Structural Integrity following Improper Wall Removal
Anyone have any suggestions on how to repair damage done to a house’s integrity when a load-bearing wall was improperly removed. The contractors for a retail store on the ground floor replaced a load-bearing wall with steel beams. It was not done correctly and caused my second-floor to fall up to two inches. Everything had…
Anyone have any suggestions on how to repair damage done to a house’s integrity when a load-bearing wall was improperly removed. The contractors for a retail store on the ground floor replaced a load-bearing wall with steel beams. It was not done correctly and caused my second-floor to fall up to two inches. Everything had just been renovated and now there are cracks everywhere–bathroom tiles, fireplace, walls, floors, ceilings. Some of the cracks are big enough to insert an entire finger. The contractor says he’ll fix everything, but their intent is more to patch things up then a thorough reconstruction. Anyone have any experience or can recommend an engineer to give me an independent evaluation?
One archetect and one engineer that I spoke with said the only real option is to completely re-renovate. Is this true?
I definately agree with the previous post that you need to worry now about structural integrity and after that is fixed think about cosmetics.
It sounds like the contractor was not qualified to do this kind of major work so you really don’t know how serious the damage might be. A few inch drop in the floor and cracked walls could be just signs of a serious structural problem. At worst the building could collapse (this is what happened to a hotel in Singapore while the building contractor was in the process of fixing the cracks in the structural beams). –Not to scare you though, the chances of this happening are slim, but that is what you need to think about.
You definately need to hire a well-recommended engineering firm that has experience with this type of building damage. You should do this right away.
…And you probably should call your lawyer too because this sounds like a situation where the contractor is not going to voluntarily compensate the amount that will be required. From my experience, you can’t get a lawyer involved early enough–he’ll think of things like preserving evidence that you won’t. It will make the case easier later on.
Call your Lawyer.
Call Joe Pasatouro from AVT enterprises…
You must add a loadbearing beam to replace what was taken out — they use engineered wood now for many of these problems– and you can’t wait; you will have more than cracks. Get an engineer and/or contractor and have a beam put in. That is first and foremost then worry about cosmetics.
If you simply patch the cracks, you’ll have temporary aesthetic repair, but can look forward to further settling and more cracking for years to come.
I agree with those with whom you’ve spoken already, that the only way to completely restore integrity to that which it was previously is to renovate again.
Some things like fireplaces and chimneys, as well as plumbing and wiring, can be compromised by such structural stress.
You definately need a local structural engineer to inspect and give you a complete report (and likely a local attorney to get a proper resolution of the case with the contractor). If you don’t renovate again, you have annual repairs for years to come.