I've owned a house from 1969 since 2006.
The more I've come to know the house, the more I've noticed that the porch leans a bit awkwardly. Up until now, there has been a lot of flowerbed (with bushes and nuisances) around the porch. So, it's been a bit difficult to figure out why it's leaning (as if it has settled). I've suspected that the post in one corner has sunk. A solution to this (which harmonizes with an enclosure with a crawl space for a water heater) would be to cast a slab under the porch with the posts dowelled and cast in place. That should halt the sinking. The company that has taken on the job is coming in week 31. But now I'm not sure how that will go.
To prepare for the company, I took the opportunity to clear away the flowerbed and was about to lift the floor. But before I started with the floor, I see that one of the beams underneath is starting to buckle, which is causing the porch to lean. (It might be hard to see in the pictures, but I also think the post is leaning a bit in the opposite direction, just as if it's trying to bend like a knee joint.) To be honest, I think it looks like there's an imminent risk of collapse!!
I lifted a few floorboards to get a better look (but I'm not sure if I dare to detach much more now).
What do you think the insurance company will say, is this something that could be claimed on a homeowners insurance, i.e., BEFORE a "real" damage occurs?
Looking at the construction itself, you see that it's just a few nails braced between the beams. (I would call it shoddy, but I'm just a DIYer).
Any tips on what I can do about it both immediately and in the long term are very welcome!!!
Best regards,
Fredrik
Your pillars seem to be cast in old asbestos ventilation pipes. Make sure the company doesn't charge excessively for handling these. Better to do it yourself in that case.
Why not just:
1. Cancel the contractors.
2. Lift the joist slightly to relieve the beam (jack or strong friends).
3. Straighten the beam that sags.
4. Take a 45x45 rule and screw it into the "corner" so that the beam's position is fixed in the floor joist. Do so on several joists.
5. Raise the entire joist so that it is level.
6. Place the appropriate number of wooden pieces on the pillar and lower the beam.
Right now I'm a bit in shock!
But with your description, it sounds like it can be fixed at least!
Thank you!
Now I might be able to sleep after all!
Best regards,
Fredrik
It wasn't pretty, but it seems to be slightly too small and light to cause a catastrophic collapse. You can get a rule that you temporarily attach inside the existing rule sitting on the foundations. Then support it underneath with some small boards in a few places. Use a regular pillar jack and gently lift one spot at a time. As you lift, place the boards under the temporary bearing beam until everything is level. Observe where the ceiling moves as you lift to ensure it doesn’t gape too much anywhere. Once everything is level, it's time to decide whether the existing bearing beam should be replaced or just straightened and fastened better than it is now.
Nothing to lose sleep over there! Sleep on it and you'll probably get rätsida with it tomorrow if you want!
Well said!
Exactly what Fredan44 needs
I could also imagine gluing + screwing a 45x45 rule vertically into the calving beam, and then drilling and plugging/screwing into the plinth to secure this auxiliary rule to keep the porch's floor rule in order.
You don't need a craftsman for that! Just follow MathiasS's tips and also keep an eye on the roof as Avemo writes, and you'll fix it with a jack, a screwdriver, some wooden planks, a bit of 45x45, and a handful of screws of appropriate length.
If the plinth is leaning or loose, you can secure it to the wall and/or the other plinths once you've straightened everything out.
You can easily fix that yourself.
If you're unsure, consult someone knowledgeable, but in my world, that's easy and cheap to fix on your own.
Jacks or levers will be helpful.
Maybe adjust a plinth, new plinths might be necessary, but placing a piece of fiberboard every four years is what I would do if it continues to sink.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BUILDING STRUCTURE!
If there has been any corner-cutting in this way, it might be elsewhere too, not fun if it comes loose against the wall.
Now, I don't want to worry you, inspect the attachment and possibly reinforce with angle brackets or other fittings intended for the purpose.
Hi!
Thanks for all the answers and help!
The work was completed about a month ago.
Now it feels like I can relax.
Now the porch stands on the new slab.
Later I will build up around it and shift so that one stands on the wall.
Best regards,
Fredrik
Looks nice, I think. Good to have some extra storage under the stairs too. Seems like a good place to store planks, old buckets, wheelbarrows, the children's winter toys and some other junk.
Hello!
No, there isn't any paper between the slab and the posts, which there should be.
But the idea is to enclose the space under the porch, remove the posts, and have the porch supported by the wall. The porch will then be enclosed. I hope to finish this within a year.
Regards,
Fredrik
