Forum: Structural
July 1, 2008
Fllor Beam
Hi All,
I am renovating a brownstone that required partially removing the load bearing wall on the ground floor. I have discovered that a parlor floor beam is broken that is directly underneath a non-working fireplace? I have had several estimates but my question is does anyone know the best way to address this condition and the cost and any recommendations? My current contractors do not want to touch it.
Thank you
rider1
June 10, 2008
Structural Engineer?
I live in the garden level of a landmark brownstone. One bedroom is beneath the landing of the front stoop--so essentially the landing is our bedroom's "roof". We've had persistent leak problems for years--tried resurfacing the landing, sealing it, patching it. Nothing has worked. Does anyone have any ideas to consider?? Anyone work with any structural engineers who might have a clue how to fix this once and for all??
Thanks!
June 9, 2008
structural work
want to have my half-cellar dug out to create more space for storage. A cracked wooden center beam also needs to be replaced with a steel beam and columns. In the digging-out process, my walls may require some underpinning. I have gotten a plan approved by the building department, but in the meantime I've lost my contractor who is now stacked up with other jobs. Has anyone had similar work done? I'm looking for a contractor with experience in this type of structural work. I'd be grateful for any recommendations.
June 2, 2008
Wood Pest Prevention
I'm redoing the roof of a small extension and was wondering if there's any DIY treatments I can apply to the beams and boards before installing them that will discourage pests at eat or otherwise destroy wood. (Note, we had a termite inspection a year ago that found historical issues, but nothing current.) Thanks!
April 28, 2008
Structural Contractor
I need to find a contractor who would be capable of taking out a staircase, and cutting up 2 new flights in a new location of the house (Adjacent to the old staircase) This contractor should also be able to straighten up several sagging beams on one floor. Any ref's and reco's?
I know this sounds like a help wanted ad, but I need to compile as long a list of numbers as I can.
Appreciate any feedback!!!
April 1, 2008
Sagging support beams, again
I am considering buying a 4 floor brownstone in a "looted" condition. It has this same problem: the top 2 floors have a slight dip towards the middle. The inspector checked over the beams and they are in a pretty good condition, but because there have been new bathrooms/tubs installed in the middle of the house the weight over time has sagged the floors. He said it's not a big deal to jack up the floors, starting at the lowest level. The house needs a total rehab, so I'm not concerned about ripping through floors/ceilings. As many of you seem to have done this, what is a ballpark cost for this? Are we talking less than $10K per floor or more? Just any rough guesstimate is appreciated!!!
March 13, 2008
Basement Breakdown
I'm literaly frightened of my basement. I now only go down if something is wrong (though everything is wrong.) Last week broken boiler (plumbers proceeded to drop said boiler and spill gallons of water everywhere.) Today I went down to start cleaning, and as the clouded dirt filled the air as I swept the dirt floor, I heard a toilet flush upstairs and the slight spilling of liquid just a few feet from where I stood.
I know these sound like petty issues (they are, and are natural happenings for homeowners) but again these are only the things that have affected life above the basement. Full status includes: holes, loose wires, slanted collapsing ceilings and walls, pvc pipes(?!,) other pipes, etc...
We've hired people to "fix" the basement in the past (patching/plastering/foundation work/etc) and yet somehow I cant even tell there was EVER work done down there. Sure it's partially my fault/my mothers/and my grandmother fault. Too many people hiring half ass-ed workers, but even when I went for bigger names in the industry they still left their monkies here, and what I saw the guy I hired... twice?
I know this is often the case for basements, but I'm truly horrified when I step foot inside. My heart races. It feels and looks as if the ceiling could cave in at any moment. And man I haven't even thought about CODES, VOILATIONS, HUMAN SAFETY.eeek.
I'm assuming I need an overhaul rewiring, plumbing electrical, foundation, plaster... etc. who does this kind of work and who will do it right? I feel like I'm living on thin ice.
February 11, 2008
Fixing foundation slope
Can anyone recommend a contractor or construction company to 'stabilize a sloping foundation'? I had a structural engineer do an assessment and he recommends piling or underpinning to keep my house from continuing to move. This is not a sagging-beam-issue since it's not a wide wood frame brownstone. (it's a brick townhouse)
I ask for recommendations since every company i've called claims the job is 'too small' or else doesn't do this kind of work.
February 3, 2008
sagging support beams???
hi,
we bought our frame house in park slope 4 years ago and since then we have noticed the floor has a slant to it. we called an engineer and now know that one of the wooden support beams has to to re replaced with steel. Who do I even call first to get this sort of job done? Also someone told me the house might have to be "jacked up" - I can just imagine the cost...
any help would be greatly appreciated
January 7, 2008
Sloping floors in new construction -- advice?
Hi,
I am in contract on a high floor of one of the new high-rise Brooklyn towers. I went to look at it recently, and noticed that the floor was slanted. That is, the height of the floor seems to change by about half an inch over the span of a 12-foot-long room, and seems generally uneven throughout the apartment, within about that same half-an-inch tolerance.
The building is poured-concrete construction.
How worried should I be? How can I tell if it's a structural problem or just cosmetic? Do I have any wiggle room in my contract? (I have a lawyer, but wanted to ask here too.) Does anyone have advice? Thanks!