[QUOTE]Glad to hear you are relatively OK Phil

 

I cannot tell from the photos, but is the rear on the ground? And the porch in the air? If that is the case, depending on the direction of the joists, it may be alright. If the center solid girder is running up and down it is probably ok. If the joists are running up and down, with the center girder running sideways, the only thing keeping the home from buckling in on itself are the nails in the joists (rated for roughly 800 or so pounds each...depending on composition) and the roof structure. If the roof begins to give, the house could go in on itself. I would look at this prior to even thinking about going under there.

If it looks like the joists are bending (almost to failure point), it will only be a matter of time, so you might have to get someone out there sooner than later (this may not be possible). As the house settles, the wood dries (and becomes less flexible), the sag will get worse until it finally gives. I have seen this happen in homes here in FL, where a portion of the home was built over some bad soil. The joists began to sag from the center settling, and the additional load now not being supported on the center piers.

John

 

understood.

i don't recall the specifics on the structure under the house. i think the last time i was under there was 10+ years ago for some pipe repairs.

what we're seeing now is the front and rears of the house sitting on the ground, with the middle being supported by the old steps. on the far back side (you can't see from this pic), there's a barrel holding up part of the house as well.

John, i hate to keep dragging you in deeper, but if you want and are willing, PM me or post your email. i'll put together what pics i do have, as i photographed the exterior and interior of the house extensively. i can put together the critical ones and shoot them over to you...

i'm currently not sure when i'll be under the house again.

 

Phil-

Not a problem man.....I am willing to help out as much as I can. You can send the photos to jwa4378@gmail.com. If you have any photos of under the home, whether they be old or not, those would help out as well, because then I could see the actual structure and see where the point loads are located (most likely a point-load system, because floor trusses were most likely not used, as well as the fact that the roof is probable common framed instead of clear-span trusses).

The BIG thing is the amount of deflection in the joists / roof structure (if any). If they are deflecting to some degree, it will only get worse as the house settles. I just hope that the joist / girder system is still in decent shape, otherwise it will be pretty difficult to move without serious damage / movement.

If you can get into the attic and get some photos of the rafter support structure, that would be great as well.

John

 

*nods* attic photos can be done, but won't occur until our next trip up there.

i'll put together what photos i have and get them to you sometime in the next day or so...

 

PM. Replied to. Just let me know when and I will rally the troops to help your sister!

 

np.

i talked her last night, but was busy enough at work to keep me from calling you today. i'll try to call you tomorrow.

she's very enthused and a lot of tears were shed. she's mainly looking to replace a set of books that were badly ruined that were math and logic teacher aid books... (?) she teaches gifted students grades 1-6.

talk to you soon.

 

Phil,

I have been out of this forum for the last month and a half, but I did not know you where in LA. I am so glad you are well and so is the family.

 

thanks man... i appreciate it.

 

Of course you call on my first day off in a month! ......All I need is some info on the books/series (part numbers, titles, etc) and I will be happy to try to match it up for her! When is the best time to call you back?