#structural repair

[mistressmaker]

Things they Don't Tell You How to Fix on House Flipping Shows

Most people don't know how or just completely avoid structural house maintenance. When you go to renovate you need to try and fix it to the best of your ability. Some things I've come across and have had to fix:

Termite damage

Poorly built 'structural walls'

2x4s cut down to 2x2s holding up joists which caused floors to sag

Joists just completely cut off and left unsupported

Giant holes cut through the sill plate

Joists improperly supported across long spans (no blocking or bridging)

Notched joists splitting

Sinking posts

Now I'm not a carpenter, or a structural engineer for that matter, but I've been referencing Renovating Old Houses by George Nash. It's got a lot of really great DIY information for fixing common issues in old houses. I definitely recommend picking up a copy if you plan on doing any structural work on your house new or old! There were things in there I could not find through searching the web.

Another great reference is the This Old House YouTube channel and Home RenoVision. I have really gotten a lot of great information from these resources and fully recommend them!

If anyone is interested in how I solved any of the above listed problems in details leave a note! Otherwise, those references have all the information you need!

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[mistressmaker]

Do's and Dont's of Old Farm House Basements

For some people, basements are pretty scary and I do not blame people who feel that way. They come with a completely different set of problems than just having a crawl space, especially when your house is 120 years old like mine.

Let's talk about what a good foundation looks like.

For anyone who wants to embark on their own home renovation journey and is about to buy a house, these tips will be essential for making good decisions and when to run like hell. Maybe you already own a house, some of these tips will still be helpful to you. Keep reading for all this good info, but don't forget to follow me for more DIY crafting and house renovation projects as well as tons of useful info!

Don't buy a house with concave basement walls

Don't buy a house with concave basement walls

This is a run like hell moment. If your foundation looks like it's pushing in or pushing out, that's a really expensive job to fix it, like thousands of dollars. Generally, this is caused by hydrostatic pressure build up which pushes in on the walls.

Do ignore efflorescence - it's not mold

The picture above is actually from my own basement. That white patch you see? Efflorescence. It's a build up of minerals from water that seeps through the porous sandstone. It's not harmful, but it does indicate that some water redirection could be done around the foundation. However, sandstone will inevitably always absorb moisture so this isn't going away soon, but it's not harmful so it. shouldn't scare you off.

Do check the grout between the stones.

Old field stone foundations like mine will need to be repointed. You will want to stick your fingers between the stones and pick at the grout to see how much of it is loose. If it's really bad, there will already be gaps between many of the stones. This is not the end of the world, but it does affect the structural integrity of the house. I paid a mason to come in and repoint my foundation from the interior, as well as my chimneys for $1,800. They also painted the stone to help will humidity issues caused from the porous sandstone. It's also a pretty easy and cheap job to do yourself if you have the time!

Don't plan on finishing the basement how it is

Did you know that prior to the 90's, no basement was every designed to be 'finished'? That means, if you really want to finish your basement, updated drainage around the base and exterior needs to happen before. Depending on the age and materials used to construct your basement, cost wise it might not be feasible to properly finish your basement. Let's say you skip that step and finish. it anyway. You run the risk of any items in your basement being destroyed either by high amounts of humidity, which causes mold, or through a flood. Even if your property has never flooded, you should always expect the worst. My cousin bought a house with a semi-finished basement that had never flooded. It took one torrential downpour that flooded the entire city for his belongings to all be destroyed.

Do inspect the condition of the joists.

Your joist generally sit on your foundation wall and run to a main beam, or to another foundation wall. In old homes like my own, it was not uncommon to notch the joists so that they would sit nicely on the foundation or in the beam. This was used in lieu of the braces/brackets we use today. The issue with this is that it decreased the effective depth of the joist since the underside is unsupported. In areas of the house that have heavy objects, or load bearing walls, one can observe these joists start to split at the notching point. It's not the end of the world, but you should plan on lifting the joist with a bottle jack, putting in a brace with nails (NOT screws! They do not have the sheer strength!). This increases the strength of your joist significantly and will prevent further cracking!

The other thing you will want to check is how level the joists are. My house is very unlevel compared to new builds, but not unreasonably so. The decreased strength and long joist runs have caused bowing in my joists. I've just made sure they're fully supported moving forward while I level out the house so they have the strength to hold new additions!

Don't buy a house with many massive holes through joists and the sill plate

The picture above is once again from my own basement after a repair had been made (Yes, I used screws in the brackets, I have to go back with nails and fix it... I blame my dad 🙃). The plumber who put in the stack behind the new wood, just decided to cut off a joist and leave it completely unsupported. I can't believe anyone in their right mind would just leave a joist unsupported like that... Don't do that. But behind the stack, is part of my sill plate, which is pretty well irreparable at his point because of all the holes cut into it for pipe. For small pipe or electric, cutting a hole in the bottom 1/4ish of a joist or sill plate is fine, but making large holes destroys the structural integrity of your home. That's because it's the depth of the wood that gives the strength to hold up your home. These are repairable, so it's not the end of the world, but it does take some knowledge and time. Epoxy, sistering, and scabbing are all methods used to repair joists and sill plates. However, I would run if you see any major house sagging or other noticeable problems caused through this type of damage.

Don't buy a house with abundant moisture problems

Moisture causes mold, but the mold shouldn't scare you, even if it's black mold, as long as you can control the moisture. One, mold does not have to be black to send out mycotoxins so black mold isn't the only enemy. Two, mold is harmless with insufficient moisture. Mold needs a food source, like wood or drywall paper, plus water to grow. The truth is, mold is always present in every home whether you like it or not. Whether it's active is another thing. My house is over 100 years old, IT HAS MOLD. All that mold is super inactive because no water is leaking and I have a dehumidifier in my basement. So am I going to spend thousands of dollars to clean it up? Hell no. I'm going to invest in keeping my house dry and the mold won't affect the air quality. However, you shouldn't invest in a house that's going to be difficult to keep dry. My house is on top of a hill so I just have normal porous sandstone humidity issues which are pretty well controllable.

I feel like I covered some really important topics that are important to evaluating basement and foundation quality. I probably missed somethings, but I feel like these are the topics I've come across the most making improvements to my basement foundation and/or made me swear at the previous owners for doing really dumb things.

Have questions that I didn't answer here?

Hit that reblog button and type in your question! I'm sure someone else would find it equally as helpful.

Have your own helpful tips?

Pleaser add to this post! Reblog and add your useful information. Let's make basements less scary!!!

[firemasterrestorations]

Structural Repair Services in Atlanta: Rebuild Strong After Fire Damage

Fire damage can affect much more than the appearance of your property. High temperatures often weaken walls, roof structures, floors, and other load-bearing components, making professional structural repairs essential for safety.

If you're searching for reliable Structural Repair Services in Atlanta, it's important to choose a restoration company that can inspect, repair, and rebuild damaged structural elements while meeting local building codes.

Why Structural Repairs Matter

✔ Restore your property's structural integrity ✔ Prevent further damage and safety hazards ✔ Improve long-term property value ✔ Ensure code-compliant reconstruction ✔ Get professional support with insurance claims

Whether it's a residential home or commercial building, timely structural repairs can make the recovery process faster and more efficient.

FireMaster Restorations provides comprehensive structural repair solutions, including framing repairs, wall reconstruction, roof restoration, flooring repairs, and complete rebuilding after fire damage.

👉 Learn more: https://firemasterrestorations.com/services/structural-repair/

If your property has experienced fire-related structural damage, working with experienced restoration professionals can help restore both safety and peace of mind.

[renovaremodeling]

Maintaining Coastal Property Value in Delray Beach

Living in Delray Beach offers an incredible lifestyle, but the salt air and humidity require diligent care to keep your home in top shape. Protecting your property involves more than cosmetic fixes; it requires addressing the hidden impact of the coastal environment on structural integrity. COMBATTING COASTAL ELEMENTS Constant moisture and salt spray contribute to material degradation, such as stucco spalling or steel corrosion. Using specialized sealants and corrosion-resistant materials is essential to defend against these challenges and ensure long-term stability. IDENTIFYING WARNING SIGNS Early detection of water intrusion around window frames or soft spots in flooring can prevent systemic damage. Proactive maintenance often costs significantly less than emergency renovations. ENGINEERING FOR DURABILITY In hurricane-prone regions, structural engineering is paramount. Professional construction teams focus on reinforced footings and continuous load paths to protect homes during storm seasons. This includes high-performance impact windows, which provide added security and energy efficiency for the home year-round.

[gubbicivilengineering]

Shotcrete Concrete for Structural Repair | Shotcreting Work

Learn about shotcrete concrete and the shotcreting process used in structural repair. Discover methods, applications, benefits, and why shot

Shotcrete Concrete and Shotcreting Method in Structural Repair

Shotcrete concrete is a modern construction technique used for fast and effective structural repair. The shotcreting process involves spraying concrete onto surfaces, ensuring strong adhesion and durability.

It is widely used in RCC repair, tunnels, retaining walls, and industrial structures. Shotcrete offers excellent strength, reduced material wastage, and quick application, making it ideal for repair and rehabilitation projects.

Explore how shotcrete concrete enhances structural life and performance with advanced shotcreting methods.

[finovohub]

Bombay HC asks Goa govt to fix responsibility in Kala Academy works

The Bombay high court has said it was confident the Goa government would fix responsibility on officials who bypassed the tendering process for the structural repair and renovation of Kala Academy in Panaji, a TOI report stated. A division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Ashish Chavan said this while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an independent inquiry into the works…

Bombay HC asks Goa govt to fix responsibility in Kala Academy works

[radinconstructions]

Structural Repair Essentials: When to Call in the Experts

In the world of construction and property management, structural integrity is not just a buzzword—it’s the very foundation of safety, longev

[gubbicivilengineering]

Enhance Structural Durability with Carbon Wrapping for Slabs by Gubbi Civil Engineers

Gubbi Civil Engineers Limited® stands out as a leader in innovative structural repair solutions, offering cutting-edge services like Carbon Wrapping for Slabs. With decades of expertise in structural strengthening, Gubbi Civil Engineers Limited® ensures improved durability and load-bearing capacity. This service is crucial for commercial buildings, bridges, and industrial structures. Trust Gubbi Civil Engineers Limited® for advanced Carbon Wrapping for Slabs to protect your assets from cracks, corrosion, and damage.