Today I went to look at a house from 1923 together with the inspector. He said it is built with horizontal timber on a granite base, and they have put fiberboard on the interior walls. When he crawled around in the crawl space under the living room, he said that the sill along one exterior wall is rotten, he could drive the knife in 20-30 mm. However, it was dry now. The ground around the base was also damp because the gutters aren't handling the rainwater as they should. Most of the sill was in good condition, and there was no mold growth on the floor joists.
The facade was originally rendered but was changed in the 60s-70s to vertical PVC boards (Lavella Spont), and the inspector guessed that they discovered the damage to the sill and fixed the leak.
What do you think? Can samples be taken and sent to a lab for analysis, and what would the cost be? Otherwise, there was no particularly bad smell in the basement or crawl space despite endless amounts of junk. Is it worth proceeding, and who should I turn to if so? Anticimex is an option, but I've been advised to stay away from them.
/Anders
The facade was originally rendered but was changed in the 60s-70s to vertical PVC boards (Lavella Spont), and the inspector guessed that they discovered the damage to the sill and fixed the leak.
What do you think? Can samples be taken and sent to a lab for analysis, and what would the cost be? Otherwise, there was no particularly bad smell in the basement or crawl space despite endless amounts of junk. Is it worth proceeding, and who should I turn to if so? Anticimex is an option, but I've been advised to stay away from them.
/Anders
I don't quite understand what samples you need to take and analyze? The sill is rotten due to a leak that has been fixed = replace the sill and fix the gutters, and as always, keep an eye on the moisture in the crawl space.
I had rotten sills on two sides of my house due to concrete stairs with a slight slope towards the house, which also attracted ants, but otherwise the foundation was fine. The sill was replaced, the stairs were removed, and now everything is calm and happy.
I also had/has tretex and masonite on my walls—drywall is better if you're not into building conservation, but otherwise, there are no major issues with tretex, just drywall over it if you don't like it.
In a house from 1923, you have to expect a bit of tinkering. But if this was the only major issue and the foundation is dry and free from mold, etc., without a dehumidifier and such, then congratulations
I had rotten sills on two sides of my house due to concrete stairs with a slight slope towards the house, which also attracted ants, but otherwise the foundation was fine. The sill was replaced, the stairs were removed, and now everything is calm and happy.
I also had/has tretex and masonite on my walls—drywall is better if you're not into building conservation, but otherwise, there are no major issues with tretex, just drywall over it if you don't like it.
In a house from 1923, you have to expect a bit of tinkering. But if this was the only major issue and the foundation is dry and free from mold, etc., without a dehumidifier and such, then congratulations
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Thought we might take samples to check that it isn't hussvamp. A bit unpleasant to have this in the structure. Although there were no external signs of mold or hussvamp. Only cobwebs in the crawlspace. There was no bad smell either, just a bit of a basement smell. But maybe it's exaggerated as you say.
/Anders
/Anders
Be very careful Anders!!
Cellar smell can be the smell of mold and at this time of year, it doesn't smell much in a crawl space foundation.
I have a house from 1929 with a half crawl space foundation, and I wouldn't wish the problems I've had with it on my worst enemy.
If I bought another house, I would actually choose against a crawl space foundation.
Anticimex is a joke; how can you both be an inspector and have a solution in the other hand?
It doesn't feel completely impartial.
Cellar smell can be the smell of mold and at this time of year, it doesn't smell much in a crawl space foundation.
I have a house from 1929 with a half crawl space foundation, and I wouldn't wish the problems I've had with it on my worst enemy.
If I bought another house, I would actually choose against a crawl space foundation.
Anticimex is a joke; how can you both be an inspector and have a solution in the other hand?
It doesn't feel completely impartial.