Starting out on a strong foundation

By Charles Weiner

Even though I am a foundation expert, I couldn’t help but notice that the joist above me had a hundred holes drilled into it for the plumbing pipes and electrical wires. I have actually never seen anything like it. In one place, the tradesmen cut right through the joist to make room for the 3-inch ABS drainage pipe from the toilet. The floor support was just hanging in its place.

The Glebe has among the best built houses in Ottawa. If you are already an owner, or thinking of buying a house in the area, then this is clearly good news. On the other hand, most of the homes are over a century old and even though the structure is in most cases made of superior products, there are signs and symptoms of disrepair that need to be looked at and looked at carefully.

In the case of the above mentioned home, inexperienced tradespeople over the years had compromised the joist system. They also rebuilt part of the first floor support for a new basement stair entrance. They cut back the stone wall foundation to allow for the stairs and left the crib opening hanging without proper support. The floors had clearly dropped because of this.

Fortunately, I was able to level the floor, double the joist where needed and install welded steel posts designed to engineering specs to prevent any further compromise. I mention engineering specs because in many cases people have homes shored up with temporary jack posts purchased at a building supply store. These are temporary and do not under any circumstances meet building code requirements. They are not meant to withstand shifts in the structure caused by earth tremors and tend to loosen over time. In many cases, these temporary jack posts are placed directly on the typical Glebe concrete floor. The pad is often far too thin and degraded to maintain the necessary load bearing capabilities. A proper concrete footing must be installed either below ground or above that meets necessary building code requirements. This can be 12 x 24 x 24 inches or 14 x 30 x 30 inches, depending on the load being carried.

It is important that prospective home purchasers note whether temporary shoring jacks have been used in the basement to support that above joist. If so, the cost of replacing them should factor into the purchase of the home. A proper estimate of cost can be obtained by calling a concrete repair company with a proven track record of completing structural repairs.

Another important and possibly the most essential element in addressing issues related to the structural integrity of the floor joist is to check the ends that are embedded in the foundation walls. I recommend actually drilling out a bit of mortar where stone has been used, or concrete in rubble foundations to see if the ends are rotten. In a good 25 per cent of homes that are built on rubble foundations, the ends can be badly rotted from moisture contamination. This is usually less apparent on stone foundations but does occur where exterior mortar joints between the stones and above brick walls have not been properly maintained. The repair in question is more costly. It can be completed either by replacing the joist in question or installing horizontal beams and steel support posts along the interior walls of the foundation. A structural engineer or trusted contractor can be used to decide the best method of repair. I always recommend the engineer for at least a second opinion, since this will often in the end save you money by preventing an overzealous contractor from doing costly repairs where they are not needed. Unless a job is straightforward, this is my recommendation to my customers. It may take an engineer up to a month to inspect a home during the busy work season. So please, address these issues during the winter or early spring. If not, be prepared to wait.

It is important, especially for new home buyers, to check the access to the foundation on the outside of the dwelling for purposes of repair. In some cases, houses are too close together to allow for excavation. I have visited homes with 12 inches of space between them. In other dwellings, distance is compromised because a neighbour has illegally built a deck too close to the property lines. There may also be fences belonging to neighbours that are also impinging on the property line and will have to come down if a repair is needed. These problems should be addressed before a property is purchased. It is also good to give neighbours ample warning of a repair. They may, in the rare case, try to persuade you not to do the work. Remember the law is on your side and most importantly, not doing a repair is always more costly in the end, since the damage increases with time.

If you have concerns about your structure or would like a free inspection, then you can email me at (new address) charleszave65@gmail.com. I can also be reached by phone or text at 613-915-8377.

Charles Weiner, owner of Canadian Structural Reinforcing Inc., and expert in foundation and structural repairs, is available for residential, commercial and industrial projects in the region.

GNAG’s acting classes for seniors

Less about acting and more about laughing

By John Muggleton

The two things I hear the most when people inquire about Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group’s (GNAG) Studio 55 acting classes for seniors are, “I’m curious but I really have no desire to be an actor” and “I am afraid of memorizing lines and being put on the spot!” The answers to these question are, “That’s fine, because that’s not really what these acting classes are about” and “memorizing lines is not required and you are never put on the spot…ever.”

As a 57-year-old actor, director, playwright and acting instructor with 35 years’ experience, I have seen, and continue to see, the incredible mental and physical health benefits of acting classes. Laughing, socializing, being creative and making friends as we get older are so important, it is essential that we stretch and exercise our minds not just our bodies! Theatre games and exercises, many experts say, are exactly the kind of brain-stimulating and creative activities that can help maintain and perhaps improve memory and overall cognitive health, not to mention enhance one’s engagement with life. All without ever having to memorize a line! Simply making the effort to learn new skills can be beneficial, whether it’s learning the dramatic arts, painting or playing games like chess and bridge (which GNAG also offers!).

So what exactly is GNAG’s Studio 55?

What began 10 years ago as a oneoff acting workshop tailored to those 55 plus and with no experience, has evolved into a weekly series of afternoon acting classes that run in the fall, winter and spring. At the outset, I, along with fellow acting instructor Chris Ralph, wanted to offer classes with an emphasis on fun rather than the more serious evening classes geared towards aspiring actors.

Glebe resident Denise Shannon has taken many classes and along with the acting, enjoys the social element each week. “After retiring, I was looking for a new way to stretch myself and meet people,” she says. “I hadn’t done drama since I was in high school and I had some doubt about whether or not it would be my thing, but after the first class I was hooked! I love it and have made so many great and supportive friends.” This past

Christmas, Shannon auditioned for and was cast in Ottawa Little Theatre’s production of Miracle on 34th Street. “I would never have been able to audition, let alone be cast, if it wasn’t for the Studio 55 classes.”

Although some of the members enjoy doing community theatre, most are content with just doing the weekly afternoon class. Don Westwood, a retired Carleton University professor is one of them. The “elder statesman” of the group, Westwood, who holds the record for attending the most classes, has been an Ottawa actor for decades. At 87 however, the afternoon classes are enough and allow him to stay involved with the creative work of the theatre. “The weekly class is the highlight of my week. I look forward to seeing friends, laughing and working on scenes or short plays. There is always something to learn,” Westwood explained. “I get to enjoy the thrill of acting and theatre without the commitment and having to worry about lines. These classes are essential for me.”

Those who may be interested or simply curious about the Studio 55 afternoon classes are invited to attend an open-house class on May 9 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Glebe Community Centre. Meet me (the instructor), along with a few regular members, and find out how acting classes have enriched people’s lives, created social circles and caused lots and lots of laughter. Because we can all use more of that these days. If you are planning to attend the open-house class, or should you have any questions, please email john@gnag.ca to reserve a spot. You don’t need to bring anything other than a sense of fun!

John Muggleton is adult program manager at Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG), and instructor of the Studio 55 acting class.