Rotten joists shared with neighbour!

[guernseydan]

Hi everyone

I've been regularly reading tips and advice from here for a short while but now need some direct help.

I've just purchased my first property (an 1800's granite built, former school house) and am in the process of replacing the downstairs floor joists.

No problems in the living room that the forums haven't been able to help me with. Now however I have been pulling the downstairs hall floor up and have noticed the joists (that are in a pretty sorry state) go right through into my neighours property and support her hallway floor too!

What steps can/do I take to remove them and not disrupt her floor? I have been checking on the "Party Wall" act and am not sure if the same applies to me as I live in Guernsey, Channel Islands. I have told her about the situation and she is fully aware of the problem.

Any help or advice would be appreciated! I can get pictures this lunch time if that would help?!

Thanks

Dan

 

[Reynardine]

I'm not qualified to offer an opinion but will anyway...

As it's the ground floor joists that are rotten you might be able to build a support 'sleeper' brick wall say three feet high, with damp membrane, under/as part of the foundations to support the joists at the mid point.

With this wall in place you then have more options i.e. put new joist hangers on this wall to support new joists placed either side of your rotten joist. With the wall support you can selectively work on your side without disturbing her side.

Probably best get the local authority in for their advice. Try and find someone who knows the building regulations i.e. avoid RICS surveyors