Foundation Stabilization and Repair/settling/sloping floors

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Expert: Jim Hise - 2/25/2008


Question
I have a 1920 western bungalow in Cleveland, Ohio.  The center of the home has a fireplace.  The floors are sloping toward the fireplace (6ft by 2.5ft)  from all angles approx 1-2" down from front to back and side to side (total dimension of floor plan approx. 25ft x 25ft).  It can also be visualized from the basement.  There are two beams from the sides of the house extending from the foundation to the chimney that support the overlap of the floor joists which, I believe are original.  The slope can be visualized along these beams from the sides.  I would like to use adjustable steel posts to raise the low end of these beams and add new posts with a header beam to raise the joists the entire width of the chimney in front and back of the chimney.  This would give the joists level support across the entire width of the house.  Is this the best method?  If so, my question comes with how to support the top (what type of beam? steel vs. wood? What size?) and bottom of the supports.  I also have a concern whether or not the basement floor can support this weight or do I have to pour a separate footer for each post?

Answer
Anthony,
       It seems to me as though you are going about this the right way.
For the bottom support footing I would pour a new 1'round footing for each location using a 1' sono tube for a form. If the ground below your post locations seems hard
enough to dig I would make the hole about 1 1/2' deep. If the ground is soft go deeper! I would suggest you go with a steel beam for the overhead. A wooden beam will be hard to find and handle. You can call a structural engineer for beam specs...or measure a beam in a newer home of similar size...or call your local building dept. for their opinion. Consider checking the possibility that the chimney may have settled...dragging the floor supports down with it. I've seen it before!
good luck ,jim

Foundation Stabilization and Repair

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Jim Hise

Expertise

I am the owner of EXPERT BASEMENT REPAIR in Cleveland, Ohio. see WWW.EXPERTBASEMENTREPAIR.COM for more helpful links, pricing and information on repair work and products I can identify the reasons for movement or cracking in home foundations, basements and walls. I am familiar with most waterproofing and water control methods. I am familiar with and have installed Ramjack, Dixie MacLean, and A.B.Chance™ helical and push pier systems, including tiebacks, steel beams, and rod and grout repair and also several carbon fiber stabilization products. I am currently certified to train Fortress carbon fiber installation and perform carbon repair in the greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio region. I have been involved with all aspects slope stabilization for over 10 years. Please remember to tell me what city you live in to help me answer your question up front!

Experience

17 years of structural foundation fault identification and most repair and stabilization methods. I introduced Fortress carbon fiber to this region of Ohio. I have always been on site and involved in order to monitor each project I am responsible for. I have seen high pressure sales tactics used on homeowners over the years to buy on the very first contact. The most dominant ads on this site are good examples. Be very careful when having these companies in your home.

Publications
Waterproofing magazine issue #2

Education/Credentials
Associates degree...and the school of hard knocks! Formerly certified by A.B.Chance company from 1993-2005. I have a construction and home improvement background for almost 35 years. I bought, restored and resold distressed property. I worked with 4 different foundation repair companies and am familiar with most methods. I also worked for a waterproofing company for several years. I teach ongoing education classes for home inspectors, adult education and Realtors in foundation fault identification and repair.

Past/Present Clients
Hundreds of residential, commercial and some industrial.

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