Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Rowhouse foundation leaning?
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ELIAGO1
05-24-07, 02:01 PM
Hey all-
My rowhouse was built around 1920. When I bought the place, I noticed that some floors were not as level as others. Everyone I spoke to (including inspector) said that everything was ok and that old houses settle. Its been two yrs now and it seems like the leaning is getting worse.
Certain rooms on the first floor lean more to one direction. On the top floor, the window trim seems to leaning in the same direction. Some of this is evident with the brick work in the front of the house.
Is it possible for the house to continue to shift/ lean. Anyone familiar with this? Not sure what to think.
THanks.
My rowhouse was built around 1920. When I bought the place, I noticed that some floors were not as level as others. Everyone I spoke to (including inspector) said that everything was ok and that old houses settle. Its been two yrs now and it seems like the leaning is getting worse.
Certain rooms on the first floor lean more to one direction. On the top floor, the window trim seems to leaning in the same direction. Some of this is evident with the brick work in the front of the house.
Is it possible for the house to continue to shift/ lean. Anyone familiar with this? Not sure what to think.
THanks.
Concretemasonry
05-24-07, 02:14 PM
You did not mention the construction of your rowhouse.
Many are built with masonry/concrete for foundations and common walls and use wood for interior walls and floors.
Concrete and masonry are rigid and do not move unless the soil moves. Wood is extremely susceptible to long term creep, shrinkage and distortion depending on some of the conditions that change annually or daily.
You may be seeing seasonal movement/distortion of wood or you may be seeing real foundation movement from the soil.
If you are concerned, contact a structural engineer to look at the situation. He will look for cracks in the masonry/concrete that may be from soil or look for cracks in wall surfaces. He will also try to determine the cause of some apparent relative movement between different parts of the structure.
Wood movement is very common and can be due to temperature and/or humidity, which will cause a visual difference. He will be able to tell you what is normal movement and what is actually a structural problem.
Dick
Many are built with masonry/concrete for foundations and common walls and use wood for interior walls and floors.
Concrete and masonry are rigid and do not move unless the soil moves. Wood is extremely susceptible to long term creep, shrinkage and distortion depending on some of the conditions that change annually or daily.
You may be seeing seasonal movement/distortion of wood or you may be seeing real foundation movement from the soil.
If you are concerned, contact a structural engineer to look at the situation. He will look for cracks in the masonry/concrete that may be from soil or look for cracks in wall surfaces. He will also try to determine the cause of some apparent relative movement between different parts of the structure.
Wood movement is very common and can be due to temperature and/or humidity, which will cause a visual difference. He will be able to tell you what is normal movement and what is actually a structural problem.
Dick