House in Disarray need help - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Chris22298 · 03-28-2009, 03:43 PM

Ok I moved into this Rental. After about six months of living here and after suffering from one of the worst winters ever here I have noticed several issues. Now I need confirmation and this is what I'm looing for. I have noticed cracks in the sheetrock seams. I have also noticed compression in between the sheetrock that would suggest the weight of the house is compressing it. So after seeing this I ended up sitting on my other couch(something I never do as it does not have direct view of the bootube) and noticed, now this house has vaulted ceilings and the kitchen is a makeshift wall constructed around the beam support. The ceiling in 16' to the main beam and supported by a 4x4x16. So I notice this 4x4 bent really bad so I opened up the wall that supports the rest of the main beam and supports the 2nd story and this sits on 2- 2x4's. Above this there is a stress crack along the corner bead. I go upstairs and noticed that the header above the stairs is compressed to the point that the corner bead is bent and now showing.

Now I go down into the basement(full finished) and pop the drop ceiling where the support should be and find that it is sitting on just one joist. I'm pretty positive that it should be 3 joists together under a main support so I go to the one where the 4x4 support sits and notice that that one is sitting on a triple joist set up. The finished basement has 7' ceilings and I'm pretty sure anything over 6' should have a lolli-column support under those joists. Now for the scary part which i know all of you are saying man that is already pretty scary....lol.....but anyway I go into the attic and notice that the rafters are 2x6. I thought they would have to be 2x8 or better on any pitch above 10(please correct me if I am wrong on this) so after seeing this i see that several of the Rafters were cut short and literally have shims filling in the distance and some of them are over 1" short.
The homeowner wants to sell and they have not heeded my warnings on this and are trying to get us out because I have illuminated the problems. I know this house is in trouble and do not want a perspective buyer to get taken for this type of repair but everyone in this field knows that most real estate companies have there own building inspectors that will pass the house just to get it sold. I need to know how to stop the potential of this happening to a perspective buyer and is my analysis correct on this house. I am pretty positive it is definitely built incorrect. I live in PA too so building code up until the last few years have been lax. So all information based on what I have said would be appreciated.... Thanks peers.............Chris

J F · 03-28-2009, 04:20 PM

**ProWallGuy** · 03-28-2009, 04:28 PM

So, what was the question again?

rbsremodeling · 03-28-2009, 04:31 PM

Look Dude, take your long winded ass over to the DYI forum.

OCRS · 03-28-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbsremodeling

Look Dude, take your long winded ass over to the DYI forum.

Handymanservice · 03-28-2009, 04:41 PM

A little misrepresentation in your "Renovation Contractor" huh?

Chris G · 03-28-2009, 04:47 PM

Does your landlord know you are dismantling his house?

neolitic · 03-28-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris G

Does your landlord know you are dismantling his house?

Could be why they want him out?

**framerman** · 03-28-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris G

Does your landlord know you are dismantling his house?

that's what I was thinking.

1mancrew · 03-28-2009, 05:01 PM

Take a jumbo red marker and write "DO NOT BUY THIS HOUSE" on the walls!

greg24k · 03-28-2009, 05:12 PM

Come on guys he is a remodeling contractor, help him out

Could you explain the problem again please and while you doing so, call your neighbor and ask him to do this:

willworkforbeer · 03-28-2009, 05:55 PM

I wouldnt stay in any house that had a bent 4x4

rbsremodeling · 03-28-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg24k

Come on guys he is a remodeling contractor, help him out

Could you explain the problem again please and while you doing so, call your neighbor and ask him to do this:

That is actually pretty slick can I steal that for a logo?

Stewy · 03-28-2009, 06:09 PM

I think your only concern should be the house coming down on your head, maybe look for a new place.

silvertree · 03-28-2009, 06:20 PM

Chris,
Please listen carefully, this may save you.
Profound Unguental Compressive Entropec stress is the problem.
Or PUCE as we call it is causing the symptoms you are seeing. I would first call a PUCE engineer and get his recommendation, I'm sure the property owner would be grateful if you did this, considering what could happen if you ignore this situation.
For now though I suggest you find another home, if you can't do that right way get a few rolls of duct tape and an old pith helmet (a bicycle helmet would work also) tape all breakable to the walls using the duct tape, and duct tape all your doors shut when not in use, cabinet, stove, fridge, everything. When a PUCE event happens things can go flying. I would pee in the sink from now on, you don't want to be near flying china if that toilet explodes, put a sleeping bag around the toilet and duct tape it tight.
The National PUCE hot line number can be gotten from 411, it is different in every state. You are in my prayers, good luck my brave soldier.

BMAN · 03-28-2009, 07:03 PM

Thanks for calling us peers!! that will really fool us into thinking you are a remodeling contractor. What I think you are is a renter trying to

your landlord. if thats the case you may still findhelp here but not now cuz you lied.

greg24k · 03-28-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbsremodeling

That is actually pretty slick can I steal that for a logo?

Help yourself RBS

trptman · 03-28-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris22298

Now for the scary part which i know all of you are saying man that is already pretty scary

I loved that line too.

ol' chris is pretty scary.
If I had a tenant that took it upon himself to start opening up the walls....

you might find a body floating in the local river

Jason W · 03-28-2009, 09:00 PM

You're renting, deal with it or buy your own place.

silvertree · 03-28-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbsremodeling

That is actually pretty slick can I steal that for a logo?

I think its cool too!
I'm going to use it for my new commercial branch of Silvertree, I'm calling it Upthetree Commercial Design Build.