Garage wall is leaning

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

We converted a bonus room over the garage into an apartment 3 years ago. We more than doubled the size by making dormer walls (see photo). Now the right front corner wall of the bottom garage is leaning by about 1 - 2 inches. I've contacted the contractor to see what can be done. I suspect the lack of a center post due to the single garage door may be problem in the weight distribution. I consulted a foundation guy and he said it appears to be a framing problem. The concrete floor of the garage is now cracking in the center front. What can be done to stop the progression of the front corner from moving even further outward? https://www.flickr.com/photos/155795217@N08/albums/72157687064355190 Would adding a center beam with footing underneath and converting to double garage doors fix the problem? Can the corner be pushed back in?

Note: all other corners are fine and are not breaking down.

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Comments (5)

PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
8 years ago
It looks like a structural issue, you should contact a structural engineer to see what needs to be done.

It looks like the footing under garage is settled and the wall shifted because of it. Most likely you will need to underpin the footing because of all the weight on top of it and straighten out the framing.
mazelady
Original Author
8 years ago
Foundation guy is going to add pins or piers (can't remember what he said) along both sides of the corner. If that is fixed, what will the framers likely do?
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
8 years ago
I'll bet the header over the garage door was never resized for the addition. I'll bet it was never permitted or inspected either. If this is the case, it's going to be an expensive fix.
User
8 years ago
Cheap hacks strike again. Low price bidder, right?
Milly Rey
8 years ago
Structural engineer. My bet is that not only will the header have to be properly sized, but you'll have to open up the garage ceiling to reinforce it.