Sill plate. 2x6 wood used for setting up the sill plate, to 2x4.. On three sides of the house used two layers of 2x6 wood. When they got to the part of the wall outside the office and next to the garage, they switched to 2x4 wood, and the entire front of the house is using 2x4 wood for the sill plate. PM later explained this is to leave ledge support room to set the full bricks front. That was easy.
Half of the plate on one beam is on 2x6 and the other is 2x4. Explanation: For some unknown reason RH joins two beams of different size to form one span. W18x18 is 5 1/4 wide, and it has 2x6 on it, joined to a W18x10 which is 4" wide and has 2x4 sitting on top. I posted some pictures showing the specifications of the different beams used in this house.
Pictures below show the beams being used. Splice plate above joins W8x18 and W8x10 beams.
Next, as you may have observed from looking at your own build, the sill plate sits on top of the basement concrete walls, and is bolted down to the top of the wall using the concrete anchor bolts. So what happens when you use 2x4 instead? Those bolts will reside in the imaginary 2 missing inches, and the sill plate 2x4 will be secured down to the top of the basement wall with Holy Air! If a bolt is too close, whack it out of the way like so..
Explanation: This space was left to form brick front support. The bolts were cut later (I get this but don't fully buy it).
The longest span beam is completely touching the right side of the house (Family Room/office wall) while leaving space away from the far wall (living room side). There are some steel plates underneath it at the office/family room side, but they are loose and not attached at all, so the beam might be sitting on air for all that I know. Will those be welded? Is that the final position of the beam?
Explanation: None. But when I checked later the plates were very secured due to the weight of the house above. Will ask about welding them.
The basement wall below shows a sizable crack in the concrete wall going across three seams, we'll wait and see how large it gets.. This is the largest of 4 concrete wall cracks we counted. Explanation: Crack is the result of concrete drying too quickly when switching concrete trucks. They tried to avoid it but it happens sometimes. Will touch up later.
Other than that, some kids enjoyed a visit to some site..
I would definitely check and see whats going on with the changes in the wood our home is all 2x6s and they are good for making a stronger home but I am not sure about the floating beam in the basement I will have to check with my hubby on that but the crack should definitely be filled in immediately no one wants a leaky basement! Besides all that your basement is HUGE! The kids look like they are having a good time out there!
ReplyDeleteThanks for confirming they are using 2x6 all around your house, we really needed that tip, because we were wondering if maybe we don't know how it is supposed to be. We expected there would be cracks, and I would rather it cracks now when they can fix it easily than later. Our biggest worry is whether it is done cracking! Oh, and the kids had a blast. I think this is only the 3rd time they visited, and the only time when stuff was actually happening.
DeleteI have never heard of switching to 2x4 while using 2x6. I would talk to the pm and if you are concerned call a home inspector, maybe it is a code violation. Good luck.
ReplyDeletemaybe I should call the city's building department.. good idea!
DeleteVery interested to see what your PM says about the 2x4 switch. I can't say what our house has since we saw it as a basement and then with the first floor framed. But, common sense (which they seem to lack sometimes) would be to have them all the same.
ReplyDeleteI wrote the PM very very late last night, and left voice mail. For once glad the calls roll into voice mail right away. I basically forwarded all the above. He wrote back today saying the framers are out today due to the rain, but will check with them tomorrow morning when back and update us. I am glad we visited the site with a friend who is also building (in Hinckley, custom builder) and he pointed out the discrepancy.. We'll see tomorrow.
DeleteThe 2 x 6 to 2 x4 switch over the I-beam probably occurred because the I beam reduces in size where the joist span is smaller. The 2 x 6 doesn't have any real benefit if the I beam itself gets smaller. The beams definitely shouldn't be dangling and the cracking is usually indicative of too much water in the mix or concrete that dried too quickly. If that short section is the only place the bolts were skipped, I probably wouldnt be too worried. I agree that it is poor workmanship and laziness but doubt it will have any effect on the finished product. Just stay on top of these guys and don't be afraid to speak up if you see something that doesn't look right. Remember you're not in this to make friends with the pm or rh, you are the one who will be living in the home for years to come.
ReplyDeleteYour answer is probably the most comprehensive and informative in the fewest words that I've ever read on a blog. Thank you! The PM called now and confirmed what you said:
ReplyDelete1. 2x6 to 2x4 switch over the I-beam occurred because the I beam reduces in size from W8x18 where the joist span is smaller W8x10.
2. Concrete cracking was the result of drying too quickly when switching trucks.
I really appreciate your reminder about not being afraid to speak up to get this home done right, we are the one who will be living in it, not any temporary friends we or we may not make. Words of wisdom!
I am so glad to hear that your PM helped ease your mind. I too would have been concerned about it. Everyone, (and you of course), is right. Always speak up. You are laying down the cash for this house. They are only paying temporarily. Get it right the first time before they finish and you are left with headaches in the future. Well done, Ella!
ReplyDelete