Cellar of the Seller, exposing brick and more

I purchased a place with skeletons in the closet. Unmaintained for a number of years, and unable to fully gut it, I’m stuck with piecemeal fixups. Well, the cellar was being used as an apartment and had drywall up. Questions:

* Is it worth tearing down all the drywall in the cellar in order to check the health of the walls, pipes, etc., especially as a few years ago a neighbor did some heavy duty excavation work?
* Is it expensive, what should I expect and what’s involved in getting this interior masonry to be sealed / etc. (I don’t know what’s even involved. I think this is the foundation, which is made of big stones)
* Finally, is it expensive to expose brick in some of the walls of the apartments? Is there some pointing / other expensive work involved? Any idea of the price range of that?

soundhoner

in Walls and Interiors 10 years and 1 month ago

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soundhoner | 10 years and 1 month ago

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I should probably have broken this out better into two questions that are completely different: — The cellar exposing. That’s not for aesthetics but more for being able to see what’s back there. To ensure foundation is sound, to be able to better see piping, etc. Of course the cellar smells horribly musty, and I don’t trust that there weren’t numerous leaks over the years. It sounds like you are saying that there is potential for costs going up, if, after ripping off the walls, mold, asbestos etc need to be taken care of. — The brick exposing in the apartments. What do they do when they do that? Strip the walls, repair cracks, etc., repoint…? Has anyone done this and what sort of costs are involved?

workisfun | 10 years and 1 month ago

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Whether or not you prefer the asthetic of brick, you may find that it is covered with lead-painted plaster and/or another layer of stone for extra support beneath the joists. This really all depends on what you plan for the space. If you intend to spend time down there, I would at least investigate a few patches to assess, especially if you have children. Mold is serious. Of course, lead and asbestos are harmless if contained behind the Sheetrock.

timber | 10 years and 1 month ago

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I wouldn’t expose the brick. It was meant to be covered. Exposing can generate dust, loose mortar, etc. Frequently the brick layout is not that neat or attractive.

workisfun | 10 years and 1 month ago

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if the foundation has been leaking water, you will know when you remove the sheetrock. but then you may have to address mold and probably even lead and perhaps asbestos. all costly to remedy. but you don’t want mold festering, because healthcare is more expensive than all of the above.