http://fm.ea-tel.eu/flashmedia/flashmeeting/fm5719_4cbc89-5719 http://fm.ea-tel.eu/fm/memo.php?pwd=4cbc89-5719 http://fm.ea-tel.eu/public Historic HomeWorks historic homeworks 0:2706:0 182:204:0 211:2261:0 hi john I'm on high speed tonight, but am in an office with others - so I can't really talk so I can hear, but will be typing rather than speaking No, voice is fine I have my headphones on :-) Mentioned a little bit in the forums - but now I'll tell you "the rest of the story" ;-) So, I went out yesterday, installed the new ledger, trimmed back the rafters - and then couldn't get them clamped into place Well, I hate when it doesn't work out as planned. It's kind of "flexy" - 4 rafters are essentially unattached at the house end. I underestimated the contribution of "friction" - the rafter ends were apparently wedged into place a little, even though the ledger was essentially gone We'll pray for no snow, like they got out in South Dakota last week. All it is really supporting, though, is the roof sheathing and a few shingles. It didn't collapse with me on it, so I think it will be OK until I can get the ceiling opened up and get it braced from below Yeah, snow would be bad - if it does snow, I'll probably sweep the snow off the roof, working out the upstairs window But it is supposed to be warmer this week, and I hope to have it braced by the weekend I'm glad you got those old-fashioned "structural" shingles. LOL ;-) The sort of scary part was that the end rafter, which seemed at first to be well supported, doesn't appear to be - I'm not sure what is holding it up. I did nail off two of the rafter ends to the new header, and that seemed to stabilize it, mostly - much less flexy I N E R T I A ! Is this your first structural project? I got concerned when I realized that I was seeing daylight through the wood siding, and the post that was "supporting" the end rafter was loose Repair project, yes. I built a garage a year or two ago, but that was essentially a new building - so I could plan the sequence of operations Fortunately, even if the roof collapsed entirely, it wouldn't really be a disaster - and the other half of the roof is supported OK, so I don't think (hope) it will collapse I'll sleep better once the bracing is in place, though What are your thoughts on attaching ledgers to brick veneer? The old ledger was attached by "posts" in the holes visible in the picture. I'm concerned that sleeve anchors or something like that may just pull the brick away from the wall. Yes, I am woodcarver Avocation? Yes, just a hobby When I have free time (not working on the house :-) yes, wood balloon framed Yes, there is a space - good point about spacer blocks, hadn't thought of that Another option would be to build a frame wall on the porch, and support it on that From the ground up, there is a 1 car garage on the ground level - concrete block covered by brick. The garage ceiling/porch roof is concrete There are 2 wythe brick "columns" up to the top of the porch, windows between, then a little wood framing like a fascia board, and the roof on top of that Hmm, good point - maybe it's time to talk to an engineer One of the things that surprised me is that the existing ledger is 1x8 - that seems awfully light I guess there isn't all that much load on it - although it was originally slate Maybe the surprise should be that it didn't fall down before now. House was built around 1936 - seems late for balloon framing, but that's what it is I think the house was the "schlocky construction" of the day - neighbors find "interesting" things, like the guy who dug a little and found his "foundation" was 1 (yes, ONE) row of block below grade Oh - I didn't realize balloon framing was generally around that late, thought it went out around the turn of the century I mean that he had no footer - the foundation was a single block of concrete block, 12" below grade (30" is local frost depth for construction) Oh, gotcha, no footer. Had to have it underpinned, etc. - fortunately his HO insurance covered it At least I have a foundation - I can see it in the basement;-) And I have footers - we found them when we built the garage OK. Of course, now you are scaring me ;-) Maybe I should go home and work on my stabilization :-) Not a bad idea. Really, the porch/roof project was mostly what I wanted to talk about. Any suggestions on finding an engineer? OK. Any idea why more folks are attending the conferences of late? sorry - are NOT attending http://historichomeworks.phovi.com/ I think I had found the link from the main site That's really about all I had for tonight. Thanks a lot for all the help, and I'll keep you posted on my progress I will - take care bye