Argh structural problem

garak112 · 19 Oct 2013 at 20:51

We recently bought a house and had a lot of work to do, but it was mainly cosmetic.

Unfortunately today by brother in law noticed a sag in the roof above our front door. The door is upvc and sits in a wide opening and clearly the old frame was structural - there is now nothing supporting the bricks on the inner skin of the wall and it has cracked right in the middle.

Any idea what this is going to cost to fix?

garak112 · 19 Oct 2013 at 21:04

Nightglow said:
No photo's of the outside view.

I would seriously looking at getting some acrow props supporting everything in the hall sooner than later.
Also a few acrow props & strongboys supporting the outside front wall above the doorway.

There isn't much wall above the door to support - its a single story with the roof starting just above the door and rising to the second floor.

Like one of these houses:
http://www.needaproperty.com/proper...ce=Trovit&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Premium

garak112 · 19 Oct 2013 at 21:42

There is some evidence over the kitchen window (which again is single floor) but not as severe and the window is much older so has obviously been like it for 15-20 years.

Edit: I should add that the kitchen window has a wooden lintel above it so it is not unsupported.

Edit 2: What should I be paying to have a job like that done? If I couldn't afford it would it be ok with acrows holding it up for a few months?

garak112 · 19 Oct 2013 at 21:58

ultim said:
Was this not part of your house buying report?

We had a home buyers survey and not a full structural one so I am not sure that it would have been covered, although I would have thought a trained person would have spotted it.

garak112 · 22 Oct 2013 at 19:56

Had my dad round today and he has come up with a plan for repair.

The issue is that 3 joists have dropped half a cm and the brick course is unsupported. He is going to prop up the joists and try to raise them back to level.

A reinforcing beam is going to be placed alongside the wall plate (which is jointed above the door) and screwed to the joists. The bottom course of bricks will then be removed and a 3m steel inserted.