The following were all done to the cottage, here is the list: rebuilt all exterior 2×4 walls, all new HVAC, all new electrical, new LVL’s in place, reframing of new kitchen, reframing a new first floor bedroom and bathroom and master bedroom and bathroom, all new exterior doors and windows. We were just getting ready to schedule insulation and drywall when……… OUR COTTAGE FLOOR FLOODED!!!!
It happened during a July thunderstorm that dropped 3 inches of rain in one hour. The cracks in the concrete slab started to ooze water everywhere. The water table is quite high along the west shore where our cottage is located. There was really only one solution, and that was we had to raise the 2200 sq. ft. cottage .
Jim being the master engineer, googled flying buttresses. It was 4×4 wood supports and a lot of bracing to keep the structure intact as we slowly raised it. The original exterior stone fireplace had to be cut away from the house so the the cottage could be raised. Many 2×4’s, and 4×4’s were used with GRKs to keep the two story structure in tact. We use approximately 32 automotive bottle jacks on the exterior walls and the interior center bracing. A laser level was used to shot level up the walls between the front of the cottage and the back of the cottage. With the help of our contractor friend Rich and our best friends Rick and Wendy along with our two girls and Josh, we spent the entire weekend slowly raising the 2200 sq. ft. structure. Here are some of the pictures from the interior and exterior of the Cottage Lift.
After about three weeks and moving our oldest daughter into college, we started on the foundation. a two block high foundation while the cottage was lifted.
From start to finish the foundation project took at least 2 months, but we have a new foundation!!!