Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
we have a house of 130 years old. the floor is sagging. We have to put bed riser on the bed leg to level the bed, and the same thing in tables, cabinet..
We know nothing about the house or its type construction.
In general with misalignments due to settling of some type. You do an analysis over the affected area to determine direction / amount of out level. Best to make a "Map" on paper that plots the particulars. Once you have the details of the problem in hand, start looking for solutions.
Then you relate that to the piers, foundation or whatever that is the under lying cause. Then decide what will be the solution. Jacking up the structure in the proper spots can be a good solution but is not the only one depending on the circumstances.
One example might be the joists have sagged, improper installations on too big of centers. Jacking and bracing might be another solution. All varies depending on the details.
130 years old. What you are experiencing is sinking, not settling. Jacking up a pier is just a bandaid. You could use a house jack to jack up the girder and shove some solid shims between but the pier will continue to sink. In those days there were no proper footings.
From what you say you have some serious problems. I highly suggest you find some money for a Structural Engineer. Dont panic, the house can be saved but it probably ain't gona be cheap. If you choose not to fix it then the home will be unsalable and unmortgageable. You are stuck.
I grew up in a home that was build in the 1860's as were many, many homes in town. They ALL had jacks somewhere in the basement and they are all still standing and just fine. I would look to a structural engineer to make sure all is well but it might need some jacks in the basement.
We bought a tippy tilty saggy 1870s 40 something years ago.
After one new foundation wall, some jacking and reinforcing... it got stabilized.
Jacking was limited due to not wanting to upset doors, windows, additions, already accomodating the slants.
So the floors that needed doing had to be done by either replacing or by adding a new level layer.
There are a few that still require some furniture props
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
First have to determine why........
