Leaning Windowsills

[thebadger7]

Hi guys,

Hoping someone may be able to offer some advice.

Live in a 1880s terrace, which used to be a butchers back in the day (like 30 or so years ago). Front wall is mainly stud with shop front style windows, so I assume some sort of beam was put in a while back. However, windows on first floor lean inwards - can kind of see in photo, as does the floor. Doesn't seem to have changed much over the last 6 years, but slightly worried the loft conversion may be putting extra pressure on things. Thinking of getting a surveyor to take a look - reckon they'd be able to tell much without ripping things out?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B97Tgk72zTL-THJYOE5QWS1ZUHM/view?usp=sharing

Cheers

Luke

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

Shop fronts, back in the day had a huge beam across the front, covered by a board on which the name was painted. I believe I can see the edges of the shop sign behind the porch. Over the years the beam would shrink, leading to the windows dipping in the centre. Having seen shop fronts being refurbished the state of the beams can be anything, as water getting in would rot it ( out of sight). Though your one looks all very weather tight.
I think I would take up a floorboard (or two) and have a look at the inside of it, or the inner one if that exists, it might give you a clue to its state.
Frank

 

[thebadger7]

Thanks for the reply, Frank

Took a floorboard up but can't see to the beam, there's a lath and plaster ceiling.
There's a stud archway in the front room below so I could have a look inside that.

Reckon it's worth getting a surveyor to take a look at the beam to check the condition?

Cheers

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

Well unless the surveyor has X ray eyes he will not see any more then you. You can see a lathe and plaster ceiling looking downwards , what can you see looking towards the front? Hint, use a mirror and torch.
Frank

 

[thebadger7]

I could see some wood (looked more like a joist than a beam mind) going perpendicular to the joists (i.e. parallel with the front wall), but it didn't go all the way across. Was thinking the surveyor could look from below by taking some of the stud out.

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

So what supports the ends of the floor joists?, especially where this piece of wood end? In old houses they often build in a wall plate. So when they brick up the wall they cut the bricks a bit thin so there is a piece of wood (2" X 1")sitting sitting within a course of bricks, the joists are laid on these pieces of wood bricks and half bricks put between the joist to get up to the next course distance then "ordinary" bricking continues from one end of the wall to the other. Its just a hi speed method of incorporating the joists into the wall and getting them level all in one foul swoop. I would have expected the ends of your joists to be notched into the old cross beam, but that would have run from side to side (just about). It could be that the beam is under the wall plate and you just can't quite see it.
I am not sure that surveyors take any thing apart, because they could be sued for breaking things.
Frank

 

[TheVictorian]

On the basis that the render seems to be intact I'd be happy that there isn't any current movement and not worry about it at all personally.

 

[thebadger7]

Makes sense re. wall plate. There are a few cracks in render (and windowsills) but nothing huge.

 

[thebadger7]

Just hacked some of the porch away and managed to get a look at the beam(s)....

Original is rotten, with plenty of woodworm exit holes. Looks like another timber beam has been put underneath, which looks in good condition apart from some horizontal cracks. Bit nervous the original beam is still there in that state though (and that new one could get woodworm too!) ? Feel like it needs a professional to look at it but who, a structural engineer? Timber specialist?