Sagging Ceiling - Reinforcing with steel beam?

Question

I am looking at buying a house while during the orginal inspection I noticed a that the ceiling was saggin in the loungeroom. It is an old style colonial house built I imagine around 1950. I had a building inspector come in today that said that is could be fixed by running a steel beam along the roof from the front of the house to the back at a 90 degree angle to the rafters and tyeing them up to it. Has anyone done this before or has advice on this situation. Do you think it will solve the issue without creating more problems? How much do you think this will set me back?
I would appreciate any and all insights!

Answer 1

I'm sorry, but a building inspector is not qualified or licensed to do structural design. Although his suggestion might work, there are other solutions that may be better. Also, you don't know what size beam to use, where to place it, and how to tie in the other building members.

But first you need to determine why the ceiling is sagging. Is there termite damage? Was the original design inadequate? Has the house been abused?

My recommendation is to hire a licensed structural engineer to examine the house and to make a recommendation. He can give you an estimate of the cost to make the repair. Ultimately, if you do decide to buy the house, he can prepare a set of drawings for submittal to your local building authority for the necessary permits.

Answer 2

Tech Dude is correct.

Before you buy this house have a reputable qualified home inspection company do a complete inspection and give you a full written report.

This way you will have an idea what you are purchasing.

If the report show numerous problem areas, you may be able to use it to bargain down the price of the house. The money you save can be use for the repairs.

Selecting contractors:

1/ Look up local contractors first. work out form the closest
to your location. If some you trust has had work done
similar to yours, ask them about the contractor they
used. If they were completely satisfied with their
contractor(s), ask for their telephone number.

2/ Select at least 5 your are interested

3/ Do a google/yahoo search on each of the contractors
you are interested in; look for praises (check who is
writing the praises to see if they have any connection to
the contractor work in groups> google/yahoo search the people giving
the praise or references)

4/ When you are satisfied with at least 3 contractors have the give you written estimates with details of work to be done, terms, guarantee(s), cost of extras (how much do they charge if they find something not covered by the contract), paymant schedules if necessary, make sure they are fully licenced and insured, and whatever else you can think of to protect yourself.

5/ If the contractor tries to pressure you into signing the
contract immediately with a high deposit (more than
15%) reject that contractor. Be careful, high pressure
can be someone who sounds very convincing, but has
many reasons why you should sign on the dotted line
NOW.

6/ It is always good to have another adult with you when a
contractor inspects the work to be done.

7/ If you do not get at least 3 written estimates signed by the contractor - not you (do not sign yet) , go back to 1.

8/ Do this until you have selected at least 3 contractors.

9/ Read over the estimates and have someone check the who has some knowledge of this type of work.

This may take longer than you thought; do not rush into it. Research, resaerch research, helps. then make your decision when you are more informed.


Good Luck

Answer 3

As long as the foundation is in good shape where the ends of that beam will be applying load to the walls, and also the walls themselves in that area are strong, it should work fine.

But the inspector suggested running it along the ROOF? If I'm not mistaken a colonial style house has an attic - the beam should go in the attic, not on the roof.

Answer 4

the reason why rooms sag is because people have the tendency to open rearing walls that support the house,even if you do put in a steel beam,it is not easy, you will need jacks to bring it up to level and you don"t know what kind of other problems you are going to run into,plus you probably need insulation,plus new plumbing and probably upgrade your electric service,plus termite problems, why not look for another house,or if you have the cash then go for it.