Check out some similar questions!

Cinderblocks · Feb 13, 2010, 01:38 PM

Shortly before I bought my new home the seller replaced the jacks holding up the header with support columns. They were spanned a bit farther apart than the older jacks but still no more than 8 feet each. In the contractors infinite knowledge he decided the house was raised an inch to high (or so I'm told) and lowered the house an inch. The basement is sheetrocked and apparently neither the owner nor the contractor knew there was another jack between the sheetrock and foundation wall which I am guessing is still set higher than the rest. Also there is another jack in the corner which doesn't look like it's been touched in the last 30 years. This corner jack is right under my living room and it's really really drafty in that corner. I was on the roof hanging Christmas lights this winter and that corner of the hosue had no snow on the roof despite the 4 inches on the rest of the house (it's a flat roof) Also my bedroom is right above where the floor is dipping with cracking sheetrock under the window. It is now the coldest room in the house coldest room in the house. I don't think I should finish my basement or replace my roof until this is taken care of. To the best of my knowledge this was done less than 18 months ago. I am enclosing come pictures. The ones where the header goes into the sheetrock is the kitchen side and the ones near the washer dryer are on the bedroom side. I had to tilt the camera on its side to get a pic of the jack behind the sheetrock. You can barley see it. How does one go about fixing something like this?

ballengerb1 · Feb 13, 2010, 01:51 PM

So you will be attaching those pics soon? All lolly columns should be adjusted so the main beam (not header) is flat and perfectly horizontal. Do you know the name of that contractor? I don't want you to call him but you may need his name for a future law suit, this guy should not own a hammer

Cinderblocks · Feb 13, 2010, 01:55 PM

Tell me about it. I am told it was a cash transaction and the guy has been gone for the last 2 weeks on a family emergency. Even if I did find him how could I even prove he did it? Maybe record the conversation? Once the pics finish uploading to my photobucket acct I will be sure to post them.

ballengerb1 · Feb 13, 2010, 02:00 PM

You may have no recourse with that guy or the seller unless you were given a warranty. Most sales are "as is" unless an owner knowing covered up or lied about a defect. Structural defects are rarely DIY projects due to required tools and danger to self and porperty. Consult a structural engineer for his recommendationa about raising and leveling the main beam and who eh'd recommend

Cinderblocks · Feb 13, 2010, 02:04 PM

Well the seller seems to be pretty upset and wants to sue the contractor. It wasn't a cheap job at all. What do you think it would cost to level the hosue and why is it so drafty where the remaining jacks are? Here's a link to the pictures by the way

House pictures by shaggyblondguy - Photobucket

ballengerb1 · Feb 13, 2010, 02:15 PM

Here are 3 problems I see, this must be a very old structure. The lolly columns are not adjustable and should be. The main beam is very old lumber and should be a steel beam. 3rd and last you joists appear all notched up and patched in several places with sistered in2x10s. You do need a structural engineer to get his read on the fix. I'd replace all columns with adjustable jacks, replace the beam with steel or LVL and sister all joists with new full length 2x10 or engineered floor joists