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Post by Dallas Cowboy on May 28, 2008 16:59:45 GMT
Been to look at a house built in 1931. One thing I noticed was that the hardwood floor in the dining room was not level. It resembled the surface of a road, with a noticeable camber. Is that a sign of a potential or serious problem?
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Post by powchirper on May 28, 2008 23:51:03 GMT
Round these parts it would mean another old pit workings had collapsed.
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Post by mumf14 on May 29, 2008 0:03:26 GMT
If you have one leg shorter than the other and wear a sombrero, then you shouldn't encounter a problem,... as the deficit will be taken up by the longer leg whilst the shorter leg will be just perfect.
The problem may arise however in finding a suitable girlfriend with a similar problem.
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Post by stokey-pokey pudding and pie on May 29, 2008 0:41:42 GMT
check if theres been any water damage from leaky pipes or general decay(if it was near a sink and owned by some clumsy bint).
just ask the agents to pull up a floorboard so you can have a peak, look out for a dark underside to the floor boards where it looks fucked or if theres pipes directly underneath(some old buildings had underfloor water pipes for outdoor taps/toilets). if everything looks ok, then its probably just a old board and needs replacing.
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Post by Dallas Cowboy on May 29, 2008 1:57:29 GMT
Thanks Chirper and Stokey-Pokey.
It's nice to know some people are helpful and can offer advice.
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Post by edinburghstokie on May 29, 2008 8:57:55 GMT
you may find that as thing slip easily on wooden floors, everything ends up in the same place.
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Post by Dallas Cowboy on May 29, 2008 14:45:15 GMT
Surely if there is a camber, things will end up in one of two places. I don't think you quite thought that one out.  |
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Post by mermaidsal on May 29, 2008 15:25:34 GMT
dallas, it depends where you are. In my mum and dad's road in Wolstanton almost every house is at a slight angle from subsidence but it happened years ago and has been stable for ages so not a problem. If the joists are decayed you've got problems though, can you get a few boards up to check? If it's a modern hardwood floor it might just have been done on the cheap and badly laid.
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Post by Dallas Cowboy on May 29, 2008 15:49:35 GMT
Thanks, mermaidsal. This house is in sunny Florida, in the "historic district" of Jacksonville. The floors are the original hardwood floors. If we made an offer, we would have to have the house inspected and if there were serious problems, the inspector should find them. But that would cost us and it seems silly to pay out good money if there is an obvious problem, although the seller would have to fix it before the sale went through.
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Post by kkkkken on May 29, 2008 23:01:27 GMT
Dallas
Shouldn't any defects with the flooring reflect in your potential offer ? .
Good luck
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2008 14:26:33 GMT
I'm presuming it is on the ground floor so there shouldn't be a real problem - I'm guessing there are no visibly cracks or movement eleswhere.
You will find that the wooden floors will defect and warp over time so it could be something as simple as that.
Other less likely problems could be:
• Groundwater Subsidence - Underground pipes are subject to leaks which can could awash away the subsoil’s and percolate through into the basement. As a result the foundations of the property shift as the stability in ground deteriorates resulting in poor foundations and structural movement.
• Foundation cracking / settlement cracks – settlement happens when parts of a building drop below the elevation or height where they were placed during the original construction. There are numerous reasons why this may happen. The soil beneath the foundation or beneath column supports may shrink due to moisture loss. The soil may not have been compacted properly before the foundation was installed. Large pieces of organic material may have been included in the soil under the property. When it decays, the soil above it collapses to fill the void.
• Age / construction / materials of the property itself – the defects could simply be commensurate with the age of the property coupled with poor quality construction and materials used at the time of building.
• Overloading of structure and increasing of super imposed loads - basically the floor cannot take the weight of modern living
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2008 14:29:40 GMT
Fuck me, a serious post from loony. Doctor……… |
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2008 14:30:57 GMT
That's my one for the year!
I need a lie down now ;D
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Post by Sammz on May 30, 2008 14:34:18 GMT
 THUD!! ......sorry just fell off my chair
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Post by tazi on May 30, 2008 16:04:50 GMT
Thanks, mermaidsal. This house is in sunny Florida, in the "historic district" of Jacksonville. The floors are the original hardwood floors. If we made an offer, we would have to have the house inspected and if there were serious problems, the inspector should find them. But that would cost us and it seems silly to pay out good money if there is an obvious problem, although the seller would have to fix it before the sale went through. Tom Hanks and money pit spring to mind. |
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Post by Dallas Cowboy on May 30, 2008 17:36:59 GMT
Tazi, We saw a house similar to the one in the film and decided to pass. In fact, we both thought of that film after we had been shown round. Someone has bought it and, if they know what they are doing, will eventually end up with a smashing house. No doubt they will sell it on and make a substantial profit. Loony1, I commend you for your comprehensive answer. I feel honoured that your one sensible post of the year should have been directed at me. Much obliged. |
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Post by tazi on May 30, 2008 18:16:21 GMT
All the best anyway, and hope that it's easily sorted for all.
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Post by Gunslinger on May 31, 2008 8:35:52 GMT
Look of for any sign of cracks on the walls/roofs. If there's any problems with the foundation then you will most likely find some cracks on the walls/roofs as well. Also look out for signs of cracks that has been repaired. Try to borrow an instrument that can "sniff" for humidity in walls/floors.
Btw: Are the other floors level?
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