I agree with David, why note something as defective, improper, far from meeting today’s standard, and does not meet code?
Hell, of course it don’t meet codes, they weren’t invented when this house was built.
We have to understand, that we are not Code Enforcement #1, and that these existing buildings, some have been there for 100 years.
Unless you find problems as such as WDI, rot, moisture intrusions, sagging, structural failures, components pulling apart, one should only report that what he observes is not quite up to today’s standard, but has proven the test of time.
Upgrades are only necessary when involving safety for the occupants.
If someone wants to live in a 100 year old structure that is sound, why not?
We seem to forget the fact that not all buildings were built to today’s standards, the standard changes every single day, so which standard should we use?
One has to establish it’s condition for when it was built and how it fared the test of time. If it looks like near failure, I guess you could comfortably say it is time for an upgrade or repair.
Don’t forget that in some of these old houses, the framing lumber was rough sawn and usually bigger structurally than required, so 1/2" of dry rot on the sides of the beam does not indicate that it is near failure. I means there is a moisture problem and monitoring, correction or upgrading might be prudent in the future.
The floor is sagging, so therefore I have to note that there is a structural
failure on the support piers below and recommend a structural engineer to evaluate.
Come on, give me a break, the darn thing is been there for 50 to 100 years, what do you think will happen to my house in 100 years?
Well, I won’t be here for one thing. :mrgreen:
And I am sure the foundation will start to deteriorate, settle, crack, and start giving way to some of the elements of time.
So what do we say?
Well, my observations have shown that the structure had no doubt proven the test of time to this date.
How much longer will it resist failures from that impact is unknown.
Future upgrades in the structural capacities for snow load, dead weight of the structure might be reasonable, given the age of the structure.
What did not fail for 50- years or more might fail tomorrow.
Today’s more recent standard in the industry has improved the structural capacities required to sustain the elements, thermal characteristics, and assemblies to provide a safe sheltered and safe home.
JMO:)