Project update 5/10/15

We started digging today so that we can build a new support column for the new beam that will replace the one you see in the first photo.

this will be the location of the new support column (built from 8x8x16 cement blocks and re-enforced with re-bar) and the base depth will also serve as a guide for digging the new footers at the perimeter of the foundation walls.

we will use the laser level to mark a line around the foundation wall and dig down 40" this will ensure that we maintain the same grade all the way around.

youtube channel

Hello-
I just created a youtube channel to capture all of the work being done, check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf17NXx1gnum8akfMwnltiA

Today the first truck load of demo material is being removed from the basement, soon it will be time to get to work on the project.

this project is quickly expanding, I have removed the remainder of the Sheetrock on the ceiling of the basement exposing some additional issues. check out the attached video. strangely all of the floor joist on the left side of the supporting post are double (true) 2x8 this is good because the majority of the weight is on that side kitchen full bath tiled. everything on the right side is not so good it looks like the floor joist are sagging approximately 4". At this point I don't see how I can go without correcting this. directly above this sag is a load Bering wall all the way up two 1/2 floors. Everything above has been compensated to adjust for this sag (hide it) i.e floors, stairs ect so by correcting this I am accepting that the stairs and the tile floor in a half bath are going to need replacing along with lots of Sheetrock cracks. 
thoughts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMN8WnHE-Kg

started demoing the finished basement to get an idea about the structural fixing that's needed, and found all of this.
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We are considering lowering the basement floor to make the space officially livable, so we have a structural engineer coming this weekend to give us some advice on what needs to be done. So in preparation for this visit I needed to open up a section of the wall along the foundation, while doing this I found some things you never want to do while finishing a basement. Also found two layers of sheet rock with a layer of paneling between them (a little over kill), also a unsuccessful attempt to level the ceiling.

This is the oldest picture I have been able to find of the house, taken in 1964.

This is a set of photos of the Mechanical systems (heat and hot water) both are being changed today. at the same time as this change we also found out we could eliminate about 30' of baseboard this change should stop the extreme temperature deference between the first and third floors. Not a sexy improvement but I believe you should make all of the mechanical upgrades before the rest.

the next three pictures are after everything has been removed, we also increased the water line coming off the main from 1/4" to 1"

This is a map I found at the Cambridge Historical Commission, it was dated 1884. Some time after this the home was "moved on lot" this I found out was indication that the home had been rotated 180 so that the entrance was on the street side.

We have just purchased this home, built in 1864 it is classified as a Greek Revival. The home is located in Cambridge Ma. I will be add additional comments regarding the history of the home as I do more research while preparing to restore it to it's original form.