My previous home of 21 years had floor joists running 30' towards the elevated side beams one story lower. Neither the beginning nor the end of either side met the foundation/elevated base when we bought the home and we corrected it. On the other had a plumber built the home and we had copper sewer lines......
At the very least, the hidden/buried outlets were dead. That seems to be a good thing that was done. You sure do have your hands full with this one. I have been on projects like that where every time you turn a corner, another surprise pops up! Good luck and I think we'd like to see continuing pics.....
3/8" structural Sheetrock....gotta get me some o' dat! Wish I was there to help ya MM, or at least to take the pics!
Yah. At least he was the owner for both events. I have no idea who did the actual work in either case but I have reason to suspect it was indeed the PO.
This house has a lot RIGHT in it too. Despite what I often find in hidden areas, where the work is visible, it's usually done well. All of the wiring in my attic (and that is a great deal!) is neat and clean. No spaghetti. The wires were secured in the walls properly and all metallic boxes grounded, etc. My grey water and black water plumbing is completely separate, and that is a good thing IMO despite what the building code says these days. The house is well supported underneath with plenty of re-inforcement on some of the original (1941) floor joists. Insulated as well or better than you'd expect for a house built mostly in the 70s/80s. The garage is a work of art for someone like me, 28'x31' with no columns. Big arse steel I-beam spanning the ceiling. So even with my griping lately, there is still a lot to like about the house, despite the shortcuts.
Ummm... me thinks Pandora's box miiiiight mean something else WW? LOL... here's what Mr Google says... Pan·do·ra's box noun a process that generates many complicated problems as the result of unwise interference in something.
I still like that "old" cabinet style. All this new worn-out and distressed-look stuff doesn't appeal to me at all.
Question for you guys that have been doing this stuff awhile..... Is it common/acceptable practice to build partition walls (non-bearing) without removing the drywall on the ceiling above? I know these are non-bearing but still...... seems like you create headaches for the next guy..... especially if you need/want to change the drywall thickness. One more for you guys, when the dining room/master bedroom addition was added on, the ceiling joists are just toenailed to what used to be the exterior wall of the house, which explains why the ceiling height is slightly lower in those rooms. (Top of the joists are slightly above the plate of the wall.) Doesn't seem all that strong to me, maybe joist hangers were not common back when that part of the house was built? (1970s I think.). Nothing over it other than the roof, but the Mrs and I have discussed a 2nd story addition and I think this would have to be remedied before that could happen.
Adding a second story? Better make sure the first story is O K to handle it. Judging on what you have found so far......well.....you know.
