. ceilings, parts of the floor) b/c they were "inaccessible." How bad does this sound? Thank you very much for any feedback.
February 27, 2009
property ends at the sidewall
Hi. Sorry for posting so many questions. This is my first house.
So my house is the last rowhouse on the block and its sidewall is exposed to the rear side of the backyards of the houses around the corner. So our property ends at the sidewall and the neibours backyards starts at that very point. As you can see from the picture two neighbors built boxes for the plants right on the my sidewall. Instead of the original design with grade sloping away from the house. I assume they will dump water into the box and this water will go right into my basement. I suspect there was no hydro isolation put between their soil and my wall.
What would be my options in this situation?
Should I leave it as it is (since it was like this for many years and the house did not fail yet)? Should I ask them nicely to disturb their soil and put the watertight membrane again the wall? Any other way to deal with this?
Also you can see on the picture there is a massive tree grows ~4' away from the wall. I afraid that its roots will damage the foundation. Should I convince myself, that this tree was there longer then I was alive and go around my business. Or should I freak that the tree's roots will push the foundation and house will crash?
Or maybe the best way to deal with this is to call a foundation specialist or a structural engineer for inspection. Can you recommend somebody in this field? Of course I need an objective concussions, not a sales pitch for the expensive repair work.
thanks.
February 12, 2009
Beam Repair Anyone?
Hello everyone,
I have a beam in the basement that has a bit of termite damage and the kitchen floor right above it sinks in a little bit. Anyone else have this problem and can recommend a licensed contractor? Rough price estimate?
I've tried calling a few places but they told me the job seems too small for them (must be nice turning down business these days :))
Thanks to anyone with suggestions