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The foundation for the addition is lower than the original house

7 years ago

Hello! I moved back to my home one week ago after a 6 month reno/addition project.

I had noticed from the beginning that I felt like I was going downhill when walking into the addition area, but when I put a 4" level in the actual addition, everything looked level.

Now that I'm moved in the sensation of being off level is very apparent, especially when seated at my desk which is at the shared wall of the original building and the new construction. So I pulled out my level again and see that the transition off level from the original house to the addition is measurable.

I have attached pictures of the level at the junction of the original house and the new addition, with a close up of the level bubble (the bubble doesn't change if it is moved anywhere along this junction). The room in the photo is part of the original house. My desk is in the same location as the original house and I never felt 'off level'.

I suspect that the builder knocked out the sleepers that the original wood floor had been resting on so that he could "bend" the old floor and the new floor to match the new. I know he said the they were not expecting this 1950s house to be built this way (even though I told him from the outset that this is the way homes in this neighborhood are built).

Obviously, its too late to correct the foundation and flooring.

My question is: Is this degree of a slope from new to old normal and expected? How will this affect my home in the future? Should I be entitled to some sort of compensation for the addition being out of level? This seems like a big difference in level for a short amount of space (4 feetish)...

Thank you!

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Comments (4)

PRO
Sombreuil
7 years ago
If that's a 4ft level, that amount of bubble indicates about 5/16" out of level condition. Over 4ft that is not considered a trip hazard or anything. If the adjacent old floor was "out", if he had built the floor level, there would have been a tapering margin from zero growing by 5/16 every 4 feet. That kind of step is a trip hazard.
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
7 years ago
I don't have any answers for you, but the out-of-level sensation would drive me bonkers. We used to live in a house like that, and I hated it so bad I would do anything to avoid going into the room where it was the worst. My DH, on the other hand, said he didn't feel anything wrong. Aargh.
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
A 4' level is nearly useless in this application. Set up a water level on the wall, then go around the room(s) and mark level on the walls with masking tape. Measure from the tape to the floor to find out what's going on.
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
You shouldn't be measuring into a corner. Try along the path you would normally travel at a normal walking pace.

And showing the bubble of a 4 ft level isn't particularly helpful either. You can probably find similar drops in the old house that you never notice.

Walking in your socks along a straight path without looking at the floor is about the best way to judge if there is a problem. And I recommend waiting a month or two before doing it. With any luck you will forget to do it.

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