Now comes the prep work for our final major structural challenge…the sagging upstairs floor! As we unearth the interior walls where our beam supports will rest, we discover that there is…nothing there! In the center room, behind where the wood stove used to sit, we dig down into the earth almost 2 feet!
So what are ya gonna do? Pour more concrete, inside this time! Six whole bags are poured beneath the floor and chimney before we have a solid footing for our posts to sit on. We also fill other walls to stop the critters from crawling in.
With a bit more restructuring and creative shimming the room is finally ready for the BIG LIFT. In the first two photos you can see our “practice beam” made out of 4x4s…just to make sure we can actually maneuver the REAL beams into place…
Two 17 foot long 300lb steel beams arrive on schedule! They get a good de-rusting, vinegar bath and clear coat in the driveway to preserve that beautiful, raw, purple steel look. And Oh so many daisies!
