Anyone have experience with piering?
The footer on the right front wall of my 80 year old house dropped a bit, causing a crack on the right side of the house. Crack is bigger at the top and consistent with the front wall rotating out.
Researched contractors and had a highly recommended contractor install three piers, two in the front, one on the side.
The crack is now worse, and the contractor now says that is normal and the cracks rarely close. They previously told me it might not close completely, but would be better.
Questions:
1. They were supposed to install all three piers, then lift them together. Instead they installed the right one, then the two front ones. Is that likely to be contributing to the problem, or is that a non-issue?
2. Is it realistic to close the crack? If so, how?
3. How would you handle this situatino? Should I pay them (I have not, yet – this work was just done).
Thanks.
Replies
No responses in 4 days??
Food for thought to start the conversation ...
Sounds like a bit of a structural problem ... and it was 'solved' by a contractor. That may be a mistake. A structural engineer should have looked at it. Maybe it's not too late. If the engineer agrees w/ the contractor ... you pay him. If he strongly disagrees, you don't. Might be worth some peace of mind to have one look at this.
Around here piering will get win you a stay in the hotel with bars.
Sounds like a bit of a structural problem ... and it was 'solved' by a contractor. That may be a mistake. A structural engineer should have looked at it. Maybe it's not too late. If the engineer agrees w/ the contractor ... you pay him. If he strongly disagrees, you don't. Might be worth some peace of mind to have one look at this.
I probably should have hired an engineer (other than myself) before the job, not after. In any event, the engineer agreed the job was not done right, the contractor still wanted to be paid, the contractor filed a lien, and the state is investigating him for violations of the contractor licensing law.