I’m getting ready to tackle some urban renewal.
It’s a grand old Victorian townhouse with more sq. ft.
than my four bedroom colonial, but it was neglected
and there is extensive water damage.
Q1. Joists were lagged into the brick walls as it was
being built, and I now face the problem of replacing
them with new joists that are longer than the TH is
wide. I have this vision of making a giant bow and
easing them into the existing structure. Ideas?
Q2. The basement has a dirt floor and stone walls.
I grew up in a Victorian farmhouse and we had a
concrete floor and stone walls, but I wasn’t around
when the floor went in. How is that done?
Q3. Any good references on BUILDING windows
and doors? I know how to select and install. I
want a new challenge!
Last Question: Where would I get plans for a
big wood kiln? I have a lot of old wood to dry
out.
Thanks!
MoreThanIcanChew
Replies
try this discusion board on kiln.
http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/sawdry.pl
Thanks!
"Q1. Joists were lagged into the brick walls as it was
being built, and I now face the problem of replacing
them with new joists that are longer than the TH is
wide. I have this vision of making a giant bow and
easing them into the existing structure. Ideas?"
I assume you mean the joists are set into 'pockets' in the brick on either wall.
The 'bow' technique sounds improbable, scary, and difficult.
One method is to secure a continous steel or wood ledger along the wall to support the new joists (abandon pockets altogether).
Another would be to bolt steel angle of proper capacity to the end of each joist that extends into the pocket (after positioning).
If possible, the ledger technique is probably going to be easier, and you get dead level floors as a bonus.
Consider first whether the existing ones could be sistered onto, then you could get leveling and strengthening from the sisters, and structurally 'reuse' just the joist ends resting in the pockets.
Edited 12/5/2003 1:59:17 PM ET by csnow
Consider first whether the existing ones could be sistered onto, then you could get leveling and strengthening from the sisters, and structurally 'reuse' just the joist ends resting in the pockets.
Chances are, the ends are the only part that is rotten. Probably better off salvaging the joist lumber & re-using it somehow in the renovation.
If the pockets happen to be deeper than say 4", then you might be able to get new joists in - but 'springing' them prolly isn't gonna happen. The attic joists in my 1916 Sears Roebuck are 1x... but I don't see that being feasible today.
I assume you mean the joists are set into 'pockets' in the brick on either wall.
Yeah, that's it! Thanks for the suggestions.
I'll meditate some on how to "hook" something into those pockets,
and try to salvage the wood that's in there, maybe as flooring.
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
You can dig one side deeper by getting in there with a 1" masonry bit. That way you can slip one end of the new joist into the deeper pocket then slip the other end in the other pocket. If they're already pretty deep you might not have to drill them deeper, but you need at least 2" of firm brick on each end (or is it more? I dunno)
gawd this place is great!
"Q2. The basement has a dirt floor and stone walls.
I grew up in a Victorian farmhouse and we had a
concrete floor and stone walls, but I wasn't around
when the floor went in. How is that done?"
Well, often this used to be done (without machinery) by putting in a dry mix of portland and gravel(or whatever), and wetting it down. Not very strong or even, but better than dirt. This is sometimes known as a "rat pour", because one purpose was to help keep out rodents.
These days, basement floors get elaborate drainage systems, vapor barriers, radon barriers, thermal breaks, radiant heating...
More and more, building restrictions and other factors drive folks to want to convert basements into habitable space.