I would like to ask your opinions on this cantilevered balcony. There are some gaps in the siding and it does look to be settling. Nothing severe but would it be advisable to suggest adding a support post at the corner. If so would a 4 X 4 post be sufficient.
Thanks!!
I do not think it is settling But it is dropping i would suggest support for it
Problem here is why would you even think of suggesting a extra support with no knowledge of the support system that already exists…
Tell me what your exact wordage in the report will be.
Front Balcony has a noticeable drop , Recommend a structural contractor to review and make the necessary repairs
It’s sagging.
Report it.
Leave the specific type of fix to others.
I dropped off a radon monitor to this house yesterday and I am doing the inspection Sunday. I spent 30 minutes walking around to get a head start on the inspection. Noticed a few issues and wanted to inquire about the balcony.
Thanks!!
I would call it out for evaluation just for the fact that there is a post supporting the roof with no visible means of transferring the load to the ground.
I am with Michael on this one.
David I am seeing a second floor balcony that might have have a post removed.
I really see or have built,cantilever balcony’s built without posting support.
I see the building is per 40’s (just guessing ) and has had upgrades.
I would have loved to see the lower portion where the entry stairs enter the home for more information.
My opinion. Removed post.
When you do your report and next time you run into this.
Remember to look into and mention the roofing component that is also being compromised. Rafters etc.
How you fit it in is up to you.
I agree with you that you should be looking into why to be a better HI.
But as others mention before that and you have SOLID UNDERSTAND.
Stay away from explanation. Litigation can be damming if you miss.
Hope it helps.
Here is a full picture of the rear of the home. I take lots of pictures.
I was only dropping off a radon monitor and I am doing the inspection tomorrow so back off on the comments about being a better home inspector.:twisted:
David did you actually measure the angle of sag?I can not see sag from the pictures
From the pictures I see siding issues due to lack of kick out and also separation of the gutter at the roof above the balcony.
Bob Take a look at the first pictures he posted
OK ,I did.
Yes there is some sag (couple inches over 4-5 feet) ,however the siding damage also coincides with possible water intrusion.
Wish to add that it is odd to have that post there and hope not for support ,unless that is a really good cantilever ,which it apparently is not.
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This building is not so old to assume that it was platform framing.
The porch is framed with 2"x6" and built on to the inside corner of the house.
Look at the elevation of the balcony and where the box header would be for the first floor.
It was known to be in this type of construction to suspend the porch from the roof framing and it appears that the porch is supporting the roof.
The steel rod inside the wood post is doing the support of the porch and pulling down whatever it was attached to in the roof framing.
This type of field engineering by builders was common in that era.
Look at the picture and you will see the sag also at the roof line.
Although this is all speculation, the roof and porch are sagging and a building contractor needs to repair.
Marcel,are you saying the post is hanging to support the balcony from above?
That would make it close to what I see in modern turnbuckle design on condo buildings though they are usually attached to the wall.
Good catch Marcel.
In the age of that building Bob, it was a common innovated part of design to use 3/4" rods to support something below.
With the deflection of the roof and knowing that they had to cantilever the rafter support and the 2x6 framing of the porch below, it would have been loggical for them to do it as such.
Unfortunately, whatever it was attached to, fatigue has set in over the years and the porch below is coming down along with the attachment above.
Destructive investigation is the only way to find out, and the first thing to do would be to take that column apart.
Determining that the column is solid or void would be the first line of investigation.
It is also possible that they supported it with a full solid column, attached to the cantilivered roof rafter beam support, notched and attached to the 2x framing of the porch below and the fasteners are giving way with age.
Again, speculation and more on site inspections would reveal more clues as to how it was framed.
Yes, the easy way out is to say it is sagging and repairs are required and move on, but I do not stop at that easy street. I like to tell the client what is envolved for the repairs and who is best to perform the repairs at an equitable cost.
Excellent comments sir.
I hope David comes back here Sunday night to let us know if your thoughts helped him out.
You listening David?
Marcel I have never heard of that system using 3/4 inch rods… I would love a simple introduction. Any material, link please if not email me when you find.
The homes on the lack-shore that use to be country places in the early 40 have gone through many rebuilding phases.
I have seen this often and repaired it by re bracing with a post.
The original owners told me they removed the post. Rotted
Similar but not exact.
Again I did not tear the structure down ( apart to look inside ) to apply proper carpentry repair. Just to solve a proble.
The quick fix
This is the closest article I can find.
Maybe this would be to rare of a feat to expect at this property.
http://chestofbooks.com/architecture/Construction-Superintendence/264-Floors-Supported-By-Rods-And-Trusses.html
