Projects – Page 2 – projects on the go

Structural Engineer

2025010520250103 by Allan

I met a Structural Engineer today. We had a look at various parts of the house to determine why there is such a slope in the east half of the structure. We have determined:

Concrete footings in the crawlspace had broken apart due to slumping in the soil.
Upright supports have moved due to soil slumping, and 6×6 notched support beams have split and come away from the house.
The living room and bathroom addition to the structure was done poorly. They cut through many of the framing members (balloon frame studs) to open up the walls. (See diagram below.)

So, to correct this, most likely:

Screw piling will be put in the front and rear of the property.
A beam will span this length under the house.
An LVL bulkhead will be added to the living room / bathroom span.

I will open up the floor in the 2nd storey to expose more of those cut-through timbers and email him pictures.

I did a brief laser level check. (The laser should be 1-5/8″ above the floor, from my measurements. Funny – nothing in the manual stating this.) This shows that, in about 4 feet, the floor dips down about 2-1/16 inches. Wow!

sub-flooring, bricks, range, banister, and smells

2025010520250102 by Allan

The second room to get plywood subfloor added (no proboard yet) – the bedroom (previously the living room).

The old hardwood flooring has been stripped in this room. Only the previous bedroom, which will become the living room, is yet to be stripped. The bathroom is another story, which I’ll get to later.

proposed explanations on bricks in balloon framing wall cavities

2024122120241220 by Allan

I have searched online for a while and, up to now, came up short, until now.

3 Reasons Old Houses May Have Stones Between The Studs

I was searching for a reason 1403 was built with bricks inside the wall cavities. Built in 1906, the original (first phase, so to speak) of the house was balloon framed, meaning the wall studs go from bottom to top, unlike modern style platform framing.

About 80 or so years ago, people started abandoning balloon framing. Why?

The price and availability of long timber, some as long as 35 feet.
The lack of fire block in this type of building, with fire being able to lick up the entire wall without breaks.
The skill required for balloon framing, compared to the simplicity of platform framing.

But, up to now, I couldn’t figure out why there are bricks in the wall cavities. Are they structural? Were they pretty good insulation back in 1906? Facade? Was it the original exterior? Why bricks? I don’t have a final, definitive answer, but this is really close.

half-inch ply

2024121820241217 by Allan

I’ve changed my mind. I decided to go with 1/2″ plywood rather than 5/8″ for several reasons.

1. The house has to be jacked up on one side. It’s drooping. If I use 5/8″ ply, it won’t bend over top the ‘hump’ in the floor.

2. The house has to be jacked up on one side. When it is, I need a little more flexibility in the structure of the flooring.

3. 5/8″ is too dang heavy. I have to cart it all up to the 2nd floor!

Logic Lumber was good about exchanging it. And there it sits, wait to be used.

Also, the furring continues.

proboard, plywood, flooring

2024121820241216 by Allan

First comes the proboard (a type of medium density particle board) and 5/8″ plywood from Logic Lumber.

Next, the flooring from End Of the Roll.

That’s the easy part. Now I have to try to jamb it all up in the top floor of the house. Yay.

furring 2x2x & 2x3s in kitchen

2024121820241215 by Allan

I have finally put up the first furring boards to increase the insulation cavity in the walls. 2x3s are used in the one wall to accommodate the kitchen sink plumbing. 2x2s are used elsewhere.

finally – bare walls

20241214 by Allan

So I finally have the plaster, lath boards, panelling, etc. off the walls in the kitchen. <phew>

Next: Kitchen wiring, insulation, vapour barrier, drywall.

After that: Flooring. Then kitchen cabinets.

In the mean time, …

… a lot of cleanup. So far, 29 contractor bags of plaster, lath, insulation, etc.

more cleanup, dump run, new kitchen (in boxes)

2024121420241213 by Allan

Okay, so I was going to start the furring boards and insulation today, but the whole suite needed cleanup.

first insulation furring boards

2024121320241212 by Allan

I’ve cleaned up as much as I have to to start insulating the walls and ceilings. I’m adding 2×2 and 2×3 furring strips to the studs to increase the wall volume for insulation. In one wall with plumbing along it, however, I have to furrow out 2.5″ (2×3) to accommodate a 2″ pipe.

The first furring strip was put up, and the second followed.

siding, GPS insulation, frozen barrels

20241212 by Allan

I cleaned up a bit at 520. I organized the remaining GPS insulation panels, wooden siding, old lath boards in an old wash tub, etc. There are two frozen rain barrels there, one on its side. It’s impossible to lift it up. If things get warmer, it’ll drain.