Floor joists - extending them
Discussion
TA14 said:
Hmmm. Maybe, OK yes and maybe. It depends how determined you are to have it perfect when it's finished.
FWIW it's usually easier to put a double thickness joist(s?) under the wall(s?) which is(are?) built off the floorboards, rip out the old floor and put in a new floor. Builders are usually quite careful about the level of new supporting wall, maybe adjusting the joist bearing level with a row of concrete bricks etc. But that's from day one. Who will pay for the work now?
I have had a long and tortuous journey with this build which has taken months longer than it should have.FWIW it's usually easier to put a double thickness joist(s?) under the wall(s?) which is(are?) built off the floorboards, rip out the old floor and put in a new floor. Builders are usually quite careful about the level of new supporting wall, maybe adjusting the joist bearing level with a row of concrete bricks etc. But that's from day one. Who will pay for the work now?
The building company have already take a big loss as the first builder bodged it and they had to spent a fortune doing it all over again.
On one hand I say leave it but on the other hand I say f
k it, why shoudl I settle for 2nd best with all the crap I have been through.I have SOME symnpathy because all things considered I can see how this may have occured.
If I went all out new I don't think they would go for it. I could possibly offer to contribute towards it as I would get a new floor.
As alluded to maybe I will get my own engineer out and see what they say.
One other reason for pressing for a new joist/floor is that the issue about the short joists goes.
I ama waiting the buidlers report first. I highly suspect it will downplay things.
TA14 said:
So are you happy now? 
Sorry, no!The surveyor is employed by the building company to oversee the work. I would say he is 'fairly' independent in some respects but I think he is plain wrong on this occasion. He is saying the unevenness is not caused by the recent building work when quite clearly it is.
I will employ my own surveyor now just to confirm for me whether what I have is OK from a structural perspective and acceptable or not from a standard of work perspective.
Something like that yes.
I will wait for the work to finish and then contact a company and get them to send out the person they think is apropriate - enginer or surveyor.
I've had 2 buidlers who are fairly impartial look at it (as in they are people I know and they wouldn't take on any work from me - so have no reason to egg it on) - both reckon there are problems with it - not only that but the problems are quite obvious.
I will wait for the work to finish and then contact a company and get them to send out the person they think is apropriate - enginer or surveyor.
I've had 2 buidlers who are fairly impartial look at it (as in they are people I know and they wouldn't take on any work from me - so have no reason to egg it on) - both reckon there are problems with it - not only that but the problems are quite obvious.
Another photo
http://1drv.ms/1yjZ5ID
There is more to it that in the photos as you can see effects in neighbouring rooms.
The 'bump' runs all the way to the back of the room and is noticeable when you walk on it. Simply cannot cover it with carpet and leave it.
I've emailed a couple of strcutural engineers so will see what happens.
http://1drv.ms/1yjZ5ID
There is more to it that in the photos as you can see effects in neighbouring rooms.
The 'bump' runs all the way to the back of the room and is noticeable when you walk on it. Simply cannot cover it with carpet and leave it.
I've emailed a couple of strcutural engineers so will see what happens.
TA14 said:
Won't the SE either say
"it's not ideal but it'll do" or "it's not ideal so add these bolts/bits of steel/bits of timber and it'll do" and either way you'll still have the same hogging floor.
He may do."it's not ideal but it'll do" or "it's not ideal so add these bolts/bits of steel/bits of timber and it'll do" and either way you'll still have the same hogging floor.
Firstly there is denial there is a problem from the other side - so if the SE says there is a problem that is one thing.
Secondly even if it is a quality issue as opposed to safety/structural - which I accept it most likely is - I would expect him to comment on quality and what can be done to fix it.
Yes you can go minor or major on the repairs. That is where the dispute will lie and it may go to court. I'd be more than happy to argue my case.
The problem I will face is that I will need to decide whether to go major or minor and if I go major I could end up losing in court later.
I need to weight up the cost differntials and all that first of course.
I've had a structural engineer round - awaiting the results. He was very limited in what he said (i.e didn;t give much away). I suspect I am going to get a very technical answer as to whether the floor is in line with regulations but no opinion on on whether I should accept it (quality). He did imply that the floor was outside of standards but obviously that doesn't resolves what happens going forward.
I've had a carpenter look at it and he says its all out shocking but he said he would be reluctant to repair it after someone has bodged it (no doubt something I will have a problem with goign forward.
I may also need a building surveyor to cover other aspects of work. Does anyone know if a building surveyor will talk about quality and advise whether something has been done properly? That way I can get them to look at the floor at the same time and they may offer more of an opinion.
I've had a carpenter look at it and he says its all out shocking but he said he would be reluctant to repair it after someone has bodged it (no doubt something I will have a problem with goign forward.
I may also need a building surveyor to cover other aspects of work. Does anyone know if a building surveyor will talk about quality and advise whether something has been done properly? That way I can get them to look at the floor at the same time and they may offer more of an opinion.
OK, SE been round and has said the floor is out of tolerance based on some buildings guidane. Remedy to be decided but there is likely to be a debate about it.
I have a question though. Referrign to my previous photo which shows a few joists next to eachother. I want to mark the walls with something so the run of joists is easier to see in a photo and I then want a straight line underneath so the differences can be seen. Is chalk the best thing - just run the chalk under the wood and it will put a clearer line which is easier to see in a photo as opposed to the wood colour.
I have a question though. Referrign to my previous photo which shows a few joists next to eachother. I want to mark the walls with something so the run of joists is easier to see in a photo and I then want a straight line underneath so the differences can be seen. Is chalk the best thing - just run the chalk under the wood and it will put a clearer line which is easier to see in a photo as opposed to the wood colour.
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