Can Your Home Handle a Second Story?

If you require more space, but can’t expand into your yard, then your only option is to add a second floor. However, you’ll need to consider if your home’s foundation can handle such a project. The only way to know if it can, or what it requires for more stability, is to hire a remodeling contractor to check your home’s current foundation and see what kind of structural reinforcements are required to support another story. 

Check Your Home’s Foundation Capacity

Before planning a second story addition, you’ll need to check your home’s current foundation. To test the capacity of your home’s foundation, you’ll need to consult an engineer. If your foundation can handle the extra load of a second story, then you can start your second story addition project.

However, if your home’s foundation cannot handle a second story addition, your home remodeling contractors may suggest tearing down the house to build a stronger foundation to serve as a base for your remodeling project. Otherwise, you’ll need to abandon the project since it is unsafe to build a second floor without a stable foundation. Other than your capacity’s foundation, you’ll need to check the condition of the foundation walls and depth of the foundation elements, and then you can move on to the next phase.

Inspect Your Foundation

It’s just as important to check your foundation’s actual condition when you’re planning to have a second story addition. You can’t move on if you find cracks on your foundation walls or if there is basement flooding. If there are cracks present, you’ll need to repair it since it will not be able to withstand the extra load. In other cases, you’ll need to add new columns for stability. It’s also important to ensure that mold isn’t present since it can weaken the foundation and is hazardous to your health.

Design Build Remodeling Group of Maryland is one of the most trusted home renovation and kitchen remodeling contractors in the area. With our exceptional services and professional team, we’ll make sure your whole-house remodel runs smoothly from start to finish. We proudly serve suburban Maryland and Washington, DC. Call us today at (443) 300-2268, or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation. We’d love to hear from you!