In old-house remodeling
projects, owners are usually
too preoccupied with
the new living space to be
concerned with the structural
integrity of the
building. Foundation
problems and rotted sills,
however, are common in
older buildings and should
be repaired before renovations
begin upstairs. It's
the contractor's responsibility
to protect the
homeowner's investment
and his own reputation by
examining the foundation
and sills and making any
necessary repairs.
Inspecting the Sills
To inspect the sills, start
by walking through the
interior of the house, taking
note of any humps or
sags in the floor that are
within 3 feet of the exterior
wall. Also look for
cracks where interior partitions
join exterior walls.
These cracks can indicate
settlement of the exterior
wall, which is often caused
by advanced sill rot.
Next, jump on the