Benton Rehab Tree Root Experiment and Damage Update

Day 5 in the Benton Rehab Roof Project uncovered some interesting hidden gems in the roof system.  In the photos below you can view the extensive tree Stump and Root Ball that started out as a sapling years ago and was left to its own accord.

Benton Rehab Tree Root Experiment-How Far Did the Roots Grow when left unattended?

Experiment to see how far a tree root will grow when left unattended for 10 plus years.  Benton Rehab Roof Project

The photo is of the tree's root ball that was growing in the built up roof system.  While this was not the only culprit as to the roofs demise in the past 10 years it has led to the steady degradation of the roof system.

Note: Part of the reason we left this tree and root system intact was so that we could trace the roots to ensure it was removed completely from the wall and roof system-eliminating a tree restarting from its roots.  Its also part of an:

Experiment to see how far a tree root will grow when left unattended for 10 plus years.

Note Added May 1st 2013- I found a tree root growing down into this section of wall yesterday.  I believe the tree root started this crack in the wall long ago and as the Invasive Tree Root grew it widened the crack in the wall.  When we replace this section of the wall.  We will find out more.  Stay Tuned for further updates.

This last photo was included to show the before tuckpointing the parapet wall. [And the saplings that are attempting to gain a foothold] Required step before installing the new roof system of: Bar Joists, Pan Decking, and Concrete Topping.

Photos added May 1, 2013

Additional Tree Root Photos and the Damage They Caused

We traced the Invasive Tree Root for another 10 Feet and found the tree root had followed the top course of Masonry alongside the Parapet Wall.

I did not actually measure the Tree Root and am going to venture to say the Invasive Tree Root had grown to a distance of 15-20 feet in length and followed the top course of brick alongside the Parapet Wall.

Additional Benton Rehab Stage 2 Project Green Blog Postings

• Scotts Contracting Green Team Celebrated Earth Day 2013 by Starting Stage2 Benton Rehab Project:Replacing Water Damaged Roof on the Benton Warehouse
• Benton Project Stage 2 Dismantling Roof Demolition

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Repairing Water Damge-Exterior Wall-Benton Project

Our Safety was the first thing in order on this stage of the project.

We ensured this by utilizing the Temporary Support Posts seen in the photo below.   Because the water damage to the: 2x6 Wall Framing, Sheeting; was so severe we used 5 Temporary Support Posts in a 6ft Square Area.  One post held up the Buildings Roof and Overhang; while the remaining were used to hold up the 2nd Floor Floor Joists.

1. Add Support Posts 5 Total
2. Carefully Remove Water Damaged Lumber
3. Dig 2 Piers
4. Set Sono Tube and Rebar
5. Fill with Concrete
6. Allow to Cure
7. Fix the 1st Floor Floor Joists and Attach to the New Band Board with Joist Hangers
8. Build the 2x6 Exterior Wall
9. Repair the water damaged floor boards
10. Add Exterior Sheeting 
11. See Upcoming Blog Post on 2nd Floor Framing and Adding Support Beam

In the Photo Below-

What were they thinking? See the Blog Posting by Clicking here.

Exposing the Water Damaged Wood Prior to Repair

Good View of the Support Posts used to Stabilize the 2nd Floor and Roof

Directly above the Ladder in the Photo below- notice that there isn't a Support Beam under the 3rd Floor Floor Joists.[Cantilevered Floor Joists]   Granted the Building had stood for 100+years.  But we decided to add a Decorative Beam across the Entire Rear of the Building.  See Future Blog Posting: Framing the Second Floor.

1st Floor Wall Framed and Sheeted onto the Second Floor. 

See More of the  

Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Part 12: Water Main Repair- Benton Rehab

Part 13: Benton Rehab Project Drywall Installation and Tip: Number 1172

Part 14: Custom Flooring Patch Hardwood Floor Repair-Benton Rehab

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

How to Repair Water Damaged Stucco-Interior Wall

Water Damage Interior Wall Repair

Step 1: Remove Damaged Areas
Step 2: Patch with Wall Repair or Concrete Patch
Step 3: Trowel Smooth using Steel Trowel
Step 4: Sand High Spots to create uniform wall patch
Step 5: Finish to Match Existing Wall
Step 6: For this project I mixed sugar sand with the Paint and Rolled the mixture onto the wall-
Step 7: Repaint the Area to create a uniform Finish




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Additional Photos can be found on Scotts Contracting Picasa Web Album