I recently bought my first home. It's close to 90 years old and I love it. It isn't, however, without problems. While the basement is mostly dry, it has had leaks. These leaks have caused the wood of my basement staircase to rot. The loosened staircase is now pulling down some of the main beams in my house... I need to fix it soon!
Where do I start? Is this something that I can handle with a friend who has some background in framing/working on houses?
2006-11-25 11:57:52 · 9 answers · asked by m b 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
your friend surely should know how to do that project. if nothing else you 2 together should be able to look at the stairway & DUPICATE it. the stairway that is there shouldn't be holding anything up. but if it is put in some post then replace your stairway. i love old homes myself, ours is 125 year old.
good luck == restore don't destroy itch
2006-11-25 12:50:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will take a seasoned pro most of a day and a lot of skill to build a plain and simple set of stairs, plus time to remove the old stairs. It also sounds like you have a second problem. The beams are supposed to support the stairs. You definately do not have a DIY project here - if your friend knew what he was looking at he would quickly tell you he doesn't have time for a project of this scale (unless he is unemployed). You certainly need the help of a pro.
2006-11-25 12:16:47 · answer #2 · answered by boogie2510 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get so tired of these people that answer, MY GOD! DON'T TRY IT YOURSELF! This is a Do It Yourself site!. The stairs are not pulling down some main beams. You have more than one problem. Yes get your buddies to look at it. I can't (of course) answer specifically, but start by trying to figure where the beams attached to before they started to come down. Probably the support for them is behind the stair case and the stairs were attached here also. You need to get the water out of the basement, (sump pump). Just take your time, and don't let it get you down.
2006-11-25 12:09:22 · answer #3 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main beams in your house are above a little diy project like building a staircase. Please have a contractor look at it. Tell him you want to do as much of the work yourself as you can, but he/she will have a good idea of what is involved.
2006-11-25 12:00:42 · answer #4 · answered by just browsin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your friend has framed houses, they should easily be able to help - most staircases are built during the framing process.
2006-11-25 12:00:04 · answer #5 · answered by Dolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your friends background. Often when you start to correct one problem other issues pop up. I'd go with a pro, someone is insured and bonded. This is no place to cut corners.
2006-11-25 12:02:15 · answer #6 · answered by father of 4 husband of 1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i suggest tht u move.....wat if ur trying to do it and like the whole house breaks apart...cuz c'mon its 90 years old!!!
2006-11-25 12:00:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hire a carpenter.
2006-11-25 11:58:58 · answer #8 · answered by 120 IQ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T TOUCH.................
GET CERTIFIED AND LICENSED CARPENTER...........
2006-11-25 12:00:05 · answer #9 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋