House is 56 years old. Crack is 24" long and curves down from window frame. Was not there when I moved in 2 1/2 yrs ago. Window is double sash and won't slide up and down freely. Window seems off plumb with frame.
2006-07-06 03:57:47 · 4 answers · asked by Worried 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Should mention that wall is interior and separates about 1/8", with top of crack moved out 1/32" or so.
2006-07-06 04:23:36 · update #1
you have a foundation problem.it will require profesional repair.your house is settling into the ground.if dont fix will keep sagging and will cause roof problems down the road and then you have major trouble.
2006-07-06 04:03:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have big-time settlement going on at your foundation. If hte house is that old, is it on pier-and-beam, or a slab? P&B is much easier (read: cheaper) to repair. Slab is much tougher, and getting a company out there can run around $10k.
First thing you may try though, that's nearly free, is running a garden hose undre that window outside, and turn it on a trickle. Move it around every day or so, and just let it run. If you are in an area w/ drought, it may be the groudn is just contracting underyour house, causing it to crack. Putting water back in the ground may help alleviate this.
You may or may not have other doors or windows that are sticking. If you put a ball of some sort in the middleo f your floor (in the room w/ the crack), does it stay put or roll against a wall? Rolling is bad, obviously.
Before you patch the crack, try the water trick. Don't get in a rush, let it saturate the ground. Slab or P&B, this may be just what your home needs to seal that crack back up. If that doesn't work, you'll need professional foundation repair.
2006-07-06 11:04:04 · answer #2 · answered by Sugar Pie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if its a manufactured home (ground set have someone who knows how to level them, but, if you have a basement check for stress cracks in the foundation thats one cause, on a slab foundation, sounds like water or termite damadge, go get a new window tear off the sidding , replace all the bad wood, use 2x6 "s instead of 2x4"s as a header ( verticaly
) more strength and just be thankfull you have a home to fix that should do it good luck! (I travel and do remodeling and and additions) so if you need my services send e mail sneakers822@yahoo.com formaly thatcarpenterguy@aol
2006-07-06 11:18:40 · answer #3 · answered by sneakers822 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you have a problem with the structure of the wall in which the window is located. You should call a licensed contractor to evaluate the problem (foundation could be settling or other such serious issue). Doesn't sound easy or cheap to fix, unfortunately.
2006-07-06 11:06:20 · answer #4 · answered by lienonme 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋