The inherent tension between seeking a low price and achieving a high-quality outcome is a common dilemma, particularly in home repairs and renovations. Recently, while reviewing properties listed for sale, I’ve encountered several instances where seemingly...
One of the most important parts of the foundation and structural work is correctly supporting the beams, joists, and other structural components above what we will replace. We call this blocking, which is also known as cribbing. The Importance of Blocking and Cribbing...
In 2018, we got a request to repair a foundation at a small home in New Orleans’ St. Roch neighborhood. The house was in poor condition when the owner purchased it, and she restored the home by herself little by little, replacing siding, adding windows and railings,...
It’s an exciting time for you. You’re going to sell your house! You tidy up that spare room, touch up the paint, put out some pretty potted plants, and get ready for a stampede of eager buyers. Maybe they’ll even get into a bidding war! Not so fast. Before any buyer...
Sill damage is usually due to water or termites. For this home in New Orleans’ Black Pearl neighborhood, the sill was damaged by a plumbing leak inside the walls. The leak went on for a very long time, unknown to the homeowner, and after some months or years the sill...
While any homeowner is accustomed to looking for visible problems in and out of the house—broken siding, damaged flooring, a leaky ceiling—problems with a home’s foundation may not be as obvious. It’s crucial to be able to recognize when your foundation is failing, so...
