My home is 105 years old and is a two-storey balloon-frame built former bank building. I poured the cement floor in the basement the day I moved in over 12 years ago and do not recall on what sat the only 2 teleposts in the basement but can attest to the fact that the main original wood floor has been sagging downward, from side to side and front to back, ever since. The main floor is open concept, not that I think this matters.
It should be noted that there is only one huge beam in the basement from the front to the back of the house and it's not necessarily in the middle.
I am now undertaking much needed interior home renovations and note the importance of (finally) levelling it before the work begins. My friend came and installed 3 additional teleposts this week, which I am satisfied on their positions.
I am now wondering how often and how much size-wise should this adjustment take place and on which gradual basis before I start renovations?
First and foremost, the teleposts have to have there own footings poured, even though they are not carrying much weight because of your open concept first floor. Basement floors are poured usually too thin and no reinforcement to carry any loads. They will crack your floor eventually.
If you want to level your first floor, you'll have to raise each post slowly till the upper floor is level. If you have the time, the slower the better, but I would not do more than 1/2" a day. the slower you raise it, the less damage you will do the upstairs.
Thanks James, for your response. It is greatly appreciated.
After waiting a few days to receive information I ended up by using this Trusted Pros website differently and finding a local contractor to come and give me an estimate. As it turns out the 3 floors jacks my friend installed the previous week serve no further purpose than extra support given they are aligned to the 2 that have been there for years.
This goes without saying that I learned that rectifying the main floor situation from the basement means installing a second huge beam from the front to the back of the house.
Merci!
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