What's Under the Siding? The Secret Life of Cornices
As a homeowner, there are few things more daunting than receiving a notice from the city that your facade is in violation of License and Inspection codes. But don’t panic and think that you have to rebuild brick by brick from the ground up. With the help of a design professional and a trusted contractor, the issue can be pinpointed and addressed with precision and expertise. In a historic city like Philadelphia, having someone who specializes in historic preservation can also be a huge leg up! Solutions like star-bolts and helifix ties (check out our last podcast for more info on that topic!) exist, but in this episode we discuss overall structural remediation.
We sat down again with Melanie Rodbart of J&M Preservation Studios, to discuss everything from structural remediation project management to the secret life of cornices! Melanie brings over fifteen years of experience as an engineer and has managed dozens of projects involving the structural analysis and stabilization of existing buildings, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Why is it important to hire a design professional? Firstly, they will make sure that you’re in compliance and also not going over-board with the scope of the repair. The designer or architect will be responsible for defining a tight scope of work that is code compliant and monitoring that the work is done properly throughout the complete project. The contractors will be responsible for picking up the permit. The design professional will come up with the drawings and technical specifications to satisfy the city and remove the violation in the smoothest way possible!
Let’s also talk about cornice repair! Cornices often fall due to lack of maintenance or access on the part of the homeowner. You should be checking cornices regularly from the ground level to prevent any accidents from happening! A design professional will have the tools and knowledge necessary to investigate why the cornice fell including material failure, deterioration, leaking or underlying problems with the roofing.
Design work can also lead to finding hidden treasures! While our Agent Lydia’s house was getting structural remediation done, the contractors actually found a gorgeous wood carved cornice underneath the vinyl siding! What a find. Siding can often be a sign of papering over an existing problem. Luckily, Lydia and Melanie worked to find a craftsperson who repaired the missing and damaged portion of the cornice that led the previous owner to install siding to conceal the issue.
If you need structural remediation, reach out to Melanie Rodbart of J&M Preservation Studio at info@JMpreservation.com. If you’re looking for a great contractor, reach out for our vendor’s list!
