Purchased a house built in 1800. Sagging floors part of the charm. Now after lots of rain, unusually warm period and then heavy snow and ice (freezing) my front door wont shut, the doorframe inside to my living room is split quite a bit up top and the corner to the left of the front door, inside the living room is split top to bottom where the two walls meet. Under the living room (left of the front door) is a crawl space. To the right of the front door, front room is basement with granite rock and cement block foundation. What could have caused this and how can I fix it?
2007-02-17 03:31:07 · 10 answers · asked by thinker... 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
First off you should get your head examined for making the same mistake I did once! LOL
Old structures like that can be difficult to correct. You may need to do a lot of under support adjustments. This can be dangerous work to do...so beware.
In the core of outer walls and some inner walls water rot and bugs can cause the lower ends of the studs to slowly collapse causing sags. In any instance this can eventually threaten the stability of the structure.
Get with reputable builders/carpenters/contractors for at least a consultation. Don't go into renovations of this scale blindly. You could put your self in a predicament....ever see that old Tom Hanks movie The Money Pit? Those thing DO happen...TRUST me!
2007-02-17 05:42:38 · answer #1 · answered by Crazy Bi Chick 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sound like part of your foundation is sinking due to time and weather. You could probably go into the crawl space and shim the floors above the footings, but this would really be just a band-aid. What you would need is a contractor specializing in renovation. The foundation needs to be fixed, re-elevated, and the soil around them re-compacted. Unfortunately fixing the problem is more than even an above average do-it-yourselfer should attempt.
2007-02-17 03:46:47 · answer #2 · answered by NubbY 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if the foundation is moving with the heaving of the surrounding soil because of the climate.
You might want to call in an expert on foundations and see what needs to be done. If you can, get estimates from three different companies just to ensure that you aren't being taken for a ride.
2007-02-17 03:42:40 · answer #3 · answered by mamasquirrel 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ty Penington from Extreme Makeover House Addition.
2007-02-17 03:38:34 · answer #4 · answered by lola 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
first of all what do you think you would look like in 200yrs a little wrinkly and cracked right well settling of house an old age is whats doing it and you need a good experienced carpenter for this project
2007-02-17 05:28:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the main beams in the structure are warped or a few are broken
the weight Bering wall needs fixed with new beams
2007-02-17 03:42:02 · answer #6 · answered by alleykhad607 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Foundation problems are the reason for your problems, you need to have the foundation repaired first, or the problems will return.
2007-02-17 03:40:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
you most likely need to get the support checked...at this age the wood may be decaying
2007-02-17 03:39:51 · answer #8 · answered by dana L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it sounds as if you need someone who is good at foundations.
2007-02-17 03:41:13 · answer #9 · answered by l l 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your foundation is shifting or sinking.
2007-02-17 04:41:19 · answer #10 · answered by zocko 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋