This is another part of an earlier question I asked. Apparently, the previous homeowner placed secondary supports underneath the house (crawlspace) on one side of my house. We recently had a plumber replace a sewer pipe under the house, and he may have knocked one of the supports loose. We had a Christmas party at my house this week, and ever since then, I've noticed a few cracks in the walls.
I got under the house and put the support back into place. Would this be the cause of the cracks? I'm now monitoring the cracks. I mean, literally, they formed almost overnight.
2006-12-21 23:29:55 · 6 answers · asked by peepoogenderparts 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The support next to the support that was loose was cracked down the middle, so I'm wondering if, when the other support got kicked loose, that the weight was kicked over to the next support, because that support was cracked down the middle. When I put the kicked support back into place, I had to lodge it in there. It didn't just slide in easily.
2006-12-21 23:56:06 · update #1
Monitor the cracks. If you could put the supports back in quite easily, it's very doubtful that knocking them out caused the cracks. Wish I could see the thing because one gets a sense of whether the additional support is needed or not. Have a construction guy take a look for you. He should do it on the off chance you'll have work for him one day and not charge an arm and a leg.
2006-12-21 23:36:23 · answer #1 · answered by DelK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it could be the cause of the cracks because as you stated that the plumber knocked the support rafter loose and then you had a christmas party witch added extra weight on that non supported part of the floor witch because of the extra suport not being there causes the house to sag where the extra weight is. Also it sounds like the house is old if it needed extra support there for it may be what we call settling witch old houses do most of there lives when they get older. Jack the house up little at a time until you get every thing level then put your supports back in and if possible leave jacks in for extra support, and if you need info. on the easiest way to fix your drywall e-mail me and i'll let you know. Good luck
2006-12-22 07:49:20 · answer #2 · answered by apache672004 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do your floors shake when you walk on them? If they do, there's a problem. Unless a span for a floor joist exceeds 18', 'supports' are not part of construction, it's a repair. So there's has been a problem. Supports is not the answer either, they will continue to sink in the dirt. Ur floor joists are damaged and need to be replaced or reinforced latterally. If you must use a vertical reinforcement due to cost, sink it in concrete. Make sure there is no moisture under ur house. This is a very serious problem and could lead to damage to your entire home.
2006-12-22 08:13:30 · answer #3 · answered by NIGHTSHADE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a good possibility this could cause cracks. When part of a support system is weakened it will put stress on other parts. I would try and find out if the plumber really did this and hold him responsible if he did.
2006-12-22 07:39:54 · answer #4 · answered by Deb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your home is settling. You should hire a pro to relevel your home. The support that is cracked needs to be replaced. Your local hardware or lumber yard can recommend someone to help you. You should never try and fix this yourself. Also have them to add more support to try and prevent this in the future.
2006-12-25 21:04:32 · answer #5 · answered by ghost 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a pro in there ASAP...your house is slowly sinking in on itself and the party didn't help it at all
i saw this on that "Holmes on Homes" show....great show showing builders mistakes
get a licenced contractor in there...not a general contractor and don't go cheap...get a good builder
your house is unsafe and should be repaired ASAP...
2006-12-22 08:42:50 · answer #6 · answered by D S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋