Laura Jenkins
05-25-2011, 03:44 PM
I own a large brick building that was built in 1900. One portion of my house has a flat roof and the second portion has a regular shingle roof. There were signs that there had been past leaking in the flat roof section (ceiling evidence). The building is a former grocery with a home all built at one time. The home maintains most of the original woodwork, windows and other great details. It also has been updated in the past by previous owners. I plan to trace down the history to see if I can find some original pictures or plans.
I am unsure as to what is causing the wall to bow, but I have theories based upon reading. I'm learning a lot.
Due to disabilities, I have not been on the flat roof itself. When I found the gaps in the windows, I thought I had rotting wood. When I got close enough to actually look at the worst window, I determined that the wood seemed sound, but that the actual veneer is bowing. I can see no major cracking in the mortar in the wall area.
I am planning to pull down the damaged ceiling in the worst room in order to allow access to any space between the ceiling and roof, which I hope will allow me to get up and look at what's happening from under the roof. As the plaster & lathe walls are in good condition, I am planning to leave them in place unless it proves necessary to remove one.
My brother-in-law (a roofer) was able to make some patches to areas he thought might still be leaking, which he did last fall (2010). The bowing is new and not present (though may have been coming) when we purchased the property in Fall 2009 (although we did see a need to replace the roof). With the property market what it is, we have not been able to sell our previous house to raise needed funds for repair.
I believe it is water damage to what would hold the veneer to the house. Until I can get up and see I do not know how the outer walls where constructed, as I saw there are several methods that where done.
So, what I need to know ... everything. Can I do anything myself to fix my home (for which I may have some help from the roofer and maybe a mason if I can find a few funds). I'm not shy about reading up on something and working at it, even if it's going to be me working slow. I'll upload a few photos with this hoping they're good enough to show what's going on.
The worst bowing is on the NW wall of the squared off section. Along the top, the parapet is different brick and I feel it was replaced at one time, the bricks do not match, and on the SW corner & the NW corner you can see it tilting (the NW corner was actually missing quite a bit of mortar). The NW Window close-up is the west-most window on the 2nd floor. I am including a sideview (this house is difficult to get into one frame) to give a little perspective. I have other photos and can take other photos if it will help.
Any advise from those in the know will truly be appreciated. I am not in a position at the moment to hire professionals (lengthy & difficult to explain and this is already pretty long). Truly, Thanks.
I am unsure as to what is causing the wall to bow, but I have theories based upon reading. I'm learning a lot.
Due to disabilities, I have not been on the flat roof itself. When I found the gaps in the windows, I thought I had rotting wood. When I got close enough to actually look at the worst window, I determined that the wood seemed sound, but that the actual veneer is bowing. I can see no major cracking in the mortar in the wall area.
I am planning to pull down the damaged ceiling in the worst room in order to allow access to any space between the ceiling and roof, which I hope will allow me to get up and look at what's happening from under the roof. As the plaster & lathe walls are in good condition, I am planning to leave them in place unless it proves necessary to remove one.
My brother-in-law (a roofer) was able to make some patches to areas he thought might still be leaking, which he did last fall (2010). The bowing is new and not present (though may have been coming) when we purchased the property in Fall 2009 (although we did see a need to replace the roof). With the property market what it is, we have not been able to sell our previous house to raise needed funds for repair.
I believe it is water damage to what would hold the veneer to the house. Until I can get up and see I do not know how the outer walls where constructed, as I saw there are several methods that where done.
So, what I need to know ... everything. Can I do anything myself to fix my home (for which I may have some help from the roofer and maybe a mason if I can find a few funds). I'm not shy about reading up on something and working at it, even if it's going to be me working slow. I'll upload a few photos with this hoping they're good enough to show what's going on.
The worst bowing is on the NW wall of the squared off section. Along the top, the parapet is different brick and I feel it was replaced at one time, the bricks do not match, and on the SW corner & the NW corner you can see it tilting (the NW corner was actually missing quite a bit of mortar). The NW Window close-up is the west-most window on the 2nd floor. I am including a sideview (this house is difficult to get into one frame) to give a little perspective. I have other photos and can take other photos if it will help.
Any advise from those in the know will truly be appreciated. I am not in a position at the moment to hire professionals (lengthy & difficult to explain and this is already pretty long). Truly, Thanks.