Fully insulated walls allowed this unit to retain heat better than the rest of the octagon. Still issues persisted. Water entered during the spring thaw and during heavy rains from several of the walls. The kitchen area of this apartment also would have a wet floor for days after a heavy rain. The reason may have been an adjacent cistern which had a concrete slab placed over the opening. The floor of the cistern was slightly below that of the basement floor but when filled would leak through to the basement.
A stairway leading to the main level had been removed making room for the bedroom and entry closets. This unit like all other apartments had a gas fired space heater and a sixty amp electrical box to supply an electric stove and outlets. Kitchen space was minimal but this unit had the most counter space.
Ceiling height is a full 8 feet except in areas where steel beams were added and covered by framing and sheetrock.
The bathroom had a shower with bath, stool and sink. Severe black mold appeared in the bathroom days after we were able to access it. The mold had been hidden from us and we were not allowed to inspect the unit prior to purchase. Knowing this would not have prevented our purchase of this classic home.
2014 We (Lori and John) Moved Into a vacated Apartment – Octagon Lower Level
Curious about access from the 0ctagon to the addition basement we removed the sheetrock from the kitchen wall. Behind the sheetrock was a wooden door, nailed shut. Opening the door gained access between the octagon and the rectangular addition Basement.
Main structure support.
2 steel I-Beams added during the late 1940’s – 1950’s remodel. The beams supported the main level floor joists and the upper floor via several 11-foot 2x 4’s. The 2x 4’s sat directly on the Steel Beams. It was not a wall constructed with a sole plate. History on this type of construction suggests convection-based air flow for summer cooling.
The wall, floor studs and joists relative to the I-beam had settled / shifted. The wall studs on the southwest were supported by only 1/8 inch on the edge of the 2 x 4, Had the I-beam shifted another 1/8 inch or the 2×4’s splintered the upper floor, and roof would have fallen into the first floor.
The octagon portion was vacated. To assist the I-beam a 2×6 wall was added for upper floor support.
Projects
- Install Safe electrical supply.
- Install Stairwell
- Upgrade Support Structure Framing
- Tuckpoint wall interior