Feb 19, 2014
Our new home does not have insulation or sound proofing between floors. Can we fix this now?
Dec 10, 2015

If you don't want to loose ceiling height, you will need to remove the celing covering to gain access to the floor joist cavities.

A product we've had great sucess with is Roxul (http://www.roxul.com/residential/create+a+quiet+home/which+safe+n+sound).

Jun 7, 2014
What size nails are required for Structural insulated sheeting .5 inch foam board.
Aug 13, 2014

This is based entirely on the Manufactueres recommended installation techniques per the scope of work to be performed.  Such as location, what your fastening to etc.

Martin Boyd asked:

Jun 14, 2015
How can I find a contractor to upgrade the attic space above my garage so that it can be used as storage space?
Dec 10, 2015

Dennis is correct, NARI is a great resource.

Locate a contractor that has a good relationship with a structural engineer. Between the two, they should be able to come up with a good solution.

Dave Will asked:

Jun 10, 2014
wondering if there's a product out there that one can spray on the inside of an exterior wall on a wood basement to waterproof?
Oct 2, 2014

You said your basement is made of treated wood? As in there is no concrete or masonry walls below grade?

If that is the case, my first suggestion to you would be to hire a contractor to excavate around your house, demo the basement walls, and replace them with concrete or masonry, followed by correctly installed waterproofing and draining backfill. This will not be an easy or cheap fix. Your insurance may help cover the cost of this repair.

I have never seen a below grade basement built with wood. That just doesn't make sense.

If you do have masonry or concrete walls, and they are leaking, especially through treated plywood that is attached to them, this is an indicator of a more serious problem outside. You may need to excavate around the house and replace the soil with a different type that allows for rapid drainage and prevents any sort of hydraulic pressure from building against your walls. Soil such as sand or gravel, or a mix of the two is ideal for this purpose. Also you should install proper waterproofing against the exterior walls to prevent water from contacting the wall at all.

Hydraulic pressure is incredibly powerful, and if you are experiencing water accumulation and build up sub grade against your house, and it is pushing through the wall, then no product you apply to the wall will stop it or be effective. You have to resolve the cause of the problem first.

Hope this helps.

Dave Will asked:

Jun 10, 2014
wondering if there's a product out there that one can spray on the inside of an exterior wall on a wood basement to waterproof?
Jun 11, 2014

I don't recall where I saw it, but there is a product (similar to door & window flash, but wider) that goes on the plywood, along with a primer. You would need to start the application down at the footing and overlap it to just above grade.

Nov 6, 2017
I had vinyl replacement windows installed three years ago in my 70 year old brick home. Could bad installation (shims?) be causing interior wood to pull away?
Nov 15, 2017

I dont really see any water damage. They could have by accident impacted the trim with the shims. Maybe send a pcture of the outside and that should tell us a little more

Nov 6, 2017
I had vinyl replacement windows installed three years ago in my 70 year old brick home. Could bad installation (shims?) be causing interior wood to pull away?

Carole Weber of Weber Windows PRO answered:

Nov 16, 2017

Cheri,

Did this just happen three years after installation or could this have been there from the time of installation and you didn't notice.  Sometimes this can happen, especially on older homes that have old wooden windows where the installers use something like a chisel to literally "bust out" the old exterior blind stops on the window when installing replacement windows from the exterior.  The old wood can be very dense and hard to chip off.  The force of hitting on the exterior could cause this type of thing or as someone else said, could have a shim putting pressure against the back side of the interior trim.  You probably would have noticed that kind of damage right away though.

Typically a 70 year old house has already settled so you wouldn't think that was the cause, unless you are having some other kind of structural problems with the home.  If it were water, I would imagine you would see some kind of staining or drips on the interior as well.  

It's really difficult to say, unfortunately.  It could be installation related, but would be hard to say without pulling off the metal wrap on the exterior (assuming they were wrapped) and seeing what is going on.  

Nov 6, 2017
I had vinyl replacement windows installed three years ago in my 70 year old brick home. Could bad installation (shims?) be causing interior wood to pull away?

Christy Carpenter of EntryPoint PRO answered:

Nov 7, 2017

Hello! I'm sorry to hear that you are having issues with your windows. From viewing your photos, it appears that there is water coming from up above the window. That being said, it could have been from improper installation or just bad windows. 

Please feel free to reach out to us and we can send one of our salemen out to have a look at what's going on with your windows.

Christy

EntryPoint Doors and Windows

5018 Bristol Industrial Way Suite 209

Buford, GA 30518

770-904-0094

Mar 27, 2017
My handyman recently shared with me that he thinks I have some structural damage in my basement from a minor flood a few years back...
May 24, 2017

I agree that you need a structural engineer. The longer you wait the more damage that could occure if it continues to move

Mar 27, 2017
My handyman recently shared with me that he thinks I have some structural damage in my basement from a minor flood a few years back...
May 4, 2017

I would recommend hiring a structural engineer to review and recmmend repairs not something you should let go. 

Martin Boyd asked:

Jun 14, 2015
How can I find a contractor to upgrade the attic space above my garage so that it can be used as storage space?
Jun 15, 2015

Begin by going to www.NARI.org and find a chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry in your area. NARI members are held to a high standard and they commit to a Standard of Ethics in writing. On www.NARI.org you can look for design build contractors with Certified Remodelers (CR) and Certified Lead Carpenters (CLC) on staff. The contractor will know if they need the services of a structural engineer (P.E.) to specify what needs to be done. You're welcome to contact me directly with your questions.

Dennis D. Gehman, CR, MSA, CLC, CKBR, CAPS

President

Gehman Design Remodeling

PA 000297

355 Main Street

Harleysville, PA 19438-2417

O 215-513-0300

F 215-513-1280

dennis@gehmanremodeling.com

www.gehmanremodeling.com

NARI = National Association of the Remodeling Industry

CR = NARI Certified Remodeler

MSA = CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator

CLC = NARI Certifled Lead Carpenter

CKBR = NARI Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler

CAPS = Certified Aging in Place Specialist

Martin Boyd asked:

Jun 14, 2015
How can I find a contractor to upgrade the attic space above my garage so that it can be used as storage space?
Jun 17, 2015

You can also use the GuildQuality "Find a Contractor" at the top of the webpage. THere you can find local contractors. I agree with Dennis that NARI is also another great option.

Feb 19, 2014
Our new home does not have insulation or sound proofing between floors. Can we fix this now?
Oct 2, 2014

Unfortunately I think WoW Home Solutions answered you correctly. This is an issue that should have been addressed in the planning phase by a forward thinking builder and/or architect, and at the latest in the building phase (assuming you had your home built; if it was a production tract home, then I'm sorry... and prepare yourself for more problems down the road....). Now that your home is completed, there is no easy or cheap remedy to this issue.

The only thing I can suggest that may work (emphasis on may/might/maybe) is to strip the existing drywall off the ceiling and replace it with soundboard. Insulate with spray foam (professional application) while it's all opened up. The spray foam will absorb some of the vibration and deaden the transfer of noise.

Dec 27, 2020
Looking to replace basement window but have a cross beam and board impeding the window. Looks like the purpose of it is to prevent joists from settling.

Mason Hearn of HomeMasons, Inc. PRO answered:

Jan 5, 2021

Looks like this may have been someone's remedy for a deteriorated / rotten mud sill (the flat wooden plate which sits atop the foundation wall, upon which the joists bear).  If that is the case, it is possible that you might be able to remove the latter obstruction if one can restore the proper / original condition over the window.  That would want to be examined and undertaken by a professional.

As with any such thing, it is difficult to say for sure without a full on-site examination by a home imporvement professional with structural knowledge and experience in these types of repairs.

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