Hi,
Looking for some suggestions on options to save my 1880s carriage house 25’x30′ located in Upstate NY. The structure is leaning left to right and touching the neighbors structure. Front to back is fairly level. The lean developed from a hole in the rear right of the roof along with both roofs dumping water down onto the right side foundation beam.
The carriage house “sits” on piers with beams around the perimeter. The structure is balloon framed. Wood floor.
The carriage house has a new roof and sheathing however some of the rafters have developed cracks, previous owner installed 2×6 rafter ties.
Lots of temporary fixes have been applied from previous homeowners.
I am looking in the process of searching for permanent fixes…please let me know what you thoughts are on saving this structure.
I would like to have a foundation and slab poured.
Replies
It looks like, among other things, the roof load has pushed out the top of the wall plate in the center. You have some serious issues, and this is a case where it's probably worth getting a structural engineer out to look at it.
Thanks Andy! Any information on locating a structural engineer or builder is greatly appreciated...I can add some more pictures to the post later this week
Come alongs between the two walls to pull them back together. Hydraulic jacks to jack up the sidewalls. New foundations to support the load. This might be a fairly big job or not. Tough to tell from the photo's. The structural engineer is a good call as they are licensed so you should at minimum get decent advice, however a good builder or carpenter would be able to do just as well. The problem is knowing if your builder is good or not?
If you are confident and capable it could be DIY but you need to know your way around structure.
Yeah I do not plan to do any of the concrete or foundation work. I will however tackle the finish work once I know the structure is sound...I am in the process of getting quotes from a few local builders any tips on what to look out for when talking to potential builders would be greatly appreciated.
Contractors are only as good as their referrals. Make sure you see their work and interview a few past clients. Yada yada- same advice you'd get from anyone but pretty difficult to do perfectly.
When I'm unsure of my referred contractor I take the day off work and watch them for the first day that they are at my project. Ask lots of questions etc.
BTW I like your carriage house. It has lots of character. What do you plan to do with it once it's stable?
Thanks for the information Steve. I have always wanted a dedicated space for projects so that’s my only must have. I’m sure the other spaces will evolve into some form of storage.
The building will not be used for living space, our home has plenty of room for that :)