With the recent story of the porch collapse, something I saw this afternoon made me call the building inspection department at my city hall.
I was driving through an older neighbourhood (about 60-70 year-old houses) and noticed a renovation job on a three story house. The house appears to have been converted to three apartments as many are in this low to medium income neighbourhood. There were two balconies stacked above a porch with the original fluted wooden columns at each outside corner.
When I drove back through about 1 hour later, I noticed that the posts had been completely removed! Two balconies were just hanging there cantelevered on joists that are either nailed into wedges inserted into brick joints or, probably in this case since they were still standing, extensions of house’s floor joists. In either case, this looked extremely dangerous and foolish. These were about 7′ deep balconies and the second floor one was supporting a roof for crying out loud!
I phoned the building inspection office and left them a voicemail. I hope they drive over there ASAP and prevent a potentially fatal accident. The house is very close to a busy sidewalk to boot!
Replies
Pictures! Pictures!
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
I think they just built the porch and roof as a torsion box and fooled him. :)
That's it! The contractor was more of a craftsman and artist than he was given credit for.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt